Liverpool FC confirm Italian interest in Plessis as Babel future remains doubtful

Rafael Benitez has confirmed that an unnamed Italian side have expressed an interest in signing Liverpool starlet Damien Plessis.

The 21-year-old had been linked with a move to the continent at the weekend after failing to cement a regular role in the Reds first-team and Benitez has revealed that potential suitors have been in touch with the club over the possibility of signing the French prodigy.

He said: "Plessis is a young player who isn't playing games. We were considering a loan but we're talking to the player and his agent.

"We had an Italian team asking about him and we'll see if we can find a solution that is best for him and for us."

Benitez also revealed that there have been no fresh developments on Ryan Babel's future at Anfield despite reported interest from Birmingham City, Marseille and Arsenal.

The 23-year-old's time on Merseyside has been tainted by a series of high-profile outbursts on micro-blogging site Twitter but the Spaniard hinted that the former Ajax star could leave the club before the end of the current transfer window.

"We are working with him, he is training with the team normally and we don't have any news," Benitez added.

"Maybe we'll have more news before the end of the transfer window."