Rafa wants Scott Parker

Liverpool are ready with a £6million offer for the midfielder when the transfer window opens next month. Kop boss Benitez is gambling the debt-crippled Londoners may be forced to cash in, especially if they reject David Gold and David Sullivan's takeover bid.

The Spaniard urgently needs to shore up the spine of his team following the latest dreadful 2-1 home defeat by Arsenal on Sunday.

The Reds are out of the Champions League and only seventh in the Premier League, putting hopes of qualifying for next year's big Euro tournament at risk.

Parker is a ready-made replacement for unsettled Javier Mascherano, who looks set for a summer move to Barcelona. But the pair could play together for the last six months of this season.

Parker, 29, was West Ham's Player of the Year for 2008-09 and is admired for his combative personality combined with impressive passing skills to unlock defences.

Manchester City made a move for the former Chelsea star last January but the deal stalled late on.

Parker cost the Hammers £7m from Newcastle in June 2007 and earns more than £50,000 a week.