Rafa to bid for Downing

Liverpool and Rafael Benitez are preparing to make a £10M bid to sign Middlesbrough's Stewart Downing.

Stewart Downing has penned a new five-year deal with Boro just five months ago, but it will not stop Rafa in making an attempt to swoop the midfielder.

Liverpool are short of a left sided midfielder after the departure of Harry Kewell, Riise is set to leave the club in no time. The inside sources say that the Spanish boss is a keen admirer of Downing.

The Kop is trying to re-build the squad and add more quality players to ensure a better performance in the league next season. They have already signed Swiss ace Philipp Degan and is set to sign Udinese full-back Andrea Dossena next week.

Benitez have also captured Dutch prodigy Vincent Weijl stealthly. The AZ Alkmaar striker is yet to sign a professional contract as he is only 17.

Liverpool has allowed their 19 year old winger, Paul Anderson to join Forest on a loan deal till the end of season.