Source: Telegraph
Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has just £1.5 million to spend
According to the Express, Benitez's dealings so far this year mean the Merseyside club has made a profit of at least £10 million. Substantial sums came in following the sales of Xabi Alonso (£30m) and Robbie Keane (£16m) yet Benitez has been left unable to bring in replacements for crucial positions.
Aware that the Spaniard will have to sell before he buys, the situation may well leave Liverpool susceptible to losing further players from what is already a depleted squad, with Barcelona understood to have moved their interest in Javier Mascherano on to Albert Riera and the futures of Andrea Dossena and Andriy Voronin hanging in the balance.
Despite promises of an annual £20m kitty from owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks, it seems that yet again Benitez must battle against budget constraints and may therefore have no choice but to part company with the likes of Riera.
With Daniel Agger suffering with a back problem, Liverpool are in desperate need of another centre-back before the end of month deadline comes around. Benitez is also understood to want a new winger with the ability to operate as a stand in striker.
With a number of his current squad having worryingly little experience in the top flight, Benitez is considering making a move for Hull City's Michael Turner, Bolton's Gary Cahill and Real Madrid's Ezequiel Garay - all of which look likely to come to nothing due to financial constraints.
Liverpool have also lost the services of Alvaro Arbeloa and Sebastien Leto this summer, but following the sides 2-1 loss at White Hart Lane at the weekend, it seems one man's absence is being felt more than anyone elses.
"Alonso was here for four or five years, he had a great record and played really well for us last season," said Brazilian midfielder Lucas, who has been given the unenviable task of filling the void left by the Spaniard. "Of course we all miss him but we cannot do anything."
