Liverpool Special: Striker Hunt Throws Up Some Interesting Names, But Will Money Talk?

It was hardly the most stunning statement ever made by Rafa Benitez, but still the content of it - and the fact that it came from the man himself - will have resonated sharply with Liverpool fans.

"If we want to have money available," said the Spaniard yesterday, "we will have to sell some players.

"We have to sell expensive and buy as cheaply as possible."

Two words stand out more than any. The repetition of the word "have" indicates that, as expected by most and ignored by many, Benitez has his hands tied with regards to transfers at the club. Despite regularly being accused of blowing vast sums of money on players, Benitez has always been in a position where purchases have needed to be offset by sensible sales in the transfer market.

The second word that will send shudders through Reds fans surely is "cheaply". Not smartly. Not sensibly or prudently. Cheaply. Allowances can be made for the fact that English is not Benitez's first language, but the message is undeniable. Liverpool will be looking to cost-cut.

Reassuringly, Benitez also stated that he would quit the club if he was forced to sell prized asset Fernando Torres, but the fact that Liverpool's finances appear to be so prohibitive at the moment remains a worry. And one that the Reds, in rotten form this autumn on the pitch, could well do without.

With little more than six weeks until the transfer window re-opens, speculation is already mounting as to who will be in Benitez's crosshairs come January 1st. Newspapers have already begun compiling their own lists, and some of the names they have turned up are intriguing.

West Ham United's Carlton Cole is very much en vogue at the moment. The 26-year-old has emerged from years of mediocity, following his arrival on the scene at Chelsea, to become the focal point of Gianfranco Zola's Hammers project, and an outside bet for England's World Cup squad.

Happy Hammer | Cole is thriving at Upton Park

Cole combines height, physical presence and aerial ability with a surprisingly assured touch, and his finishing ability is improving fast. Liverpool have been linked, but Cole's M.O. sounds very similar to a certain David Ngog, who has already proven his worth for the Reds this season. With Cole likely to be valued around the £12 million mark, a move to Merseyside seems a non-starter.

More likely, perhaps, is a loan move for Tottenham's Russian misfit Roman Pavlyuchenko. The 27-year-old from Mostovskoy has seen his career grind to a halt since his eye-catching performances for his country at Euro 2008, and has publicly stated that he will be looking to leave White Hart Lane in January.

Tottenham are unlikely to recoup the £14 million fee they paid to Spartak Moscow last year (and Liverpool are unlikely to offer such a sum), but with Pavlyuchenko desperate to leave, and earning a hefty wage packet, a loan move would not be out of the question.

For Liverpool, the benefits of such a deal would be clear. Pavlyuchenko may have stuttered in north London, but his pedigree is good. It is worth noting that even in a 'poor' season last term, he managed 14 goals in all competitions (although a sizeable chunk came in the Carling Cup). His record for Spartak was nothing short of prolific, and Spurs' poor campaign last year means he is not cup-tied for European competition.

The latest name, and arguably the most exciting, to be linked with a move to Anfield is that of Arsenal's Croatian ace Eduardo Da Silva. The 26-year-old was reported last weekend as being unsettled at the Emirates, and looking for more regular first-team football.

Whether Liverpool, with Torres, Steven Gerrard and Alberto Aquilani all fit, would be able to offer that is questionable. The Brazilian-born Eduardo's finishing skills would be a great addition to Liverpool's attack, but would he prefer to swap a north London bench for a Merseyside one?

Obviously at this stage these rumours are exactly that - rumours. Some question whether Liverpool, with Ngog and Ryan Babel emerging from the shadows with telling contributions in recent weeks, even require another forward. It is known that Benitez did not pursue such an option in the summer, due to financial constraints, but the Reds' recent poor run may well have forced him to reconsider.

Whether Benitez plunges into the transfer market or not, his words this week should stop Liverpool fans from getting too carried away with their expectations. The Reds' signings this winter may be more January Sales than Christmas Crackers.