Liverpool Transfer News: Latest Major Rumours Circling Reds and Brendan Rodgers

Liverpool have placed Karim Benzema "top of their wish list" according to reports, with Brendan Rodgers ready to make a "£50 million bid" for the Real Madrid striker.

David Wright of the Express reports that ambitious January plan, which could see the side's goalscoring troubles quickly disappear.

Spanish journalist Manuel Esteban previously said that Benzema's future at Madrid is on "thin ice," per La Goleada (h/t Ben Jefferson of the Express), but recent comments from Madrid president Florentino Perez suggest Rodgers still faces an immensely difficult task to lure the Frenchman away from his Bernabeu home.

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"Unless there are extraordinary circumstances, we will not bring reinforcements in the winter transfer market," said Perez, reported by Wright.

Therefore, it is unlikely Los Blancos will let Benzema leave. A world-class replacement would be needed, but it makes very little sense for Madrid to cash in halfway through what is shaping up to be a highly successful season for Carlo Ancelotti's men.

As noted by B/R UK, Benzema is highly thought of by his current team-mates:

WhoScored.com tweeted exactly why:

Rodgers' quest to improve Liverpool's attack may result in a move for Porto's Jackson Martinez. Tottenham Hotspur "will make a serious move for Martinez" after Christmas, according to Record (h/t Hannah Duncan of Metro).

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101 Great Goals tweeted an image of the aforementioned Portuguese newspaper's back page:

Liverpool certainly need to act quickly and in an authoritative manner to snap up a player of Martinez's calibre. Last January, the club failed to sign exciting players such as Mohamed Salah and Yevhen Konoplyanka, two stars who could fit into Rodgers' cut-and-thrust way of playing.

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A goalscorer is desperately needed, especially considering Mario Balotelli and Rickie Lambert have netted just one Premier League strike between them this season. Squawka highlighted the team-wide scoring problem since Luis Suarez's departure:

It's questionable whether Benzema or Martinez would be willing to swap guaranteed Champions League football and domestic success for Liverpool. Rodgers' men face a real battle to make Europe's elite competition next season and are currently seven points off that all-important fourth place.

Aston Villa's Fabian Delph may be a more viable target, reported by James Nursey of the Mirror. Nick Sutton of BBC Radio 4 also tweeted the newspaper's headline:

Delph is the kind of driving midfielder who could inject energy into Liverpool's play. Steven Gerrard and Lucas Leiva have struggled with lethargy this season, but Delph's box-to-box nature could see possession brought upfield with greater urgency.

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The Englishman needs a move to further his international credentials and could interlink well with intelligent players such as Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho. Available on a free transfer at the end of the season, Rodgers may be wise to sneak in with a cut-price bid during the January transfer window to ensure Delph isn't snapped up by a rival club.

Victory is needed over Arsenal on Sunday if Rodgers is to receive some respite from the press. Joe Bernstein of the Daily Mail suggested failure to beat Bournemouth on Wednesday would have seen the Northern Irishman dismissed. Liverpool managed to get through that Capital One Cup tie with a 3-1 victory, but the pressure will return in full force if Arsene Wenger's side escape Anfield with three points.

This is particularly poignant after Liverpool's 3-0 loss to Manchester United, a fixture in which they created plenty of chances but were still well beaten. A turning point in their season is needed.

A huge win, the return of Daniel Sturridge or the acquisition of proven world-class talent could make the difference. Football pundit Janusz Michallik detailed exactly what business the Reds need to do in January to improve:

Liverpool's summer spend broke the £100 million mark, meaning endless funds aren't going to be made available after Christmas. Benzema or Martinez arriving seems highly unlikely right now and any potential deals could go the same way as Alexis Sanchez, who opted to move elsewhere.

If bids are made and accepted, it's likely more attractive offers will be made by other clubs, a problem Rodgers may continue to face if Liverpool's struggles continue.