Manchester United are monitoring Patrick Vieira's situation at Juventus.
The Sunday Mirror says Juve general manager Luciano Moggi has already told Liverpool that the Frenchman could be made available as part of a deal which would see Steven Gerrard move in the opposite direction - only to be told that there was no chance of the Reds cashing in on their skipper.
Now Benitez will drop his interest in Vieira, 29, unless Juventus decide that the midfielder is still surplus to requirements - something which seems increasingly likely if the Turin club fail to clinch the Serie A title.
Liverpool would face stiff competition from other Premiership clubs should Vieira officially be made available just 12 months after quitting Highbury in a £13.75million transfer to pursue his dream of winning the Champions League.
Sir Alex Ferguson has twice been close to taking Vieira to Manchester United and is currently in desperate need of a powerful figure in central midfield.
The Sunday Mirror says Juve general manager Luciano Moggi has already told Liverpool that the Frenchman could be made available as part of a deal which would see Steven Gerrard move in the opposite direction - only to be told that there was no chance of the Reds cashing in on their skipper.
Now Benitez will drop his interest in Vieira, 29, unless Juventus decide that the midfielder is still surplus to requirements - something which seems increasingly likely if the Turin club fail to clinch the Serie A title.
Liverpool would face stiff competition from other Premiership clubs should Vieira officially be made available just 12 months after quitting Highbury in a £13.75million transfer to pursue his dream of winning the Champions League.
Sir Alex Ferguson has twice been close to taking Vieira to Manchester United and is currently in desperate need of a powerful figure in central midfield.
