Liverpool rule out player sales

Rafael Benitez is unlikely to approve any further sales of Liverpool players as his team struggles to cope with a growing injury list.

The Anfield chief has dismissed speculation winger Albert Riera and striker Andriy Voronin could be leaving, with Barcelona and Hertha Berlin, respectively, showing interest.

Riera was left out of the squad that lost 2-1 at Tottenham last Sunday, but Benitez maintains that was purely because of his lack of training last week due to a minor injury.

Voronin, who came on as substitute at White Hart Lane, was on loan to Hertha last season and there have been suggestions the German club are preparing a £3m bid.

But Benitez's current squad is hit by injuries and it has been revealed he has not been able to spend the transfer budget this summer he was expecting.

Benitez said: "Nobody will be sold because we need all our players. We can't afford to lose anyone else.

"The Premier League is very difficult and we have to keep everyone we have at the moment."

Both players are expected to be in the squad tonight to face Stoke at Anfield.

Liverpool are, however, closing in on a deal to sign AEK Athens centre-back Sotirios Kyrgiakos.

Benitez has been denied the funds needed to compete for the likes of Hull's Michael Turner and Stoke's Ryan Shawcross as well as Athletic Bilbao's Fernando Amorebieta.

But Liverpool can table a £1.5m bid for former Rangers defender Kyrgiakos and are hopeful of landing the 30-year-old Greek international.

Kyrgiakos began his career at Panathinaikos before joining Rangers on loan in January 2004.

The 6ft 4in defender's switch to Scotland was made permanent but he was released after his contract expired in July 2006.

Two seasons at Eintracht Frankfurt followed before he signed a five-year contract with AEK Athens last year.