Ruud swoop ruled out

Liverpool's hopes of landing Real Madrid striker Ruud van Nistelrooy in January have improved after Arsenal pulled out of the race.

Rafa Benitez has been linked with a controversial move for the former Manchester United ace as he seeks a striker to play alongside Fernando Torres at Anfield but he faces stiff competition from across Europe for the Dutchman who's fallen down the pecking order at the Bernabeu.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has been linked with the striker but the Frenchman admits a move is unlikely to happen following a number of bust ups when he was a Manchester United player leaving the way a little clearer for the Reds.

West Ham's Carlton Cole is another striker who has been linked with a £20m move to Liverpool in the New Year but the Hammers do not want to sell and he also has an injury which is currently keeping him out of the Hammers side.

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