We knew about Dos Santos, but Eto'o? Methinks there are some mind games on the go here....
Rafa plans raid for Barcelona duo
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is being linked with an ambitious summer raid for Barcelona duo Samuel Eto'o and Giovanni dos Santos.
The Reds and Barcelona - the two most recent winners of the Champions League - are preparing to face one another at the Nou Camp in a last-16 first-leg tie next Wednesday.
Speculation in Spain has linked controversial striker Eto'o with both Liverpool and Chelsea, while Benitez is also believed to be planning a summer move for 17-year-old Mexican Dos Santos.
The Reds have increased spending power following the takeover by Tom Hicks and George Gillett and are set to launch a bid for the unsettled pair when the transfer window re-opens.
Dos Santos is regarded as Barca's hottest youth product, and Benitez knows he is set to gain his Spanish passport next month.
The youngster almost joined Lyon in the transfer window and has been frustrated by his lack of first-team chances since being promoted to Frank Rijkaard's senior squad in pre-season.
The talented midfielder is contracted to Barca until 2009, with a buy-out clause of £20million.
Meanwhile, Anfield legend Ian Rush believes Benitez is just the man to handle such high-level transfer dealings.
Rush told Sky Sports: "We have progressed from last season - and we must look to progress again.
"It is just as important to get players out as it is to get players in. That is the art of management.
"It is not just about an open chequebook - 'Rafa' is not that sort of manager.
"He is the right manager for the job now and he is the right manager to get new players in.
"We now have to rely on the manager's talent, with the knowledge that the money will be available if needed."
Rush also believes Benitez holds the upper hand as the Barca clash approaches, because Liverpool do not have a game this weekend - while the Catalans face a tough trip to Valencia on Sunday.
"It will help Liverpool that they have not got a game this weekend - they are in Portugal training, while Barcelona will be playing," the former Wales forward noted.
"By the time the Barcelona game does come around, Liverpool will be physically and mentally tuned-in for the game."
One Liverpool star looking forward to the showdown more than most is former Barcelona goalkeeper Jose Reina, who played for the club against Liverpool at Anfield in the 2001 UEFA Cup semi-final.
Reina later joined Villarreal before his move to Liverpool in July 2005.
He said: "Going back to the Camp Nou will be very special for me. It makes me happy, not just because it's Barca - but because it's a fantastic venue with great people and great fans.
"I don't feel I have anything to prove, going back there. I want to win, but not because I want to get revenge or anything like that. If I'd spent 10 years there it would have been brilliant, but that didn't happen. I have no regrets.
"I spent two years there and took a lot of positives from that spell. I learnt a lot and will be grateful to the club for the rest of my life."
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