Liverpool's Benitez eyes Ghana star Kuffour

MUNICH, Germany (AFP) - Premiership big guns Liverpool want to sign Bayern Munich's Ghanaian defender Sammy Kuffour according to reports in the local German media.

Spanish coach Rafael Benitez wants to bolster his backline for the new season and has reportedly lodged a four million pound (7.2 million dollar) bid for African stopper Kuffour.

The 27-year-old Kuffour, who has been at Bayern since 1993, is no longer a permanent fixture in the first team after the 12 million euro arrival of Brazilian World Cup winner Lucio in the close season.

Kuffour is keen on a move away from the Olympic Stadium and Munich are willing to sell the former African Player of the Year as his contract expires in June 2005 when they risk losing him for nothing.

Kuffour has made over 150 Bundesliga appearances for Bayern winning five German titles and the holy grail of the Champions League in 2001.