HAMANN SURPLUS TO REQUIREMENTS

DIETMAR Hamann is the surprise name that will lead a dramatic - and costly - Anfield clear-out.

New Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez has already identified eight players he deems surplus to requirements at the club - and the German is the most high-profile casualty.

The Spanish coach is ready to ruthlessly prune the squad assembled at great cost by Gerard Houllier.

Benitez will not tolerate the expensive misfits who ultimately cost Houllier his job. Even though Liverpool will be forced to take take some painful losses, the 44-year-old is ready to act tough.

Emile Heskey has already been sold at a near £9m loss and £5m misfit Bruno Cheyrou is all set to join Marseille, either on loan or a permanent deal.

African player of the year El Hadji Diouf is also on the way out, after handing over his No.9 shirt to new arrival Djibril Cisse, with Lens and Malaga looking for a bargain basement deal on a striker who cost £10m just two years ago.

Diouf's Senegal international colleague Salif Diao, a snip at £5m, will follow, as will young French midfielder Alou Diarre who, ridiculously, has never even arrived at Anfield despite being signed by Houllier two years ago.West Brom have lined up a move for another French defender, Djimi Traore, while Liverpool will listen with great intent to anyone who is prepared to take £7m Croatian Igor Biscan off their hands.

Markus Babbel and Gregory Vignal are also set to leave and Benitez will consider offers for Czech international Vladimir Smicer, who is interesting Portsmouth and Lens.

But it is Hamann who is the one surprise choice for the chop.

The German is a favourite of the fans but Benitez believes that his influence is too negative on a side he wants to move forward more swiftly, and more decisively.

Hamann cost £8m and the club is unlikely to recoup much of that. In total, Liverpool could take a loss of £40m on their list of unwanted players.

Benitez is hoping to replace Hamann in the Liverpool midfield with Spaniard Xabi Alonso - pinching him from the clutches of Real Madrid.

The Madrid giants thought they had lined up the Real Sociedad star in a £7m deal but Liverpool are ready to pounce while Madrid are tied up with their presidential elections.

England's Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves has also been targeted as a possible replacement, as has the Spanish coach's previous captain at Valencia, David Albelda.

Mirror