Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is said to be closely monitoring the situation of Hamburg ace Eljero Elia with the intention of swapping the flying winger for the out-of-favour Ryan Babel.

Elia has made an excellent start to life at the HSH Nordbank Arena after joining the Bundesliga outfit from Steve McClaren's FC Twente for £8million in July, with three league goals in ten appearances for his new club.

Like compatriot Babel, Elia favours the left wing, despite being right-footed, and is particularly effective when he cuts in from the channel, committing defenders before seeing them off with his lightening turn of pace.

And Elia, like Babel, is 22 years of age, but unlike the Reds winger, Elia has suddenly found himself in favour with Holland coach Bert van Marwijk, having only made his international debut in September.

The Hamburg star came off the bench to produce two assists in a friendly match against Japan that month, and four days later grabbed the only goal as the Oranje broke Scottish hearts in their crucial World Cup qualifier.

Babel meanwhile, finds himself in the international wilderness for the first time in four years owing to a lack of first-team opportunities at Anfield, and has made no secret of the fact that he is desperate to get back in van Marwijk's World Cup plans.

He has also reportedly clashed with Reds boss Benitez over his lack of starting berths, and it has even been hinted that he is looking for a way out of Anfield, with a move to the Bundesliga

Liverpool have apparently sent scouts out to watch Elia in action, and are hopeful that lumping Babel in on the deal will persuade Bruno Labbadia's side to accept a lower fee for their star attacker, according to German rag Bild.