Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez is planning an audacious double deal to bring Real Madrid's Rafael van der Vaart and Tottenham’s Roman Pavlyuchenko to Anfield in January.

The Spaniard is planning major changes to his underperforming squad, after one in win nine has left the Reds 11 points behind Premier League leaders Chelsea and on the brink of UEFA Champions League elimination.

According to the Daily Mirror, Benitez has enquired about the possibility of a loan deal for Russian misfit Pavlyuchenko, as his search for a striker to ease the burden on Fernando Torres continues.

The 27-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at White Hart Lane and revealed on Wednesday he was desperate for a move away from North London in order to keep his World Cup dreams alive.

However, one problem could be Harry Redknapp's reluctance to allow the Russia international to join up with their league rivals given that Spurs harbour hopes of breaking into the top-four this season.

"I don't think a loan's an option for him. He's cost a lot of money," Redknapp said last month. "Really, I wouldn't be loaning players out to other Premier League clubs in January."

However the £13.8million signing from Spartak Moscow could force a move and Redknapp could be interested if a future fee could be agreed.

Also understood to be on Benitez's radar is Dutch maestro van der Vaart, who could also be available on loan, as the former Valencia coach looks to bolster his attacking options.

The playmaker is desperate for a move away from the Santiago Bernabeu, after starting just one league game this season since the club's £220million summer spending spree.

Van der Vaart told De Telegraaf: "I do not know if I will stay at Real Madrid, but there are other options.''

Benitez will also try to tempt his former club Los Blancos with a loan for the former Ajax star, with a view to a permanent move in the summer.

Any loan deal for the pair would be welcome on Merseyside, with Benitez also planning to offload Italian flop Andrea Dossena to Napoli, as well as others, to help balance the club's wage bill.

However, Liverpool face stiff competition for the pair; with Chelsea, Ajax and Everton reportedly interested in van der Vaart and West Ham, AC Milan and Zenit St Petersburg mooted as possible destinations for Pavlyuchenko.