Liverpool say Villa not a target

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez ruled out making a move for Spain striker David Villa on Thursday.

Benitez, who has allowed striker Peter Crouch to join Portsmouth, had been linked with the Valencia player who starred at last month's Euro 2008 finals.

"I said the other day that Villa is one of the names we had on our list, but I can say at this moment that it is not an option for us," Benitez told Liverpool's Web site.

"We know Villa is a very good player, we know the price and we know the players we have, so when you consider everything we decided he was one of the names but, at this moment, not our target."

However, Benitez confirmed that a move for Tottenham Hotspur's Ireland striker Robbie Keane is a possibility.

"Keane is one of the other names and OK we are still working with other names. We were in contact and we will see now," he said.