London, Jan. 2 (ANI): Dutch football stars Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Rafael van der Vaart could join Liverpool FC in what is being termed as a shock tactic to give the club a chance to make the last four in the Premier League.

According to The Sun, a decision on this could be taken over the next few days.It is a dramatic double swoop as under-fire boss Rafa Benitez desperately seeks to turn around a disastrous season.

Former Manchester United idol Van Nistelrooy, 33, is out of contract at the end of the season and is out of favour at Real and wants to resurrect his international career and go to the World Cup with Holland this summer. Rafael van der Vaart on the other hand knows that his first-team chances in Madrid will be limited as he is behind Gonzalo Higuain, Karim Benzema and Raul in boss Manuel Pellegrini’s pecking order.

The only remaining detail to be sorted out is whether Liverpool will pick up the hitman’s whopping 140,000-pound-a-week pay package.

Benitez wants Madrid to pay part of his salary but the Spanish giants insist on getting him off their wage bill.

Moving to Anfield gives Van Nistelrooy the chance to get regular first-team action and push his claim for a call-up.

The Dutchman knows he will have to take a pay cut to get a long-term deal at Anfield - but first he will have to convince the Merseyside club he can still produce. (ANI)