Liverpool in talks for Real's Van der Vaart

Liverpool are reportedly considering a summer move for Real Madrid and Dutchman Rafael van der Vaart.

Club officials met in Madrid before Liverpool's Europa League semi-final against Atlético Madrid on Thursday, with Real taking the opportunity to try to offload several players deemed surplus to requirements by the club president, Florentino Perez. Liverpool were interested in Van der Vaart, who was offered despite forcing his way into Manuel Pellegrini's plans this season, in a deal that would see Real recoup much of the €13m they paid Hamburg in 2008.

Van der Vaart laid low by thigh injury

Van der Vaart sustained an injury after damaging a thigh muscle in his left leg in Real's La Liga match at Real Zaragoza on Saturday, the club said on their website (www.realmadrid.com).

Van der Vaart, who was replaced by Raul after a quarter of an hour of Real's 2-1 victory at the Romareda, is an important part of the Dutch team that will compete at the World Cup in South Africa starting in June.

Real did not say how long he would be sidelined or whether he would be available for any of their remaining four league matches.