Liverpool midfielder Yossi Benayoun agreed personal terms with Spartak Moscow in January.

The 28-year-old Israel international was on the brink of moving to Russia when he changed his mind after he was promised more first team football at Anfield.

"Benayoun was our prime target in the winter transfer window," revealed Spartak general director Valery Karpin yesterday.

"We needed a creative attacking midfielder of his calibre in our squad. He was ready to come and play for Spartak but in the end Benitez did not let him leave Liverpool."

After the deal fell through, Spartak manager Michael Laudrup turned to Brazil international Alex Meschini, who was bought from Porto Alegre-based club Internacional for £4.35million.