Babbel set to return to Germany

Liverpool defender Markus Babbel is on the verge of a return to his native Germany with Stuttgart.

The 31-year-old is undergoing a medical after the two clubs agreed the terms for his move.

Babbel returned to Anfield at the end of last season when his loan move to Blackburn came to an end.

The former Germany international scored six goals in 73 appearances for Liverpool following his 2000 move from Bayern Munich.

He battled back from a debilitating illness which threatened his career and ruled him out for most of the 2001/2 campaign.