Rafa Benitez’s side face a nail-biting race for that vital fourth place in the Premier League and remain alive in the FA Cup and Champions League. However, the papers seem far more interested in the number of players supposedly heading for the Anfield exit doors. Half the Liverpool squad is being sold, according to these rumours.

John Arne Riise is having a stodgy season and is high up the list for a move (various). Aston Villa are the most likely buyers for the £6m-rated Norwegian, who has been a great servant but the time is right for him to try another challenge.

Xabi Alonso has been linked with a £15m move out of Anfield for some time now. Varying reports suggest that either Benitez doesn’t rate the Spaniard any more or simply that the midfielder is homesick. Not sure who to believe on this one. Rafa is unlikely to sell the former Real Sociedad player unless he really wants to go. I am confident this is mere paper talk.

‘Torres has been shamelessly included in back-page gossip as a potential £40m target for any number of clubs, including Man United (crazy) and Spanish giants Real Madrid...'


Another Spaniard suffering at the hands of the tabloids is Fernando Torres who has been shamelessly included in back-page gossip as a potential £40m target for any number of clubs, including Man United (crazy) and Spanish giants Real Madrid, who have long been after the former Atletico Madrid striker. Let me make this clear, Torres is probably the least likely player to leave and this speculation is rubbish.

Javier Mascherano is another one who could be set to leave the club – that’s if you believe all you read! Juventus are ready to stump up the £18m needed to capture the midfield battler (The Guardian), and whilst it is far more likely he would opt for Serie A and not another Premier League club, it seems clear that if Messrs Hicks and Gillett come up with the cash then he won’t leave Liverpool.

The other players linked with moves away in the summer are numerous, but here is a quick summary of the rumours: Sami Hyypia chased hard by Celtic and Fulham (Daily Mail); Harry Kewell to leave for Everton or the MLS for free (various); Peter Crouch to Portsmouth for £8m to form a partnership with Jermain Defoe (various); Scott Carson to join Aston Villa on a permanent £9m deal (various) Of these, I think only the Carson one will actually happen.