Paper talk: Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Javier Mascherano leaving Liverpool, Arsenal in for Russian and all of Sunday's transfer rumours and gossip

With Liverpool hosting Manchester United today it is no surprise to find the newspapers focusing on the meltdown at the Anfield club.

Further to MirrorFootball's piece on Fernando Torres ' possible departure from Liverpool , there are suggestions that Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard could also be on his way as the Reds' American owners George Gillett and Tom Hicks struggle to find a buyer for the Merseyside club (Daily Express)

Javier Mascherano has reportedly refused a new deal as his mood darkens following Liverpool 's miserable start to the season and Rafa Benitez 's summer refusal to allow the Argentina midfielder to join Barcelona in January. Given the parlous state of the Reds' finances Mascherano could be off to the Nou Camp as early as this January (The People)

Benitez will become a lame duck if Liverpool lose their fifth successive match at the hands of Manchester United this afternoon. The Reds will not sack the Spaniard as they cannot afford to pay him off, as he recently signed a new contract, but will bid him adios if the Anfield outfit fail to secure a top four finish this campaign. (News of the World)

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson may decide not to play Wayne Rooney against Liverpool today - even if the England striker is fit to start at Anfield. Ferguson is considering leaving Rooney, who is 24 today, on the bench as he fears his suspect temper may boil over in what promises to be a fraught derby. (Mail on Sunday)

And elsewhere...

Arsenal want to sign Spartak Moscow youngster Zhano Ananidze - the teenager hailed as the new Georgi Kinkladze. The 17-year-old Georgian became the youngest player to score in the Russian Premier League when netting against Lokomotiv Moscow last week at the age of 17 years 8 days and is firmly on Arsene Wenger 's radar. (News of the World)

Chelsea are considering an £18m move for Napoli 's attacking midfielder Marek Hamsik if their transfer ban is lifted in January.

Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier is in line for a dramatic return to the Premier League with Birmingham City . Initially Houllier will be invited to become involved in a senior advisory job, working alongside manager Alex McLeish, but Big 'Eck's position is said to be under scrutiny from the Blues' new owner Carson Yeung. (News of the World)

Chelsea , Manchester United and Arsenal have been shocked after being told they will have to pay £86m to land Porto 's Brazilian striker Givanildo Vieira de Souza (Sunday Express)

Struggling Portsmouth face yet more off-field intrigue with news that two businessmen are to throw the club a £15m lifeline . Pompey have changed hands twice in the last three months, but now Israeli mogul Levi Kushnir and Balram Chainrai, a Hong Kong-based businessman of Nepalese extraction but with a British passport, are set to become the power behind the throne by making a short-term loan. (Mail on Sunday)

Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has turned down the chance to join Portsmouth as assistant manager. (News of the World)

Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp has been invited to end his career at Bournemouth . Cherries chairman Eddie Mitchell said: "He is a legend here and we would love to have him around." (Sunday Express)

Have you heard any more intriguing transfer gossip? If so, log-in and post your news and views here.



Which classic football manager are you? Take our test

Follow MirrorFootball on Twitter for breaking news, the latest opinions and fun stuff throughout the day

Get the best priced tickets to the best games at Mirror Tickets.

Win two tickets to see Fulham vs Man City with Mirror Football.

Your comments

Related content

Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Thurssday's papers
    Chelsea transfer special: who will join in the summer - and who will leave?
      Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Wednesday's papers
        Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Tuesday's papers
          Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Monday's papers
            Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Sunday's papers
              Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Saturday's papers
                Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Friday's papers
                  Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Thursday's papers
                    Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Wednesday's papers

                      Latest opinions

                      Blog

                      Transfer news, rumours and gossip from Thurssday's papers

                      Football Spy 09:51 18/03/10

                          From today's Daily Mirror: Chelsea planning dream team pairing of Drogba and Torres  Abramovich will... Read More+

                          Blog

                          Fulham on the way out of Europe? Juve got to be joking!

                          Mirror Football Blog 09:00 18/03/10

                              Fulham will take on Juventus at Craven Cottage faced with the ominous task of trying to overturn a 3... Read More+

                              Column

                              Has Randy Lerner really got value for money at Villa?

                              James Nursey 08:02 18/03/10

                                  Aston Villa have once again become a force in English football under Martin O'Neill, but they surely... Read More+

                                  Column

                                  Alex McLeish has proved to be Mr Motivator to keep Birmingham on track

                                  James Nursey 08:01 18/03/10

                                      When Birmingham controversially went out of the FA Cup quarter-finals at Portsmouth, I feared the cl... Read More+

                                      Column

                                      Hull fans should beware Derby's cautionary tale after Brown sacking

                                      James Nursey 08:00 18/03/10

                                          Adam Pearson has once again shown his ruthless streak by axing Phil Brown - and Hull fans must hope ... Read More+

                                          Column

                                          The full-backs shouldn't be the fall guys for Arsenal

                                          John Cross 06:02 18/03/10

                                              Arsene Wenger has pulled off a minor miracle this season even by keeping Arsenal in a three-horse ti... Read More+

                                              Column

                                              Whoever finishes fourth deserves it, but I hope it's Spurs

                                              John Cross 06:01 18/03/10

                                                  Liverpool are still in with a shout of fourth place, and if they finish in the Champions League plac... Read More+

                                                  Column

                                                  We need Mourinho back in England but would he really go to Liverpool or Manchester United?

                                                  John Cross 06:00 18/03/10

                                                      Jose Mourinho was pure theatre this week when he returned to England with Inter Milan.The sooner the... Read More+

                                                      Blog

                                                      Chelsea transfer special: who will join in the summer - and who will leave?

                                                      Football Spy 23:00 17/03/10

                                                          Following their ignominious Champions League exit at the hands of Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan, Chels... Read More+

                                                          Blog

                                                          Rocket science, own goals and bouncebackability - The life and times of Iain Dowie

                                                          Football Banter 16:24 17/03/10

                                                              Following the dismissal of Phil Brown, Iain Dowie has been appointed Hull City manager.Dowie: I'm re... Read More+

                                                              Blog

                                                              3PM Extra: The best videos we've found on the internet today - Wednesday, March 17

                                                              Football Banter 15:08 17/03/10

                                                                  It's almost Guinness o'clock! But if you've already exhausted our amazing St Patrick's Day Irish foo... Read More+

                                                                  Blog

                                                                  St Patrick's Day special: See amazing unseen pictures of Irish football legends

                                                                  Mirror Football Blog 14:25 17/03/10

                                                                      It's St Patrick's Day! And what better way to celebrate than by re-living the careers of five of the... Read More+

                                                                      Does Carlo Ancelotti now have to win the title to keep his job?

                                                                      Blogs & Categories