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

By Richard Aikman in Football Spy

Published 08:35 25/10/09

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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)

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