The Llorente rumour heats up

On this day, in the aftermath of the Napoli 3-1 win, Jamie Carragher says Gerrard is Liverpools best player ever. On the other hand Roy Hodgson says Liverpool cannot keep relying on Gerrard brilliance.

Today also Tom Werner was appointed new chairman of the club, saying he is positive about the ide of a 39th game in Premier League abroad.

The hottest prospect in the transfer market right now, being linked with Liverpool, is Athletic Bilbao star Fernando Llorente. Reports say that he is expected to replace Fernando Torres, if he leaves in January.

Speculation is rife that Torres will quit Anfield in the middle of another disappointing campaign, with Manchester City, Chelsea and Barcelona all linked with him, Talksport writes.

Liverpool won't allow Torres to leave without having a replacement lined up, and his international understudy is the man at the top of their list.

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The 6ft 5in striker, who has scored seven times in 12 appearances for Spain, is nicknamed ‘the Lion King’ in Spain and has a growing reputation both in La Liga and around Europe.

But if the Reds are to pull off a deal for the 25-year-old, new owners New England Sports Ventures may have to meet the €36million buy-out clause in his Bilbao contract.

Another story that has been developing the last few days is that of the young Belgian international Eden Hazard.

He has been admired by Arsene Wenger for many years, but now it seems that Liverpool have joined Arsenal in a bid to take him to Anfield in January.

France Football reports that the 19 year-old was originally thought to be bound for the Emirates, but Liverpool’s new Director of Football, Damien Comolli, has also made contact with Lille as he has been tasked with finding a talented playmaker to assist Fernando Torres at Liverpool, LiverpoolFCNews.net reports.

According to GiveMeFootball.com the attacking midfielder, who often plays in the wing positions, is being courted by Manchester United, Arsenal and Lyon.

Serie A outfit Inter Milan were also thought to be keeping tabs on the player, but former Reds boss Rafa Benitez has dismissed the claims of a potential 2011 bid.

Dubbed 'the little Messi' by Lille boss Claude Puel, 19-year-old Hazard has made 80 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit already. He also has Europa League experience, as well as international recognition with 16 caps thus far for Belgium.

Lille are struggling financially and it is reported that they would accept any reasonable offer over 13m euros for their young star, but it now remains to be seen whether Arsenal or Liverpool want him the lost.

When it comes to the interest in Dutchman Ibrahim Afellay it seems Liverpool is not the only interested club.

The Dutchman’s contract with PSV Eindhoven expires at the end of the season and he has made it clear he does not wish to sign a new deal.

Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson reportedly traveled to the Netherlands to watch the 24-year-old with a view to signing him while Arsene Wenger also wants to lure Afellay to Arsenal.

However, reports in Spain are now suggesting Jose Mourinho will launch a January bid to bring then highly rated youngster to Spain, GiveMeFootball reports.

But the player himself has already admitted he would love to play in the Premier League, handing the initiative back to Arsenal and Liverpool.