Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hopes to take the sting out of their row with Fulham over Clint Dempsey. The Sunday Mirror says Rodgers will ­personally intervene to ­attempt to solve the mess surrounding Dempsey and push through his ­signing before the transfer window shuts.

Sunderland and Roma are waiting to hijack the deal if Rodgers cannot smooth ­relations and Fulham refuse to sell to Liverpool.

Liverpool are unlikely to meet Fulham's £10m asking price, but could bid as much as £7.5m or attempt to structure a deal that would see Charlie Adam move to Craven Cottage.