Liverpool are aiming to trump Everton for their on-loan Real Madrid midfielder Royston Drenthe. The Guardian says Liverpool are prepared to negotiate directly with Real in order to keep the 24-year-old out of the clutches of their city rivals.

Should Kenny Dalglish formalise his alleged interest in Drenthe, Liverpool are likely to have more negotiating power than Everton, having demonstrated their sizeable financial clout in the summer.

Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing, Alexander Doni, Jose Enrique, Sebastian Coates and Craig Bellamy all moved to Anfield during the transfer window to the tune of over £50 million.