Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers hopes to be given the green light to bring Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso back to the club. The Mail on Sunday says Rodgers will try to find out from club owner John W Henry if he is prepared to invest in an over-30s player after missing out on top target Henrikh Mkhitaryan who is joining Borussia Dortmund from Shakhtar Donetsk.

Rodgers is interested in Xabi who is still revered on Merseyside but £10million for a 31-year-old is against Henry's model.

Liverpool have already signed 32-year-old Kolo Toure this summer, as well as Luis Alberto from Seville, Iago Aspas from Celta Vigo and Sunderland goalkeeper Simon Mignolet for a total of around £23million.