AC Milan are making a concrete move for Liverpool centre-forward Andy Carroll. Milan chief Piersilvio Berlusconi confirmed his admiration for the Geordie ace last week.

And both the Berlusconi-owned Sportmediaset and the Corriere dello Sport say the Diavolo will try to tempt Liverpool with a year-long loan offer for the 23-year-old.

Worryingly for Carroll was new Reds boss Brendan Rodgers' 'proud' declaration last week that he is ready to play next season without a striker in the style of Barcelona and Spain.