Steven Gerrard is ready to quit Liverpool for Jose Mourinho's Real Madrid, it has been revealed.

The Mail on Sunday says Gerrard's move to the Bernabeu has been advanced by the problems at Liverpool and the arrival of Mourinho at Real.

The talismanic midfielder will seize the opportunity to escape the turmoil at the club he first linked up with as a nine-year-old to become part of Mourinho's attempt to become the first manager to win the European Cup with three different clubs and the league title in four separate countries.

The Portuguese maestro's admiration for Gerrard has not wavered since his abortive attempt to sign him for Chelsea six years ago.

The only stumbling block will be whether Mourinho can persuade Real president Florentino Perez to pay the £30million Liverpool will demand for a player who reached his 30th birthday last Sunday.