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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of his desire to strengthen this month.

His Reds side are firmly in the hunt for the all-important Champions League places, and with the right additions could kick on in the second half of the campaign.

Here's our guide to everything Liverpool related in the gossip columns and rumour pages of Thursday's papers and around the web.

Thursday's Liverpool transfer stories from the Daily Mirror

One man who won't be joining Rodgers' Reds revolution is Sidney Sam.

The Bayer Leverkusen midfielder had been linked with a move to Anfield, but quashed those rumours yesterday once and for all, confirming he has instead decided on a move to Schalke.

The 25-year-old's deal expires at the end of the season and will move to the Veltins Arena for free.

It is the latest blow to Rodgers in his quest to add some depth to his squad, with reports circulating that target Mohamed Salah is ready to snub the Reds in favour of a move to Zenit St Petersburg.

The Egyptian Messi has been strongly linked for several weeks but the 21-year-old could be Russian-bound with the moneybags club indicating they are willing to double any offer to secure the FC Basel man's services.

Thursday's Liverpool transfer gossip and rumours from other news and websites

There will be no fairytale return for Anfield hero Xabi Alonso after he agreed a new deal with Real Madrid.

The Spanish international's name has been commonplace around the back pages in recent weeks with reports suggesting he was ready to leave the Bernabeu when his contract expired in the summer.

But the 32-year-old took to Twitter late last night to confirm he would be staying in the Spanish capital for a further two years at least.

The Daily Mail report that the Spanish giants were forced into giving Alonso a pay rise of £1.65million after strong interest from Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

Another name who has seemingly turned his back on a move to the red side of Merseyside is Ivan Rakitic.

Rodgers is believed to be a big fan of the Croatian midfielder but has seen his hopes dashed by the news the 25-year-old wants to remain at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan and extend his deal.

"Right now I’m only passionate about Sevilla – I’m not concerned with any other team in another country," he is quoted as saying by talkSPORT.

"Since the beginning of this season I have taken the responsibility as captain and my family gives me strength, courage and will."

He added: "There is no tension over my renewal because there is still one and half years left, but since the club have taken this gesture (to try to renew), it is a great honour for me."

In better news for Reds fans the club are reportedly hot on the tail of Rakitic's fellow countryman Sime Vrsaljko.

The Genoa right back would command a fee of around £10million and according to SportsDirect News is being closely monitored by Rodgers and Co.

Reports in Italy suggest Rodgers is impressed with his versatility, with the 21-year-old comfortable in playing all the way across the back line.

The Reds may have to act fast to get their man though with Inter Milan also keen.

Another who could soon be bolstering the back line is Senegalese international Cheikhou Kouyate.

(Image: Julian Finney)

The Anderlecht youngster has the caught the eye with some strong performances and his representative Saffet Balkan says the Reds and Premier League rivals Arsenal have been in contact.

"I have been in talks with representatives from Liverpool and Arsenal over Cheikhou Kouyate,” he told Turkish-Football.com .

"Arsenal are very interested in Kouyate. It’s very likely that he’ll be joining a Premier League club soon.”

One man passing him on the way out of Anfield could be Italian forward Fabio Borini.

Currently on loan at Sunderland Borini is being eyed up by Serie A club Udinese as a replacement for retiring Antonio Di Natale.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport the 22-year-old is the man earmarked as the ideal man to follow in Di Natale's shoes at the Stadio Friuli.

With Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge in fine goalscoring form Borini may see his future away from Anfield.

Whether Rodgers would be willing to part with the man he paid £11million for just 18 months ago.

Click here for all the latest, breaking Liverpool transfer news.