Fool's Gold: Manchester City To Offer Liverpool Blank Check For Torres & Gerrard

What You Got?

Many would suggest that Liverpool are a two-man team. That may very well be turning into a no-man team. Manchester City are said to be setting to swoop in for the Liverpool duo of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard.

Manchester City are said to be willing to ask Liverpool to name their price for the attacking tandem.

Surely if Liverpool are to name their own price, manager Rafael Benitez may be tempted to cash in on his big named duo?

A Two Man Team?

So far this year Fernando Torres has managed to only played 14 games for Liverpool. In his last two years at Liverpool, Torres has struggled to sustain fitness. Torres has not had a summer rest since joining Liverpool.

He played for Spain during their 2008 European Championship campaign. Last year he travelled to Africa to play in the Confederations Cup with his national side and this coming year Torres is expected to return to Africa for the 2010 World Cup.

The young Spaniard, nicknamed El Nino, has failed to complete a season injury free for the Reds. In his first year he missed 5 games for Liverpool, while last year he missed out on 14 games, the lowest turn-out Torres has ever giving in his professional football career.

Torres will have a new career low in games this season unless he plays in the remaining 11 games for Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard has suffered with injuries also this year and has been hit with heavy criticism over his performances in red this year.

Last season Gerrard had a season low in appearances since taking over as Liverpool captain in 2003. Like Torres, Gerrard will create a new career low this season unless he trots out in the remaining 11 games for Liverpool.

Gerrard has been an outstanding success for Liverpool, since coming up from the youth academy 12 years ago, and has won every medal possible in the Liverpool shirt, with the exception of a league title.

Liverpool find themselves sitting in 6th place in the league, one point out from highly coveted 4th place.

Despite missing their two main play-makers for a combined 20 games, as well as missing other key team components, such as Glen Johnson and Alberto Aquilani, for long stretches of the season, Liverpool have remained competitive.

Only the top three teams have managed to win more games than Liverpool. Only the five teams that sit above Liverpool have scored more goals, despite their injury woes. While only Chelsea, Man United and Aston Villa have conceded less goals than Liverpool.

Even though Liverpool have been without key members of their teams, on top of the fact Liverpool where without their "only two real players" things are not as drastic as one would consider.

Take The Money & Run?

The burning question is should Liverpool consider selling there top "best" players in thirty piece of silver? Both Rafa Benitez and Liverpool fans alike know that the team is facing financial crisis. They both know that a new influx of players is needed. So does the sale make sense?

For the Liverpool owners, the money would be very much appreciated, but there is no chance that they can line their pockets if Liverpool decide to sell their top attacking threats.

Liverpool will lose great amounts of revenue due to their loss and they will have to bring in high priced names to replace Torres and Gerrard on the back of their shirts.

This Added To That Equals?

Liverpool are in a very comfortable position in the sense that they have the blueprint of the £80 million Ronaldo deal.

So the starting fee would be at least a replica of that £80 million. Plus, the fact Man City are in the same league, tosses an extra £20 million. Also, the fact that City have an endless pit of gold may add some inflation on to cost. So Torres fetches £100+ million.

Liverpool would claim that Gerrard is worth at least the same amount as Fabregas starting off. So the bid begins at £50 million, plus the fact he is English and the team captain adds another £15 - £20 million, rounding the fee at £75+ million.

Twelve years of services and a youth academy graduate along with his award at the end of the season last year would fetch Liverpool at least another £5 million. Conclusion is Gerrard goes for £75 - 80+ million.

So it is safe to assume if Liverpool use the same football transfer calculator that they could ask look in the region of £175 - £180+ million.

Who Is Left Chewing The Bigger Bone?

Man City would have to assume that the addition of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard would push them over the edge as far breaking the top four and sustaining team performances.

Liverpool would have many options. 175 - 180+ million options. Rafa Benitez has been hailed as the manager who won the Champions League with the worst ever team. He has built up a team from someone else's scraps, would he relish doing it from his own?