Argentina skipper Javier Mascherano wants to leave Liverpool, the club's manager Roy Hodgson confirmed yesterday at the unveiling of the club's new signings - Joe Cole, Milan Jovanovic and Danny Wilson.
Hodgson has been speaking to the key figures in the team since taking over from Rafael Benitez at Anfield.
While captain Steven Gerrard has indicated he wants to stay, Mascherano is keen to leave, with reports linking the defensive midfielder with a move to join Benitez at Inter.
"Yes, he wants to leave the club," confirmed Hodgson when asked about Mascherano.
"He has made that perfectly clear. I think he wanted to leave a year ago. He wants to leave now but he is contracted to Liverpool so whether he leaves or not will be our decision."
Hodgson has had more positive news from Spain striker Fernando Torres, who has confirmed his intention to return to the club on Monday and to remain at Anfield.
Recent speculation suggested Torres was keen to play Champions League football this season, which Liverpool cannot offer, and was considering his options.
Hodgson said that was not the message the club had received from the Spain striker.
"As far as I know he is looking forward to coming back here; he is back on Monday," he said. "He is enjoying a holiday - a well-deserved break as he has not had one for three years."
Meanwhile, Cole believes Liverpool will benefit from his best years as a footballer and hopes that will coincide with the club ending their long wait for a Premier League title.
The former Chelsea midfielder's free transfer arrival at Anfield is seen as a significant coup by Hodgson.
"The target of a club like this is the number one place," Cole said.
"There was a lot of difference last season but we are starting afresh and we will be doing everything we can.
"When you play for Chelsea it (winning the league) was expected every year.
"When you come here the whole place is willing it to happen. You can feel that energy and I just want to do my best for the club and if that means we can put some pots on the table then that will be great."
"You just look at the history of the place and it is great that I am pulling on the same shirt as people like Kenny Dalglish, John Barnes - great players.
"I am 28 now and coming into my peak years and I want to be at a club where I am on the pitch as much as possible and helping the team to really do something special."