Mancini says he hopes to acquire Liverpool stars

London, Dec. 31 (ANI): Manchester City coach Roberto Mancini has said that he will make a move to recruit Fernando Torres and company if Liverpool finish outside the top four.

The Sun quoted Mancini as saying: "If they put Steven Gerrard, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres on the market, City will be interested. We at City will do everything possible to prevent Liverpool from finishing fourth."

Funds are already tight at Anfield and failure to make Europe's elite competition could force the club to sell their prized assets.

There are worries striker Torres and skipper Gerrard may quit without the Champions League to play for.

City would have to shell out more than #100million for Liverpool's biggest names, but that would not be a problem for the club's billionaire Arab owners.

Mancini has admitted he needs to bolster his defence through the January transfer window. (ANI)