Fighting for a bit of elbow room at the bar of The Transfer Tavern Joe Bernstein at the Daily Mail blurts out, that Liverpool midfielder Javier Mascherano is “pressing for a move” to European champions Barcelona.

Joe claiming that a “stand off between” Reds boss Rafa Benitez and the Argentine International has thrown the Merseyside clubs “title plans into disarray”.

It said the pair “fell out” at the end of the last campaign after Benitez “rotated” his Anfield squad and left Mascherano “out” of some pivotal fixtures in the Premier League. Bernstein claiming that 25-year-old Mascherano “is now pressing for a move” to the Blaugrana and is “flattered by reported interest” from the Nou Camp.

The paper saying that Mascherano is regarded as one of Benitez’s “untouchables” at the Premiership club, but his “attempt to force his way out” of Liverpool, has “stunned” the Spaniard and left him “to re-think” his strategy in the transfer market this summer.

Benitez having once been “willing” to let Xabi Alonso leave for Real Madrid for “£35million” now having to think again after missing out on Gareth Barry to Manchester City. The former Valencia coach, knowing “he cannot afford” to lose Alonso and Mascherano if Liverpool, are to win the Premier league for the first time.

So what sort of beverage caused the writing of this one from the Daily Mail? Is the Argentine enforcer really about to force his way out of Merseyside? Should this rumour Fly or Die?