And Andrea Dossena's own-goal just before the break consigned them to defeat and saw the USA qualify instead.

BBC: Italy 0-3 Brazil

They have already drafted in Philipp Degen, fellow full-back Andrea Dossena, goalkeeper Diego Cavalieri and teenagers David Ngog and Emmanuel Mendy.

BBC: Liverpool complete Keane transfer

Italian left-back Andrea Dossena could also leave Anfield, while Reds midfielder Sebastien Leto is on the verge of a move to Greek side Panathinaikos.

BBC: Johnson completes Liverpool move

But Gerrard's introduction breathed new life into the Reds and he beat keeper Morgan de Sanctis to an Andrea Dossena backpass to net an equaliser.

BBC: Liverpool 3-1 Napoli

Poulsen tried to make amends for his error be slipping a ball through to Ngog but the young striker could only side-foot wide under pressure from ex-Reds left-back Dossena.

BBC: Liverpool 3-1 Napoli

However, when Dossena struck a backpass too tamely, Gerrard pounced and his bravery was rewarded as he beat Sanctis to the ball and got his team back on level terms.

BBC: Liverpool 3-1 Napoli

Newspaper reports have linked the Dutch pair with loan moves to Liverpool, while speculation has also focused on the possible departures from Anfield of Andriy Voronin, Andrea Dossena and Philipp Degen.

BBC: Liverpool reject Birmingham's ?8m bid for Ryan Babel

Brazil doubled their lead when Fabiano dinked over the onrushing Buffon from close range and just before the break Dossena turned Robinho's low cross from the left into his own net for 3-0.

BBC: Italy 0-3 Brazil

But with Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez recently revealing he did not have a lot of money to spend in the transfer market, Johnson's arrival is likely to see some players leave the club, with full-backs Alvaro Arbeloa (Real Madrid) and Andre Dossena (Juventus) being linked with moves away from Anfield.

CNN: Johnson poised to complete Liverpool move