Don't believe any of the speculation you read in tabloid rags like the mirror. they might be right 1 out of every 100 times with there stupid transfer predictions.
There's absolutely no reason for rafa to HAVE to buy english players. The fact is, he knows the Spanish market very well and has already signed quality players from there. English players are overpriced while Spanish players are available at bargain prices.
Example: Rooney 27 million, Alonso 10.6 million.
As for SWP, i dont see lfc buying him but he is a quality player. He'd be too expensive at 15million.