Reds could secure a number of very good players on free transfers providing they don’t extend their current deals…
The Liverpool Echo has compiled a list of 22 players all of whom have contracts expiring at the end of the season.
As a result, we could sign them on a Bosman free transfer come January, meaning they’d arrive at the end of the season – or even sign them permanently in January for a likely reduced fee.
We’ve ranked them from 22-1 in order of how good a free transfer signing these stars would be for the Reds.
22) Danny Ings (Burnley)
Age: 22
Doesn’t have the ability to transform Liverpool’s fortunes in attack, unfortunately.
21) Sebastian Giovinco (Juventus)
Age: 27
Once highly rated, the atomic flea would likely struggle to adapt to the Premier League because he’s so lightweight, and has poor work-rate. Not an improvement on what we already have.
20) Stefan Reinartz (Bayer Leverkusen)
Age: 25
The German can do a solid job in either defence or midfield, but excels in neither.
19) Yohann Gourcuff (Lyon)
Age: 28
Hugely talented, but a horrendous injury record is why Lyon are unlikely to renew his contract, and why we probably shouldn’t sign him either.
18) Ignazio Abate (AC Milan)
Age: 28
No fuss Italian right-back who’s been with AC Milan his entire career. A slight improvement on Glen Johnson, perhaps.
17) Maxi Pereira (Benfica)
Age: 30
Similar to Abate. Decent addition for the short-term, but we should be aiming higher.
16) Ron Vlaar (Aston Villa)
Age: 29
Rated so much more highly since the World Cup, Vlaar is a terrific leader and very powerful. Wouldn’t be a blockbuster signing, but could be an astute one.
15) Klaas-Jan Huntelaar (Schalke)
Age: 31
Would be a great addition if we could sign him in January, but next summer we should be fighting for strikers who are not past their best.
14) Fabian Schar (FC Basel)
Age: 22
Talented young centre-back. Arguably though, Schar is too similar to Dejan Lovren in that he prides himself on his technical ability over natural defensive qualities.
13) Yevhen Konoplyanka (Dnipro)
Age: 25
So close to a move to Liverpool last January, the Ukrainian has not performed to the same level he was since missing out on the move. Not a huge improvement on what we already have, but potentially a strong squad player – and a natural winger to boot.
12) Neto (Fiorentina)
Age: 25
Neto’s part of the Brazil squad now, and (assuming Victor Valdes won’t sign) he’s the best keeper we could snare on a free next summer. Most fans would want a slightly bigger name though to replace Simon Mignolet.
11) Andre-Pierre Gignac (Marseille)
Age: 28
He’s scoring goals for fun in France, but his total lack of pace probably wouldn’t suit Rodgers’ style.
10) Nigel De Jong (AC Milan)
Age: 30
The Premier League winner provides a combative and defensively solid influence to the base of midfield, and would be a good player to use in bigger, feistier matches.
9) Fabian Delph (Aston Villa)
Age: 25
Delph would be best used as a rotation option for Jordan Henderson, as he provides energy and dynamism in the middle.
8) Karim Bellarabi (Bayer Leverkusen)
Age: 24
The chance to sign an exciting recent German international on a free should never be missed.
7) Winston Reid (West Ham)
Age: 26
Premier League proven and relentlessly solid. For no transfer fee, it’s a no-brainer.
6) Stephan Lichtsteiner (Juventus)
Age: 30
A proven defender of European pedigree, the Swiss would solve our right-back problems for a few seasons at least.
5) Luiz Adriano (Shakhtar)
Age: 27
This season’s Champions League top scorer, Luiz Adriano is a potent finisher and would dramatically boost our current forward line.
4) Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan)
Age: 26
Italian international and captain of Inter Milan aged 26. Chelsea have been heavily linked in the past.
3) Andre Ayew (Marseille)
Age: 24
A real fireball in attack, Ayew has excelled in Ligue 1 this term and provides both goals, pace and assists from the flank.
2) James Milner (Manchester City)
Age: 28
The underrated England international would be a great addition, but is likely to extend his City deal.
1) Sami Khedira (Real Madrid)
Age: 27
In 2014, Khedira’s won a World Cup and a Champions League – but the likes of Arsenal and potentially Bayern Munich are also interested in his services.
