More on Brendan Rodgers in Rome: Liverpool Echo ranks five players we could be scouting

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Brendan Rodgers has been in Italy, but will he be raiding Serie A any time soon…

We revealed earlier today that Brendan Rodgers is in Rome this week, with several sources suggesting that the Liverpool boss could be eyeing up a move for Roma’s Miralem Pjanic.

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The Liverpool Echo has now gone one step further, claiming that the Northern Irishman could be eyeing up a move for any of five players currently starring for the Serie A giants, or their neighbours Lazio.

Don’t get too excited though, as neither side have actually played a game since Monday.

However, we thought we’d still take a look at the players in question and discuss whether or not any of them would actually suit a switch to Anfield next season. After all, Rodgers must be there for some reason!

First up is Pjanic, the Bosnian midfielder who has been massively talked up by many Liverpool fans over the last 24 hours. The 24-year-old played a starring role in his country’s short-lived World Cup campaign last summer and has proven quality.

He joined Roma from Lyon in 2011, and has since shown that he can play both just off the front man and in a deeper lying central role – making him a potential candidate to replace our departing captain, Steven Gerrard.

Next up is Radja Nainggolan, described as  ‘strong, intelligent and great on the ball’ by the Echo. The 26-year-old is slightly more defensively-minded than Pjanic, but would add some useful grit and determination in the centre of the park.

Adem Ljajic has also been mentioned, having arguably been Roma’s stand-out player so far this season – scoring eight goals in 15 starts. He’s still only 23 – making him a Rodgers kind of signing – and has a €25m buy-out clause in his contract.

Then we’re getting more into the outside bets… like Antonio Candreva, who has scored 23 goals in 102 league games for Lazio. He enjoys playing in a wide role, but can also play just behind the striker, making him an asset which could be beneficial in our 3-4-3 formation.

Keita Balde Diao is the final name on the list, and one that has been linked with us in the past. The 19-year-old Lazio star came through the ranks at Barcelona and is definitely one to watch over the coming years.

If it’s none of those, we can just assume Rodgers was enjoying a brief mid-season break.

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