The players Liverpool must sell this summer and the clubs that will buy them
As Liverpool's owners FSG and Kenny Dalglish prepare for their first full season in charge at Anfield, the challenge of assembling a squad they feel can compete for trophies is not just about signing new players.
At the same time as identifying talent they would like to bring in, the club needs to offload the deadwood that's costing hundreds of thousands each week in wages. That's easier said than done, when players are on big money and other clubs know that Liverpool want to sell. TalkSPORT looks at six players Liverpool would like to wave goodbye to…
Milan Jovanovic
Signed for: Free
Reported wages: £60,000 per week (£120,000 per week for first 12 months of his contract, including signing on fee)
Can Liverpool make a profit on him? Doubtful. FSG would be glad just to get Jovanovic off the wage bill.
Who can Liverpool sell him to?
The Liverpool Echo report that Jovanovic has attracted interest from Greek side Olympiakos leading the chase for his signature. “Up to now, I still haven’t received an official offer from Olympiakos, but I am looking forward to hearing their plans,” he said.
DAVID N'GOG
Signed for: £1.4m
Reported wages: £38,000 per week
Can Liverpool make a profit on him? Almost certainly.
Who can Liverpool sell him to?
Sunderland have seemingly dropped their interest in N'gog after signing Connor Wickham from Ipswich, but the Echo claim both Aston Villa and Fulham are keen on signing the French striker.
Joe Cole
Signed for: Free
Reported wages: £90,000 per week
Can Liverpool make a profit on him? Possibly, with Cole on a four-year contract, although with his wages they may have to settle for finding a club willing to take him off their hands.
Who can Liverpool sell him to?
talkSPORT have been informed that Tottenham are set to renew their interest in Joe Cole - if Luka Modric is allowed to go to Chelsea. See the full story here: talksport.co.uk
Christian Poulsen
Signed for: £4.5m
Reported wages: £50,000
Can Liverpool make a profit on him? No chance!
Who can Liverpool sell him to?
Danish club FC Copenhagen were interested in the Denmark captain, but sadly for Liverpool fans Christian Poulsen’s agent quashed talk of a move back to Denmark and there doesn't appear to be a queue of clubs lining up for his services. “Christian really likes life at Liverpool, both on and off the field,” his agent told Denmark's biggest football website, bold.dk. “He has a contract for another two years and will continue working hard to secure more playing time.”
Paul Konchesky
Signed for: £3.5m
Reported wages: £40,000
Can Liverpool make a profit on him? Highly unlikely. Instead, they will attempt to claw back as much of the £3.5m he cost in 2010, but a figure of £1.5m seems more realistic.
Who can Liverpool sell him to?
Fulham were rumoured to be considering a move for Konchesky, but appear to have switched their focus to ex-Red John Arne Riise, leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers as the most likely destination for the left-back. The Express & Star, however, claim that Mick Mccarthy's priorities lie elsewhere.
Alberto Aquilani
Signed for: £20m
Wages: £80,000
Can Liverpool make a profit on him? Er, no.
Who can Liverpool sell him to?
After a deal with Juventus fell through, Aquilani has returned to Anfield for pre-season training. The Daily Star report that Liverpool are trying to engineer a cash plus player swap deal for Tottenham's Aaron Lennon, with Spurs potentially looking to replace Luka Modric. Wishful thinking?