The List to Dump for Liverpool’s Revival Process

Liverpool has gone through an immense amount of change in the past year; new ownership, Fernando Torres gone, arrival of some big names and big flops…after an impressive transfer period, the Reds appear ready to change up the squad to get back into contention amongst Europe’s elite teams. Some players will arrive, some will certainly have to go. Here’s who the Anfield faithful should start waving goodbye to:

1. Milan Jovanovic: Though the winger arrived on a free from Standard Liege just over 6 months ago, it’s time for the Reds to get any value they can out of the 29-year-old Serbian flop. He’s been atrocious since his arrival and if anything, they can try to sell the winger back to Liege or listen to “supposed” interest from Wolfsburg. Jovanovic is not worth the long-term contract he was given and the sooner the men in Liverpool jerseys can free up a spot on the bench, the better.

2. Fábio Aurélio: The 31-year-old winger back is well past his prime now. He’s starting to become injury prone and a back-line that has conceded a not-as-respectable 32 goals in 27 league games, the defense needs shoring up if they are to become part of Europe’s elite again. Plus, the club signed Aurelio on a free, too, so getting a tidy transfer fee for a player on his down years is a plus for John Henry and the gang.

3. Sotirios Kyrgiakos: Another 31-year-old defender for the Reds has performed decently at times, however, he never has been truly Premier League quality. When Liverpool seem desperate, Dalglish has employed the Greek international to become a target man and he’s largely failed at that role, too. Really, most of the backline needs help. It starts with replacing some pretty average players with some players of quality.

4. Joe Cole: It seems as if Cole has been letting age get the best of him. The 29-year-old England International has had 2 pretty awful past seasons (one with Chelsea, now halfway through his Reds season) and is now becoming an injury prone mess. Though his talent is undoubtedly good when he’s on form, it’s been a few years since this occurred. And no, Steven Gerrard. Joe Cole is not “better than Messi”. Maybe Blackburn could purchase the downtrodden “speedster” with all the rumors about Kaka flying into the Rovers this summer. Yeah, right.

Written by: Chris Behrens, soccerpro.com