Liverpool FC: Joe Cole and 9 Other Players Who Should Leave This Season

Hey, back again. Who'd have thought there were so many topics to write about in preseason? Fun times indeed.

Anyway now that Liverpool have not so much wheeled and dealt, but spent all their money, they are going to start thinking about selling some of the surplus players in the squad in order to balance the books and bring in more players.

Here's a list of 10 players who I think should be waving goodbye to Anfield this season.

Oh, and also, this isn't just a list of players who should be sold; I'm also bringing loans into this. Considerate, aren't I?

1. John Flanagan

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One of the stars of last season, without a doubt and in order for him to stay as a quality player, he needs first-team action and unfortunately Liverpool can't give him that this season.

Glen Johnson and Martin Kelly have that sufficiently covered.

I'd be very happy to see him in the team, but I don't know whether he'd do well sitting on Liverpool's bench. A season-long loan to a high level Championship team or a lower level Premiership team would greatly benefit his career.

2. Dani Pacheco

Pacheco for Norwich last season
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Pacheco was one of those ones I was unsure about, again of course it's a loan deal Liverpool needs to be giving him, as selling a talent like Pacheco would be a great shame.

But at the moment, his position is well taken with at least five players able to fill it.

Last season, Pacheco went on loan to Norwich and was apparently fantastic, so a return there may do him good—a team he knows and a chance for Premiership experience as well.

3. Jonjo Shelvey

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The same story as Pacheco really, except Shelvey does have some Premiership experience.

But he has yet to look too impressive, and I think he does need some first-team action in the Premiership, which will be key to him being in the squad for the future.

As long as he can prove he can play in the Premiership (I don't doubt that he can) then he'll be a very good choice next season.

 

4. David N'Gog

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Send him on loan...I know, I know, but hear me out. He's not the...worst...striker in the world! God, that was hard to say anyway, the only reason he's seemed poor is because he's been associated so closely with Liverpool's failures.

That's because the only other striker that Liverpool had was Fernando Torres. He scored a lot, but couldn't be Superman and score a hat-trick every game and eventually got injured—meaning that an inexperienced striker had to fill that role.

Rant over. However my point does stand, he need to get some confidence and maybe go on loan to a big-ish team, like Sunderland for example, who he nearly went to as part of the Jordan Henderson deal.

5. Milan Jovanovic

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I know he's already left for greener pastures, and I for one am relieved. Not only for Liverpool but for Jovanovic, too; he never looked comfortable at Liverpool and was never really a part of Roy Hodgson's plans.

He was a striker who was used a winger for the few games he played; no wonder he didn't look comfortable.

Anyway, he's been on my list of people to go for a while and I doubt anyone thought differently.

6. Christian Poulsen

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Oh God, get him out: let him leave on a free, cancel his contract, sell him to a non-league team—I don't care, just never let him play for Liverpool ever again.

7. Phillip Degen

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The same story, really. When he first arrived I honestly thought he was a youth prospect—it doesn't matter if he makes a mistake, he's got time to learn. He's 28 now, and still makes the same mistakes.

The best he can hope for is the reserves at Liverpool and the more money we can get from him, the better. £20 will do.

8. Brad Jones

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I didn't mind having Brad Jones on the bench; he was reliable enough between the posts and made a few good saves during the beginning of the season.

However, he's fallen down the pecking order at Anfield with Gulasci taking the second-choice role towards the end of last season.

Also, the purchase of Doni this season means Jones will no doubt be leaving very soon.

9. Nabil El Zhar

Half of you are now going, "who?" And the other half are going, "he still plays for Liverpool?!" Yes he does, although why is beyond me.

El Zhar was bought in 2006 and was supposed to be a hot prospect but never really impressed. He was always one of those players that you saw on the bench every game and wondered why he never got a game. Until he did.

El Zhar is another player Liverpool just doesn't need—and I doubt ever did.

10. Joe Cole

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I was excited when Cole signed for Liverpool last summer, and it was a real shame that he didn't fulfill the hype surrounding him.

Again, its just the fact that Cole's just not needed this season. Like Dani Pacheco, there are just too many better players who can play their position.

As much as I like having Cole in the squad, his wages just don't match what he'd do this season. I hope he has better success at another team—as long as he doesn't score against us.

The End

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So there we have it, 10 players Liverpool could do without this season. If you have any comments feel free to make your voice heard just below.

Thanks for reading and I'll get back to being over-excited for the new season. Yippeeeeeeeeeeee.