Liverpool FC Players That We Wouldn't Miss If They Left in the January Window

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We all know that January is rolling around quickly, and the rumours and speculation about who's going where snowballs by the day.

With all the incoming players that Liverpool have been linked with, it got me thinking about who might leave Anfield in the new year, either temporarily or permanently.

Here are my thoughts on who I think we could survive without, and the players I'd like to see replace them.

All prices are in English pounds sterling (GBP), and the prices mentioned are figures I would expect the player to trade for and are not official.

Jay Spearing

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As much as I like Jay Spearing for being a local Liverpool lad and a hard worker, I just don't see him ever becoming part of the Liverpool first team if we're wanting to propel ourselves back into the Champions League places.

His commitment and desire on the pitch can always be commended, but I feel Liverpool should take some money and allow him to play elsewhere.

Do you think he's good enough? If you even have to think about it, then he definitely isn't.

Decision: Sell for between 3-5 million GBP

Replacement: Yann M'Vila, likely costing 20 million GBP

Martin Skrtel

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With the arrival of Sebastian Coates recently, I don't think Skrtel is assured of a match-day squad place anymore.

I do believe Liverpool need another central defender to replace the aging Carragher, so why not cash in on the Slovakian and put the money towards the likes of Mats Hummels?

Having someone like Hummels alongside an optional partner of Agger or Coates would be more than sufficient, and Liverpool would likely recoup all, if not more than the 6.5 million GBP they paid for Skrtel in 2008.

At 26, Skrtel would be a good age and prospect to a lot of Premier League teams if he wanted to stay in England.

Decision: Sell for 6-10 million GBP

Replacement: Mats Hummels, who would be expensive. I would expect a cost of at least 25 million GBP for his services.

Glen Johnson

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I know there is a divide amongst supporters over Glen Johnson, but I believe that Martin Kelly should start ahead of Glen Johnson every week.

If that were to happen, Glen Johnson would become a very expensive bench warmer at 18.5 million GBP.

Real Madrid are reported to be interested in Johnson, so I say let's take the money and run. He's a great attacking defender who can't actually defend very well.

Decision: Sell and hope to recover 15 million GBP

Replacement: A right back isn't required with Martin Kelly and Jon Flanagan waiting in the wings, but Liverpool should look to invest in an attacking midfielder such as Nicolas Gaitan. However, recent reports suggest he could cost as much as 40 million GBP.

Maxi Rodriguez

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Despite switching his shirt number from 17 to 11 in July of this year, Maxi seems surplus to requirements at Anfield now.

New boys Charlie Adam, Stuart Downing and Jordon Henderson have made it difficult to see a way back into the first team for Maxi (not due to their performances I might add), and Liverpool should consider taking some money for him and reducing their wage bill.

Having been signed for "free," any profit would likely be considered good business, and at the age of 30, his value is only going to decrease from this point onwards.

Decision: Sell for 3 million GBP

Replacement: None. Put the money towards the other replacements mentioned.

Danny Wilson

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My fear is that Danny Wilson will become a forgotten man at Liverpool, which would be a waste of talent and money.

Able to play centre back or left back, Wilson is another youngster who is going to struggle with first-team opportunities it seems.

Definitely able, but yet to produce his best when playing for Liverpool, why not let Wilson learn about the Premier League at another club this season?

Decision: Loan

Replacement : Not required

Lucas Leiva

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If your argument for keeping Lucas Leiva is that he plays for Brazil, then let me stop you there. Brazil, whilst still an amazing international team, are not the force they once were.

Lucas has certainly improved from his initial days on Merseyside, but that still doesn't warrant him gaining a first-team spot at Liverpool.

Now 24, Lucas could be sold for 10-15 million GBP if we found the right buyer, making decent profit from the 5 million we paid in 2007.

That money could go a long way towards securing a better quality of player. How about one Lucas for another?

Decision: Sell for 10 million GBP

Replacement: Taking into account the other proposed replacements I've listed, look at Lucas Moura as an attacking option. Given some rumours on the internet though, the figure could be in excess of 50 millon GBP.

Summary

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I'm sure people who have read this far will be stating how unrealistic the replacements I've listed are for Liverpool, but as I stated at the beginning, they are who I would like, not necessarily who we could get or afford.

Football is a strange game in that for every 20 or so transfers a club makes, usually only one real gem is unearthed. We had it with Torres and now with Suarez, but we never had the chance to pair them together, which is a real shame.

Without the resources that teams such as Chelsea, Real Madrid or Manchester City can turn to, it is extremely difficult to put together an all-star team on a restricted budget.

I don't know how much spending power Liverpool have right now, or even how much of it they are looking to use in January, but if just one of these deals were to come off, it would be a step in the right direction.

Thanks for reading.

 

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