Liverpool Transfers: 5 Players Reds Really Need to Sell Before Next Season

The transfer window is heating up, but Liverpool seems to be the only Premier League team not doing much thus far both in terms of signing new players and selling others away from the club.

While obtaining players is important, making space for incoming players is equally significant. It brings in cash for the club and it prunes away unwanted or unneeded players.

In order for Liverpool to be a successful team in the Premier League again, Brendan Rodgers is going to have to do some pruning.

Here are five players that really need to leave the club before next season. 

Joe Cole

Brendan Rodgers has told Joe Cole that he will be given a second chance at Liverpool (via Goal.com) next season after his season-long loan spell at Lille. 

While I'm all for second chances (*cough* Andy Carroll *cough*), Joe Cole simply isn't the man Rodgers is looking for to turn his side into contenders. 

Plus, Cole eats up an exorbitant amount of the wage budget; Rodgers needs to clear that out in order to attract classier talent.

Jamie Carragher

Now, of course I'm not suggesting that Carra move from the club because he is a living legend. He has been around for about a million years and will never leave the club anyway.

Instead, he should retire, pick up a coaching job under Brendan Rodgers and continue to help the team from the sidelines. Carra is becoming a liability in the backline and is struggling more and more to cope with the league's rapidity. 

I would love to see Jamie bossing the sidelines with Rodgers on matchday.  

Maxi Rodriguez

If Brendan Rodgers isn't planning on using Maxi Rodriguez like he should, he should let him leave the club so that he won't be left on the bench. Liverpool fans will also have one less thing to be infuriated about.

Inexplicably, Maxi was left on the bench for the majority of last season, despite being the best player on the pitch in the rare games in which he played. 

If Rodgers is planning on continuing that trend, Rodriguez deserves to be allowed to leave for a club that will utilize his talents. 

Jay Spearing

When Lucas went down with a season-ending knee injury early last season, Kenny Dalglish looked to young Jay Spearing to fill the void.

Spearing did not impress.

His passes were sloppy, and he clearly didn't possess the football vision and IQ that Lucas did. Jay Spearing was just a disappointment. 

With Jonjo Shelvey looking like the much brighter youngster, Lucas coming back from injury, Alberto Aquilani coming back from loan and Liverpool hopefully in the market for another midfielder, there looks to be no room for Jay Spearing. 

Stewart Downing

Man alive, it was frustrating watching this man last season.

Stewart Downing failed to record a single Premier League goal or assist for Liverpool last season, despite being brought in to provide both. 

Liverpool desperately needs to dip into the transfer fund to find a replacement for the jaded winger and ship Downing out. His performances last season don't warrant a second chance; a repeat performance is all too likely and that is something Liverpool cannot afford.

With Liverpool tracking the likes of Salomon Kalou (via ESPN) and Adam Johnson (via Goal.com), it is safe to say that at some point, Liverpool will find a replacement and end the Stewart Downing nightmare.

What do you think? Do you agree/disagree? Let me know in the comments section!

YNWA!