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Players for Peanuts: FOUR bargains LFC could land right now

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LFC targetJANUARY is a crucial time of year, though more for some than others.

Regarding Liverpool, the squad needs strengthening if they want to make sure of a top four place or to last the course in a title push. Furthermore, with the extra money that comes with playing in the Champions League (along with BT’s new deal which raises it even higher), Liverpool’s American owners could look to splash the cash now on a couple of top-class players in the hope that the risk is paid off by securing a place in Europe’s premier competition.

Nevertheless, even in January where it is notoriously hard to find a bargain, there are players out there who could be brought in for next to nothing and provide quality and depth to Liverpool’s squad. They might not be star names, but combined with one or two big money signings it could be the final ingredient needed for success this season.

Four such notable players who are available on the cheap for Liverpool this January and yet could contribute so much are below.

1. Salomon Kalou
Having spent 18 months in France with Lille, there are rumours that the Ivory Coast international is seeking a return to England and the Premier League. Furthermore, with a release clause of approx £2.5 million, with Liverpool, Tottenham and Arsenal all interested.

The former Chelsea man has been scoring goals in France, helping fuel a potential title challenge for Lille and would provide a perfect third choice striker behind Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge. Moreover, he can play in a number of other forward positions – out wide on either flank or behind the striker.

At 28, he is still in the prime of his career and looks a more confident player now with first team football in France. Whether he would be affected by the reduced action at Anfield remains to be seen, but at that price he looks an absolute bargain to provide more depth in the striking positions.

2. Mohamed Diamé
The man who was so close yet so far, Diamé nearly joined the club back in the summer of 2012 but Kenny Dalglish’s departure scuppered the deal and he joined West Ham from Wigan instead. However, he has a £3.5 million release clause in his contract and he has reappeared on Liverpool’s radar, this time under Brendan Rodgers as he has grown at West Ham, impressing despite their current troubles.

Diamé is not at the level of a Yaya Touré, but he is a similar type of player who could provide physicality to Liverpool’s midfield when needed whilst being good on the ball. He may not be a first team regular with Steven Gerrard, Lucas Leiva and Jordan Henderson in the side, but Liverpool desperately need another defensive midfielder.

For a snip, Diamé could provide the needed solution.

3. Ravel Morrison
A player with bags of ability and one of the strangest clauses in football, Ravel Morrison admittedly is an ex-Manchester United player, but one who was cast out.

However, like Paul Pogba at Juventus, he is making that decision look ridiculous because of his performances this season. West Ham have provided the breakthrough for the 20 year old who still harbours hopes of a wildcard place in England’s World Cup (particularly if injuries to the likes of Theo Walcott keep occurring).

Yet despite the raw talent and potential the England Under-21 international has, West Ham don’t have him securely tied down. His release clause is £18 million, but he has another clause where if a club bids £10 million for his services and it is rejected, Morrison’s wages have to be quadrupled to £60,000 a week from his current £15,000. Furthermore, with only 18 months left and funds needed for a striker and a centre-back, West Ham are prepared to sell one of their prized assets for a reduced fee of approx £6-7 million.

Fulham and Newcastle are also keen, but with the greatest respect to those clubs Liverpool would present a far greater allure for Morrison, provided that he forgets his previous Manchester days. He could become a top attacking midfielder for the Reds, or just simply add quality and depth to that position for a minimal fee, contending with a big money signing like Javier Pastore or Ivan Rakitic, as well as Coutinho.

4. Ashley Cole
Quite simply, whether you like Chelsea or not, Ashley Cole has been one of world’s leading left-backs for the last decade. However, maybe those powers are slipping, or maybe Jose Mourinho is now ‘The Mad One’ as Cole has been watching from the sidelines for Chelsea this season.

His contract is up in the summer and at 33, Chelsea can’t really ask for a massive fee, but would still rather get something instead of losing him on a free.

However, his excessive wages would be just one roadblock, while trying to convince Chelsea to sell Cole to one of their domestic rivals would be another.

Nevertheless, with Liverpool currently experiencing left-back problems due to the injuries of José Enrique and Jon Flanagan and Aly Cissokho failing to impress, it should be an avenue worth exploring. Mourinho said he had no problems dealing with rivals when he was chasing Wayne Rooney in the summer.

Hopefully he was telling the truth!

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