There will however be some new faces at Anfield at some point over the summer and I've just tried to be logical as to which ones these may be.
DEFENDERS
Fabio Aurelio
27 year old Brazilian left-back currently with Valencia.
Why we might get him
There are various reports that this deal has already been done. Others say that Villareal are still the favourites to get him. Benitez obviously knows the player from his time at Valencia and he is available on a free transfer. With the almost certain departure of Traore, Benitez will like the option of having competition at left back for Riise and Warnock (who may be sold if we get Aurelio).
Why we might not get him
If another Spanish club comes in for him and is more persuasive than Benitez. To be honest you'd have thought that only Real Madrid or Barcelona may be tempting if he's had an offer from Liverpool but if he is hesitant about moving to a different country, Villareal may represent the easier option.
Chances of getting him this summer – 85%
Daniel Alves
23 year old Brazilian right back/right midfield currently with Sevilla
Why we might get him
Alves has already said he is tempted by the prospect of playing for Liverpool and the fact that the club already has a Spanish flavour (even though he's Brazilian). Some reports claim that a fee of £7-£8M has already been agreed by both clubs but others suggest Sevilla want nearer £12M which is ridiculous for a full back who isn't yet capped by his country. Kromkamp may well be leaving in the summer and so we need cover and competition for Finnan at right-back but also if Alves can play on the right wing as well, this would be a very flexible option for Rafa.
Why we might not get him
Barcelona are rumoured to be interested and if they're serious it could increase the price beyond what Rafa is prepared to pay. If Sevilla hold out for £12M, I'd be amazed if Liverpool agrees to buy him.
Chances of getting him this summer – 65%
MIDFIELDERS
Shaun Wright Phillips
24 year old right winger currently with Chelsea
Why we might get him
Reports about him last year were strong and some suggest Chelsea only bought him to stop Liverpool getting him, which sounds ridiculous but they have the money to do that. He is clearly unhappy at the lack of opportunities he's getting at Chelsea and would be tempted by a move. We need a right winger just like him so it sounds ideal BUT………..
Why we might not get him
Chelsea paid £21M. Why would they let him go for half that to meet our valuation. It would strengthen our side and there is no way they'd want that. They've got the money to let him rot in the reserves for 3 years and potentially ruin one of the brightest talents in the country. This would be absolutely unforgivable but if they do sell him I doubt it would be to Liverpool.
Chances of getting him this summer – 25%
Ludovic Giuly
29 year old right midfielder currently with Barcelona
Why we might get him
Another player frustrated by his opportunities at his current club and like Wright-Phillips, he is a talented player that has been overlooked by his National Team for the World Cup because of it. Reports are that the price would be between £3M and £5M which is not the kind of price to put off Benitez.
Why we might not get him
There haven't been any firm reports of talks underway and it may just be a case that he plays in Spain, he's a right sided player and is unhappy. 1+1+1=5 when you're talking about football transfer rumours remember. Barcelona could quite easily tempt him with a promise of more action next season and so this one is really in the balance. I expect that he wouldn't be Rafa's first choice but he's a reasonable option at a good price.
Chances of getting him this summer – 50%
Pablo Aimar
26 year old attacking midfielder currently with Valencia
Why we might get him
He plays for Rafa's old club and he's a good player
Why we might not get him
He's very skilful but also quite lightweight. There have been no major reports of him wanting to leave and I'm not aware of him playing on the wings too often so where do we put him. I don't really think a central attacking midfielder is too high on Rafa's priority list.
Chances of getting him this summer – 10%
Joaquin
24 year old right winger, currently with Real Betis
Why we might get him
Of all the current right wingers touted, he's the most suitable in my opinion. Unlike Wright Phillips or Aimar he's very strong but skilful with it. He currently plays for lowly Betis but had a taste of the Anfield fans (who were very friendly and respectful towards Betis) when they played us last year. Rafa will know if he's as reliable and consistent as he would like from his time in Spain.
Why we might not get him
It's all gone a bit quiet on this transfer, which may be good news, considering how Rafa likes to work. The transfer fee however I would imagine would be at least £10M, if not £13-£15M, which I don't think we are prepared to pay for a winger. There have also been rumours as well that Rafa had cooled his interest in him over recent months because of his performances.
Chances of getting him this summer – 30% (I wish it were higher though)
Jermaine Pennant
23 year old right winger, currently with Birmingham City
Why we might get him
Birmingham have obviously been relegated and despite Pennant's statement that he's happy to stay and help them get promoted, I'm sure he's just saying that to seem loyal. If a club like Liverpool were to agree a fee though, he is bound to be very tempted. The fee would I believe be in the region of £3M to £4M. This is not a bad price as he is a very quick player and the kind of option Liverpool need.
Why we might not get him
If we get someone better.
Chances of getting him this summer – 70%
Simao
26 year old right winger, currently with Benfica
Why we might get him
He's very good, as we saw at Anfield in the Champions League. He's skilful and very versatile and not a bad shot on him either. Rafa is clearly a big fan and almost bought him last year and then again in January apparently. He's also shown some (if not a huge amount) of interest in Liverpool. He's also apparently chased by Chelsea but some rumours say he's put off by not being first choice there.
Why we might not get him
Predominately the price. Benfica were so awkward last year, trying to increase the price at the last minute and apparently they've slapped a fee of £14M on him now. If this is non-negotiable then don't expect to see him at Anfield. Even if we agree a price, there are still lots of Spanish and Italian clubs reportedly interested in him.
Chances of getting him this summer – 20%
Victor Sanchez
30 year old right winger, currently with Deportivo
Why we might get him
I believe he's available at very low cost, possibly even on a free transfer according to some reports. Oh yes and he's Spanish which always helps these days. He's quick though and has been a regular for Deportivo in recent years and Santander and Real Madrid beforehand
Why we might not get him
He's 30 and he's never played in England so will he be able to adapt quick enough to a new style of game? Like Pennant, Victor may be used as cover or if we can't get anyone better.
Chances of getting him this summer – 35%
Francesco Totti
29 year old attacking midfielder, currently and always has been with Roma
Why we might get him
Can't think of much to be honest. He's a good player and we want good players, no more than that
Why we might not get him
Rumours about Totti coming are very tenuous. He was born in Rome and has only ever (I believe) played for AS Roma. He is absolutely worshipped by the Roma fans and is apparently happy there. Why would he come to Liverpool? It would be like Gerrard moving to Roma. The rumours on Totti coming have probably no more foundation that the Henry for Cisse swap deal we heard a few weeks ago.
Chances of getting him this summer – 5% (if that)
FORWARDS
Fernando Torres
22 year old striker, currently with Atletico Madrid
Why might we get him
He's probably the player that most fans want to come to Anfield. He's a proven goal scorer and at such a young age could be a massive talent for many years. There have been various rumours about Totti signing for us, even to the extent of him having a medical.
Why we might not get him
I fear all the rumours are wishful thinking. He's clearly one of the most sought after strikers in Europe at the moment and the World Cup will probably show off his qualities even more. He's played for Atletico since he was 11 and like Totti is adored by the fans. Atletico have splashed the cash on some good players this summer already, perhaps convincing Torres to stay. He certainly has made no request or shown any intention of leaving. If he did though, the clamour for his signature is likely to push the price up beyond our limits
Chances of getting him this summer – 20% (yes I'm afraid so)
Darren Bent
22 year old striker, currently with Charlton
Why we might get him
He scored 17 goals for Charlton last season and yet was still left out of the England squad when our strike force is the weakest part of the team. Poor guy must have wondered what he has to do to get in the side. As such he may be tempted by a move to a bigger club. We've apparently made an offer of £8M which was rejected and another now of £9.5M, so Rafa is clearly interested. The 17 goals he scored were predominately whilst playing a lone striker role and for a mid-table side like Charlton, that's a good return.
Why we might not get him
Charlton want £12M. He's certainly not worth that and Rafa is no fool – he knows that and almost certainly wouldn't pay it. Also, new manager Ian Dowie may decide he doesn't want to sell one of his most prized assets.
Chances of getting him this summer – 50%
Craig Bellamy
26 year old striker, currently with Blackburn Rovers
Why we might get him
I must admit that I was amazed when I first heard the rumour and a little concerned but everything about it makes sense. Assuming Cisse goes, we won't have a striker with pace to pair up with Crouch or Fowler, both of whom have some key strengths but pace is certainly not one of them. At around £6M price tag, Bellamy is certainly affordable and apparently Blackburn are very interested in Sinama Pongolle who played on loan there last season. A part-ex would reduce the £6M to about £3M and hey presto we have got a very talented if somewhat temperamental striker.
Why we might not get him
Can Rafa handle him? Greame Souness certainly couldn't, Mark Hughes seems to fair a little better but Bellamy's temperament is something of some concern. Would he be able to get away with it at a club like Liverpool?
Chances of getting him this summer – 65%
Dirk Kuyt
25 year old striker, currently with Feyenoord
Why we might get him
He's second choice in the Dutch National side to Van Horsehead and has a great record with Feyenoord. Rafa has shown clear interest in him before, almost buying his last summer. He's stated his wish to move to the Premiership because it suits his game. If Charlton hold out for £12M for Bent then Kuyt is a very real possibility
Why we might not get him
Newcastle, Spurs and somewhat tenuously Arsenal have also been linked with him. Newcastle appears more willing to splash the kind of cash that Feyenoord want and they could well snap him up. Again the transfer fee may hold Rafa back and if it starts getting close to £14M, then Bent may be seen as a better alternative.
Chances of getting him this summer – 50%
Jermaine Defoe
23 year old striker, currently with Tottenham
Why we might get him
We almost signed him in January. Apparently if Cisse had been willing to go to Tottenham, he would already be a Liverpool player. A very similar style player to Michael Owen and would play well particularly with Crouch. Rafa's spat with Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy doesn't appear to have prevented the clubs discussing terms for Defoe now and Liverpool are reportedly ahead of Newcastle in the running to sign Defoe. Spurs have signed Berbatov recently who is a striker and Defoe must think that next season his chances at Tottenham will be limited once again. Although on standby for the England team, he must have felt, like Darren Bent, that he should have been in the main squad. Rumours of a transfer fee are around the £8M mark which seems sensible and we'd surely pay that.
Why we might not get him
I suppose that if Spurs get silly on the fee and try and get into an auction between us and Newcastle.
Chances of getting him this summer – 70% (yes, it's that likely)
David Villa
25 year old striker, currently with Valencia
Why we might get him
He's a great player, quick and intelligent and perhaps even thought of as better than Fernando Torres.
Why we might not get him
He's only been at Valencia for a year and has had a great season with them, scoring 25 goals. He wouldn't be cheap and if he was coming to Anfield, I'd have thought that Morientes would have been part of a part-ex deal, which he wasn't, so don't expect this to happen either.
Ronaldo
No not the spotty idiot that doesn't know when to cross a ball that plays for the Mancs but the 29 year old former best player in the world, currently with Real Madrid
Why we might get him
He's made several comments about not being happy at Madrid and let's face it Madrid have been pretty poor by their standards over the last couple of years. His price was rumoured to be only £8M but if he has a good World Cup, expect that to double. England is about the only league he hasn't played in and he has previously mentioned a desire to play here.
Why we might not get him
To be honest, I just can't see it happening. I think there would be just too many clubs after him if he decided to leave. He's only 29 and although his weight fluctuates more than it should, he'd still probably walk into most teams first XI.
Chances of getting him this summer – 15%
Michael Owen
26 year old former Liverpool star, who will always be well thought of at Anfield
(unless he moves to Old Trafford at any time in his career of course)
Why we might get him
He clearly loves Liverpool and wanted so badly to come back last year.
Why we might not get him
I'm afraid these reasons far outweigh the positives. He hasn't helped his cause by taking 5 months to shake off a 2-3 month injury. Any manager must be concerned by his tendency to get injured very often. Newcastle paid £16M for him, so they aren't likely to sell him to us for £10M. I hate to say it but Rafa was probably right not to bring him back.
Chances of getting him this summer – 5%, yes Ronaldo and Torres are more likely.
5 PLAYERS WE COULD WE'LL SEE AT ANFIELD NEXT SEASON
FABIO AURELIO
DANIEL ALVES
JERMAINE PENNANT
CRAIG BELLAMY
JERMAINE DEFOE
5 PLAYERS I AM REALLY HOPING WE'LL SEE AT ANFIELD NEXT SEASON
FABIO AURELIO
DANIEL ALVES
JOAQUIN
FERNANDO TORRES
JERMAINE DEFOE