As happens every year, a full batch of footballers were released by their clubs at the end of June, with plenty now available to sign for absolutely no transfer fee.
Liverpool do not often delve into this particular market, which tends to be dominated by old timers or players who have had patchy injury records.
Nevertheless, there are some gems to be found within this year’s haul, and with some big names now free to hammer out their next move, there are six unattached players who could help to ensure Liverpool’s squad depth improves under Andoni Iraola next season.
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Malang Sarr: Centre-back, 27-years-old
There is no need for Liverpool to really target free transfer additions in attacking positions this summer, with the Reds seemingly set to spend big funds on bringing in some new talent.
Where they might need to just supplement here and there is largely at centre-back and right-back, but also potentially in midfield if an opportunity arises.
The first free agent player who could help with this is former Chelsea centre-back Malang Sarr. Fresh on the back of starting 33 out of 34 Ligue 1 matches for Lens, who finished an impressive second in the table, and also won the French Cup, Sarr has left the club.
Although things did not work out for him at Chelsea, he is now hitting his peak years, and could be a smart signing as back-up to Virgil van Dijk, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, and to provide cover for the likely-to-be-injured or needed at right-back Joe Gomez.
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Oscar Minguez: Centre-back, right-back, left-back, 27-years-old
If Liverpool want a versatile player who could cover all across the back line, then they absolutely should be looking at Oscar Mingueza this summer.
Having left Celta Vigo after four years with the club, the 27-year-old is a player who could find himself, with respect to Celta, at a bigger club come the start of the season.
Capable of covering right, left and centre-back, Mingueza could be an ideal utility man for Iraola as he looks to prioritise spending elsewhere.
Having clocked up more than 60 appearances for Barcelona and four caps for Spain during his career so far, the Spaniard would be a smart signing for Liverpool.
David Alaba: Centre-back, left-back, 34-years-old
Before you all start rolling your eyes too heavily, there is a world in which David Alaba could be a good one-year option for Liverpool.
The veteran has had his injury troubles, playing just 47 matches across the past three seasons, but he can still help step in for 15-20 games to add real quality and experience.
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Wages may be an issue here, but in a summer where Liverpool are losing such a huge amount of leadership, a signing like Alaba arguably makes more sense than ever.
After clocking up more than 200 minutes across three matches for Austria at the World Cup, the 34-year-old has showed that he can still string a run of games together as well.
Leon Goretzka: Central midfielder, 31-years-old
Perhaps the best player on this list, Leon Goretzka is another who looks like a non-typical Liverpool signing, but one who could add plenty of depth to the squad.
Having played 51 times for Bayern Munich last season – his most during an eight-year spell with the German giants – fitness is not a problem for Goretzka, who can still provide plenty of physicality.
Like with his former teammate Alaba, wages could prove a stumbling block here, but if Liverpool could interest him in a short contract, he would be a good option.
Capable of playing in a deeper midfield role or with a two-man pivot, Goretzka could provide the kind of strength in depth in the middle of the park which Liverpool were sorely missing last season.
Xaver Schlager: Central midfielder, 28-years-old
Another midfielder who could add a little bit to Liverpool’s options is former RB Leipzig man Xaver Schlager.
A road-runner of a midfielder who really gets about the pitch, the Austrian looks like somebody who would be suited to Iraola’s style of play.
Not up to the level of being a starter, Schlager could provide an upgrade on Wataru Endo nonetheless, and would be a cheap and easy way to bulk up the midfield.
One big drawback would be Schlager’s injury history. The former Wolfsburg player has suffered three cruciate ligament tears during his career, with the latest meaning virtually a full season on the sidelines in 204/25. Schlager returned to prove his fitness last season, though, playing 30 times for Leipzig, and could be fine as a bit-part player.
Daichi Kamada: Central midfielder, 29-years-old
An uber silky midfielder who became a cult hero during his two years with Crystal Palace, Daichi Kamada would be another player who could raise the floor at Anfield.
Possessing a rare ability for such a tall player to glide past the opposition with the ball at his feet, the Japanese is the kind of squad player every top team needs.
Kamada has already confirmed that he wants to stay in the Premier League, and though talks over a surprise renewal at Palace appear to be underway, surely Liverpool could turn his head if they come in.
Unlikely to be an issues wages-wise, the Japan international could provide Iraola with a versatile, Premier League-ready player who is slap-bang in his peak.
There are others who are newly available who could well be of interest to Liverpool as well, but in these six, they have half a dozen options who would surely be willing and ready to join to bring the overall level of the squad up.
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