Liverpool FC Forum

John Barnes' Granny wrote:We were told back in the spring that Gerard Houllier was to oversee a mass exodus of players in the summer, with the likes of Heskey, Diouff, Diao, Dudek and Hamman leading the way.

Heskey has gone, and (to his own surprise) Houllier has followed him.

Should Benetiz pick up where Houllier started and begin a clearout of our squad?

Some members here raised the valid point that Benetiz should stick with the current squad for a season before making any major changes. However, that was based on the premise that we had the nucleus of a good team, and with a new manager and a few key signings, the tide would turn for us.

However, if the rumours are true and Gerrard jumps ship, what are we left with?

Personally, I believe that we need a far smaller and more efficient first team squad, and I think Benetiz should be given carte blanche to do what he pleases. I honestly think that the time is now ripe to clear out 8 to 10 players and start rebuilding immediately.

My candidates are:

Jerzy Dudek: not the worst keeper around, but I have lost faith that he will recover his 2002 form. PSV are interested, and Dudek is highly rated on the continent.

Gregary Vignal: Espanyol would probably take him off us.

Djimi Traore: we should recover our money by selling him to the likes of West Brom.

Stephan Henchoz: once the best defender at the club, but he has lost his pace and is injury prone, and in my view he should be let go.

Marcus Babbel: realistically he will never recapture his old form and its pointless having him around. Let him return on a free to Germany.

Didi Hamman: getting old and is increasingly one dimensional. Could still catch 2 or 3 million in a transfer fee.

Vladmir Smicer: also getting old, and his goal against Holland would probably be enough to secure a move to Turkey or Greece.

Igor Biscan: a poor player but who would take him? Our best option would probably be to loan him out abroad.

Bruno Cheyrou: Marseille are interested and IMO its time to cut our losses.

Salif Diao: would have left had Houllier satyed. Cannot see him improving. Cut our losses by selling him cheaply on the continent.

El Hadji Diouff: misfit. We would have to take the pain of letting him go on the cheap.

Neil Mellor: won't be a top striker and he'll probably be a division 2 player in three years time.

Obviously we would be lucky to shift half of these, but surgery needs to be carried out on the squad and three or four good signings to replace the lot of them would be enough.

Dont start with all that lad...