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Hatem Ben Arfa tops Liverpool list for Brendan Rodgers
BRENDAN RODGERS is targeting up to four “quality” signings as he looks to accelerate Liverpool’s transformation into Champions League contenders next season – with Hatem Ben Arfa and Ashley Williams top of his wish list.
The Liverpool manager has revealed the club have drawn up a list of alternative targets to avoid any repeat of the mistakes last summer, which left him short in key positions.
Liverpool have moved into sixth place, their highest position of the campaign, following Sunday’s 3-2 win over Tottenham.
With the backing of the owners, Fenway Sports Group, Rodgers wants to bring together a pool of talent which has two players competing for each position, plus three goalkeepers, and use the youngsters who have emerged this term to further supplement the group.
The push for Newcastle forward Ben Arfa raises the prospect of Andy Carroll, who is on loan at West Ham, being used as bait to his former club, while Rodgers wants to raid former club Swansea to recruit Williams and bolster his rearguard.
The extent of the overhaul will be determined by who departs along with the retiring Jamie Carragher. Martin Skrtel is likely to leave after being pushed on to the periphery and Sebastian Coates needs to move on to kick-start a stalled career.
Rodgers said: “I am happy with the squad if I can add another three or four quality players to it. We are after quality, not quantity.”
Midfielder Joe Allen is set to undergo a second shoulder operation before the end of the campaign to ensure he is fit for next season.