Considering Liverpool’s current form, and the lack of money that is available for the club during the January transfer window, I have been trawling through players for possible signings which could improve the Reds fortunes over the next crucial months and give Rafa Benitez’s side a much needed lift.

1) Mancini – Inter Milan

Internazionale’s Brazilian left winger Alessandro Mancini is certainly available for loan during the current transfer window. In recent days, the player has rejected a move to Marseille and would no doubt jump at the chance of playing in the Premier League. Since his move to Inter from Roma at the start of last season, he has failed to establish himself in the first team at the San Siro. He is known for his pace, dribbling skills and most famously for his stepovers, and would give Rafa Benitez a much needed attacking threat and flair from the left hand side of midfield. There are concerns about his consistency, and he actually started his time at Roma under Fabio Capello at right back. He had an excellent scoring record for the Rome club though with 40 goals in 154 league games, and would be a useful additional to the Reds’ squad as they seek to claim fourth position.

2) Vicente – Valencia

In his earlier years Vicente was one of Valencia’s star players and under Rafa Benitez won two La Liga titles. He had fantastic pace, great technique and an eye for a goal, but in recent seasons, he has been plagued by injuries. He has once again returned from injury this season against Deportivo in the Spanish Cup at the start of the month, and it would be possible for the player to be loaned out to give him more first team opportunities and increase his fitness. Whether the injuries he has sustained will make playing at the pace of the Premier League difficult I am not certain, but it is worth taking a punt on such a talented player. If anyone was to get the best out of him, it would be his former manager at Valencia, Benitez, who inspired the player to great heights. At 28, he is still relatively young and could be become a tremendous asset to the team.

3) Hatem Ben Arfa – Marseille

Definitely the least likely out of the three to be loaned out during the current transfer window, Ben Arfa has however fallen out with his manager at Marseille, Didier Deschamps. Chairman Jean-Claude Dassier had said he was available for transfer but according to the Daily Mail last week, Everton have already had a six month loan deal rejected by the French club. If Liverpool could tempt Marseille to loan out their talented creative midfield player though, it would certainly give Rafa Benitez a great offensive option. Playing off the striker or in an attacking midfield position, 22 year old Ben Arfa is tremendously skilful, who can pass and dribble with equal aplomb, although his tendency to be selfish and his lack of interest in defending, will certainly put off Benitez.

I have suggested above 3 attacking options that Benitez could attempt to loan in the current window. Whether he will attempt to bring in such players is a different question, but if he wants to finish fourth ahead of the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Aston Villa, more attacking players will be needed, especially with the likes of Fernando Torres, Steven Gerrard and Yossi Benayoun, currently out injured.

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