5 players Liverpool could sign from clubs with financial issues

Liverpool are getting ready to navigate their first transfer window without Jurgen Klopp for almost nine years. 

The return of Michael Edwards and subsequent appointment of Richard Hughes as the club's sporting director has given Liverpool supporters reasons to be optimistic about the direction of the club's future, even if Klopp's successor remains unknown.

Ruben Amorim is now the prime candidate to replace the iconic 56-year-old, with Xabi Alonso seemingly set to stay at Bayer Leverkusen according to recent reports. Roberto De Zerbi and Julian Nagelsmann have been linked as well.

However, no matter who takes residence in the Anfield dugout, Liverpool may be able to find some promising deals around England and Europe as clubs in precarious financial positions look to raise funds.

A number of Premier League sides may need to offload their stars this summer to ensure that they can make ends meet, with the Reds among the top teams who could take advantage of their misfortune.

Here are five players Liverpool could sign from clubs with financial problems.

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BRUNO GUIMARAES

One club who are expected to sell players this summer to comply with Premier League profit and sustainability regulations are Newcastle United, and there are a number of players at St James' Park who would likely interest Liverpool.

The likes of Sven Botman and Alexander Isak spring to mind, but Bruno Guimaraes remains the standout player for the Magpies - performing incredibly well in a Newcastle side that has struggled at times this term.

The tough-tackling Brazilian has the perfect blend of grit and flair in the engine room and has developed into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League - and perhaps even the world.

A passing maestro, Guimaraes ranks in the top 12% of Premier League midfielders for progressive passes per 90 this season, as well as the top 9% for successful take-ons and 5% for through balls.

Unlike the majority of his teammates, he has also avoided serious injuries this term, with the 26-year-old now entering the prime years of his career.

He would likely cost a fortune, but with Thiago's summer exit freeing up significant funds on the wage bill, Guimaraes would be an outstanding addition to the Liverpool team.

KIERNAN DEWSBURY-HALL

Leicester City could be a Premier League side next season, but the 2016 top-flight champions are staring at a points deduction if they are promoted back into the first division.

The Foxes may be forced to sell players this summer as well given they need to comply with financial fair play rules and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall would be the obvious signing from a Liverpool perspective.

The 25-year-old has been one of the Championship's leading players this term and is clearly far too qualified for the second tier, with Dewsbury-Hall having also dazzled in the Premier League last year.

A box-to-box midfielder, he has registered ten goals and 13 assists this campaign, blossoming into an all-rounder in Enzo Maresca's attractive Leicester side.

Dewsbury-Hall could cost around the £40m mark - perhaps less if Leicester don't achieve promotion - and would also qualify as a homegrown talent.

MURILLO

A man that Liverpool have been linked with in recent times, Nottingham Forest centre-back Murillo has caught the eye in the Premier League this season.

The Brazilian only arrived at the City Ground last summer from Corinthians, but Nottingham Forest's financial issues mean they may be forced to cash in on the 21-year-old sooner than expected.

There were rumours suggesting that Murillo would cost £50m but conflicting reports have suggested that the Midlands side may accept a lower offer due to their issues off the pitch.

Liverpool are said to be targeting centre-back options in the upcoming transfer window with Joel Matip set to leave when his contract expires, and Murillo would be a sensible target.

With a year of Premier League experience under his belt, the youngster would be able to provide competition for places with Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, while he is also left-footed - an attribute the Reds are keen for their next central defender to possess.

Murillo boasts good speed and physicality, with Forest heavily reliant on his displays at the back.

LEVI COLWILL

A player that was frequently linked with Liverpool in last summer's window, the Reds could dip back into the market for the Chelsea centre-back.

Liverpool were reportedly very eager to sign the young Englishman as they looked for centre-back reinforcements, but Chelsea were adamant that the 21-year-old wasn't for sale under any circumstances.

However, with the Blues potentially needing to shift players this summer - with homegrown academy talents even better for profit regulations - Mauricio Pochettino's side may be forced into making an unwanted sale.

There is no doubting Colwill's quality, with the defender shining during England's under-21 European Championship triumph, and he is another left-footed centre-half capable of playing at left-back.

That versatility could be hugely important to the Reds, although Colwill has suffered with injuries throughout this season.

His price tag would likely be colossal, especially given a recent contract extension, but he would be a perfect profile for Liverpool to sign in the summer.

RAPHINHA

Raphinha was briefly linked with Liverpool during his time at Leeds United, but the Brazilian made the switch to Barcelona instead of sticking around in England.

There have been fleeting reports of Liverpool's continued interest in the 27-year-old, but there is little to suggest that the interest is concrete.

However, with Barcelona in well-publicised financial turmoil, they may also need to trim their squad, and Raphinha remains a player of unbelievable talent on his day.

Those days may not come often enough in Catalonia, but the tricky winger could be an alternative to Mohamed Salah on the right flank, sharing the ability to cut in on his favoured left foot and fire at goal.

The emergence of Lamine Yamal at Barca means they would likely be willing to part ways with Raphinha, and Liverpool are reportedly eyeing up new wingers this summer.