Liverpool set for summer clear-out as Brendan Rodgers plans overhaul

Liverpool are reportedly set to begin their summer clear-out after a disappointing campaign saw them end the season without a trophy and miss out on Champions League football yet again, after a brief appearance last season, a first since the 2009/10 season.

According to the Liverpool Echo, Brendan Rodgers has decided to begin the overhaul and is set to release and sell various players who failed to make an impact this season.

Mario Balotelli is said to be the first in line to get the boot after failing to fulfil his potential following a £16m move from AC Milan last summer. The Italian forward scored four goals in 28 appearances in all competitions of which only one was in the Premier League.

The club is willing to take a hit as his value plummeted in the last nine months, but are adamant that he will allowed to leave in the summer. Sampdoria have already made their interest in the striker known and it is claimed that the Serie A side will make an offer to take him back to his homeland.

Apart from Balotelli, his striker partners Rickie Lambert and Fabio Borini will also be sold, with the Merseyside club welcoming bids for both strikers. The former is said to have drawn interest from Premier League new boys Bournemouth and will leave after failing to break into the first-team at Anfield.

Rodgers is already planning for a new-look front line and Daniel Sturridge will be joined by Divock Origi, who will arrive following his season long loan spell with Lille, and Burnley's Danny Ings is reportedly close to completing his free transfer following the Clarets' relegation from the top flight.

Apart from the above mentioned duo, the Northern Irishman is aware that he needs a Premier League proven goal scorer and reports have linked the Reds with a £30m move for Aston Villa hitman Christian Benteke.

The former Swansea City boss is also keen to shore up his midfield and has targeted a move for James Milner, who is out of contract at Manchester City and is in search of a new club.

There will be more departures from the club, as Steven Gerrard, Brad Jones and Glen Johnson are all out of contract and will be released at the end of the month. While there are question marks over the futures of Lucas Leiva, Jose Enrique and Sebastian Coates, who are all surplus to requirements at the club.