Liverpool Transfer News: Drogba, Del Piero, Owen and Walcott Involved in Latest Speculation

The transfer window ended in a desperately disappointing manner for Liverpool, as manager Brendan Rodgers failed to land the striker that was so patently needed at Anfield. Following the departure on-loan of Andy Carroll, a goal scorer was deemed a necessity by both Rodgers and supporters alike.

But a bid was rejected for Clint Dempsey as the transfer deadline came and went leaving Liverpool with just Luis Suarez and Fabio Borini as established strikers on their books. That weakness was painfully exposed against Arsenal on Sunday as some neat football lacked a cutting edge, allowing the Gunners to emerge from Anfield with three points.

It is not surprising then that in recent days Liverpool have been linked to several strikers who are still available on a free transfer. The name on everyone's lips is that of former Liverpool forward Michael Owen, who has still yet to sign for a club following his release from Manchester United this summer.

The Daily Mail reported that Rodgers was considering a move for Owen, after admitting that he needed to add a striker.

"Any player that I believe can improve the squad, I will look at," he said. "We have got a very small group here.

"There were 19 players training on Saturday morning, with some very young players among them. I have to look at ways to change the group. We need a reinforcement, that's obvious."

According to the Independent, however, Rodgers has opted against signing the 32-year-old. The decision is thought to have been influenced by an open letter from Liverpool's principal owner John W Henry over the weekend in which he suggested that the club's focus will be on signing players at the younger end of the age scale.

If Owen were to sign for Liverpool it would have to be on a highly-incentivized pay-as-you-play deal, which the former England international is unlikely to accept given that a £30,000-a-week two-year contract is thought to be on the table from Stoke.

A potentially more exciting prospect could see Liverpool move for former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba. The powerful Ivorian left on a free transfer to Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua earlier this summer, but reports suggest that he could be released from his contract amid speculation that the club's backers could withdraw their finances.

Metro suggest that Liverpool, along with Real Madrid, will be keen to sign Drogba should he be handed a free transfer.

While Drogba is two years older than Owen, his recent record suggests he could make a more telling contribution at Anfield.

Liverpool have also been linked to a third high-profile veteran in Alessandro Del Piero. The 37-year-old left Juventus in the summer and has been linked to a number of clubs in all corners of the globe.

According to the Daily Mail, Liverpool will miss out on the former Italian international after initiating talks with Greek club Olympiacos. The Guardian reports that Del Piero was left with a choice two clubs-Southampton and Sydney FC-and has elected to join the A-League side.

However, despite a press conference scheduled in Turin on Wednesday, Sky Italia is reporting that Liverpool have approached Del Piero's representatives about a potential move to Anfield.

Liverpool could also increase their forward options come January with a move for Arsenal's Theo Walcott. The England international has turned down Arsenal's offer of a new contract and, with just a year remaining on his current deal, has been linked with a move away from the Emirates. The Sunday Mirror claims that Liverpool continue to monitor the situation, while Manchester City, Juventus, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested.