Liverpool’s latest transfer rumours pose more questions than answers. Unless, that is, you already believe Micah Richards can revive his Premier League career, or Andre-Pierre Gignac can make the grade in England’s top flight.

Richards was once considered one of the country’s brightest young talents. But his fortunes soon stalled, and he’s now on loan at Serie A side Fiorentina.

The 26-year-old Manchester City flop is keen to return to English shores this summer, according to Mail Online writer Sami Mokbel. Liverpool are reportedly among five clubs interested in the one-time highly touted prospect, along with Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Everton and West Ham United.

Richards is still an intriguing player. He was brilliant as a precocious and athletic centre-back for City at the start of the 2007/08 campaign.

His bulky frame and pace seemed naturally at home in the middle. But rash decision-making and injury woes soon saw Richards pushed out wide to right-back.

While his inability to hold down one position may put many suitors off, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is likely to appreciate Richards’ versatility. The Anfield chief often changes his defensive structure from four at the back to a three-man line.

The latter formation requires centre-backs quick enough and comfortable on the ball to work in wide areas and build attacks from the back. Rodgers has struggled to find defenders fitting that mold.

Summer arrival Dejan Lovren has floundered. So has Mamadou Sakho. But Rodgers may be able to move on from both at a bargain price if he believes Richards will ever reach his potential.

Mokbel stated Richards will be keen on any move that grants him more playing time next season: “The right-back, currently on loan at Fiorentina, turned down a new five-year contract at Manchester City and will leave the club on a free transfer this summer as he seeks regular first-team football.”

Richards certainly needs a change of scenery. He’s made just 10 appearances in all competitions for La Viola this season, per WhoScored.com.

A move to Liverpool, a club with a manager not afraid to give domestic players a chance, would be a smart choice at this stage in Richards’ career.

Signing Gignac would prompt a little more head scratching. The towering Marseille striker could find himself pushed toward the exit door this summer as the Ligue 1 club starts lining up a replacement.

Daily Express reporter Bruce Archer has stated Marseille want Juventus‘ target man Fernando Llorente. The move is apparently based on the Stade Velodrome club’s belief Gignac could leave this summer, either for Liverpool or Premier League rival Arsenal.

Liverpool have have been linked with the 29-year-old attacker for some time, per Daily Express writer Ben Jefferson. Those links make sense based on Gignac‘s current form. He’s netted 16 goals this season, per WhoScored.com.

Stylistically, though, it’s tough to see where he’d fit in Rodgers’ brand of football. The Merseyside gaffer favours a quick, possession-based game with passes played between lines at pace and along the ground.

That hardly takes advantage of Gignac‘s aerial power. However, Rodgers could be looking for a riff on the current formula, a different way for Liverpool to attack.

That thinking was undoubtedly behind the summer purchase of Rickie Lambert. But the ex-Southampton centre-forward has struggled to make the grade.

Lambert was even close to a winter transfer move and swift exit away from Anfield, according to Liverpool Echo reporter James Pearce:

Gignac‘s technical quality is underrated, but he doesn’t seem a natural fit for Liverpool’s fast-paced, on-the-deck style of play.

By contrast, Richards seems like a risk worth taking for a club that’s had its share of defensive problems in recent seasons. Rodgers could be the one manager who can turn his game around. But it’s not clear how Gignac would help.

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