Emile Heskey and El Hadji Diouf are the two most high-profile figures in a fire sale which Houllier hopes will secure his own future.
Heskey, an £11m buy from Leicester, and Diouf, who cost £10m, have failed to justify their disproportionate fees and will be available, along with Stephane Henchoz, Salif Diao, Vladimir Smicer, Markus Babbel, Djimi Traore and Gregory Vignal.
With Houllier's patience wearing thinner with each squandered point, there are also doubts over the futures of Dietmar Hamann and Danny Murphy.
But the Liverpool manager may have greater difficulty identifying potential buyers. Strong interest from Birmingham and Middlesbrough in Heskey has yet to be reciprocated by the England striker, while Marseille have made only tentative enquiries about Diouf. A deal for either could only be concluded for a cut price.
Apart from Cisse, Houllier is a confirmed admirer of West Ham's Michael Carrick and has been linked with Werder Bremen's France midfielder Johan Micoud and Borussia Dortmund playmaker Tomas Rosicky.
He is also keeping tabs on centre back Michael Dawson, whom Nottingham Forest are desperate to keep, and talented Sheffield United midfielder Michael Tonge. A move for Auxerre defender Philippe Mexes is less clear despite boss Guy Roux insisting the 22-year old 'knows Liverpool is his destination'.
