Liverpool boss to oversee serious purge ahead of new season
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Unlike Liverpool’s manager, who is now hypothetically tied to the club for the next six years, numerous members of Jurgen Klopp’s squad seem destined to leave by the end of the current transfer window.
In fairness to the German, the act of trimming back his playing staff is fully justified. Having inherited Brendan Rodgers’ squad in October 2015, Klopp has waited patiently to shake things up and put his own stamp on Anfield’s arrivals and departures.
A few eyebrows might have been raised by the supposed £34m forked out for Sadio Mane from Southampton, though the Reds boss is now happy to be judged on transfer policy in the upcoming campaign, insisting there is no grey areas over his being the final decision.
Any number of stories linking Liverpool players to Anfield exits have arisen in recent weeks and, after collating most of them, it seems the below list of Reds are on or near the brink.
Starting with the most probable departures first:
(Gone – Kolo Toure, Jose Enrique, Jerome Sinclair, Jordan Rossiter, Joao Texeira)
Jordon Ibe
Liverpool have accepted a very generous bid of £15m from Bournemouth and it’s got to be a matter of days, if not hours until he’s confirmed as a Cherry.
Martin Skrtel
The Slovakian was impressive at the Euros and has certainly had his moments in a long stay at Anfield, but Klopp doesn’t fancy him and Fenerbahce beckons, with the defender in advanced talks.
Christian Benteke
“Money can’t buy me love” is what the Beatles famously sang. Such a big price tag has not brought anything like love for Benteke from his new manager and the Belgian has been the subject of two sizeable bids from Crystal Palace already.
Joe Allen
This is the name which is causing the most debate, though chiefly among the hipsters it must be said. Despite shining for Wales in France, the industrious midfielder has spent four seasons as a bit-part player at Anfield and, if Liverpool can get around the £15m they paid for him, then it makes sense to sell.
Luis Alberto
The former Barcelona B forward has been a non-event since joining Liverpool in 2013, being loaned back to Spain in successive seasons. He’s most likely to stay there permanently after this window.
Mario Balotelli
Klopp has shown zero interest in the maverick striker, who is a failed experiment at Liverpool. It would be a miracle to see him welcomed back to the fold.
Lazar Markovic
It’s more difficult to gauge what the German gaffer feels about the man loaned out to Fenerbahce last season. Markovic is still young at 22 and showed flashes of his talent before falling out of favour. A decent pre-season could see Klopp warm to him.
Lucas
The Brazilian is popular on the Kop and seemingly with Klopp too, although he was used a little sparingly last season. If Allen leaves, it’s easier to see Liverpool’s longest-serving player staying on at Anfield.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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