Jurgen Klopp may be looking to offload certain members of the current Liverpool squad in the summer. Here are five players most at risk of leaving Anfield.
Alberto Moreno
Signed by predecessor Brendan Rodgers, diminutive full back Alberto Moreno has been marginalised by Jurgen Klopp over the past year – with the significance of Moreno’s dispensability to the club being consistently amplified by the preference to deploy central midfielder James Milner as a make-shift left back throughout the current campaign. To compound matters further, Moreno has completed 90 minutes on just two occasions this season – almost certainly one for the exit door this summer.
Lucas Leiva
The long-serving Brazilian midfielder has played well over 300 times for Liverpool since being brought to Merseyside by Rafa Benitez in 2007. As the 30-year-old’s contract with the Reds is seemingly being allowed to run its course, we are likely to witness a Lucas departure from the club this summer. Lucas is still capable of performing at the highest level and any potential departure from Anfield should see plenty of interest for the midfielder’s signature.
Lazar Markovic
Signed alongside Adam Lallana, Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert and Divock Origi as part of the aggregate effort to replace Luis Suarez following the forward’s big money move to Barcelona, winger Lazar Markovic has failed to make any significant impact on Merseyside. Markovic, who cost £20m from Benfica in 2014, made just 19 league appearances for Liverpool before being shipped out on loan to Fenerbache, Sporting CP and current employers Hull City.
Mamadou Sakho
The measure of Mamadou Sakho’s future at Liverpool is clear – as despite the Anfield club’s struggles on the left and central of defence, seemingly suitable fit Sakho has been frozen out of the first team picture by Klopp.
Reports had suggested that Sakho’s fate under Klopp was sealed after the France international demonstrated a disrespectful attitude whilst on the club’s pre-season tour of the United States; where Sakho is believed to have missed a flight, a training session and a team dinner.
During the January transfer window, Sakho was allowed to join Crystal Palace on loan – where the defender is currently experiencing somewhat of a mini-resurgence and is quickly becoming a fans favourite at Selhurst Park.
Daniel Sturridge
Arguably the most talented goalscorer in the country, England international Daniel Sturridge remains somewhat of a conundrum at Anfield. After regularly featuring as a major contributor to Liverpool’s near Premier League triumph in 2014 under Rodgers’ tutelage – alongside Suarez and Raheem Sterling – Sturridge has battled with numerous injury problems under Klopp.
Sturridge’s inability to reproduce any sort of fitness over the past year has been a cause for concern and may well be justification for a summer departure – particularly if Klopp has eyes on transfer targets to push towards a serious title challenge.
Ultimately, any Sturridge Anfield exit could prove to be mutually beneficial for both parties, as the goal-getter has made no secret of his desire to be the main man with regular top level football.
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