Premier League giants Liverpool have been reaching new heights of success under their manager Jurgen Klopp. The former Borussia Dortmund boss has shown his maturity in handling a club of such stature and has brought in players who have gelled well with the team.
Under the experienced stewardship of Klopp, the Reds have reached the Champions League final twice, winning it last season. They are also close to winning the one title that has eluded them for over three decades – the Premier League.
Before the season was brought to an abrupt halt in early March due to the COVID-19 crisis, Liverpool had developed a 25-point lead at the top of the table and were just two wins away from lifting their first Premier League trophy.
However, amidst the current anticipations and uncertainties regarding the fate of the season, the Reds have already kicked off their preparations for the next campaign. Jurgen Klopp has a contract with the club until at least 2024, and in spite of his reluctance to sign an extension, Liverpool are making their preparations, keeping the 52-year-old in mind. Klopp though will have to think about trimming the size of his squad before setting his plan for the new season.
And so, here is a list of three players who could leave Liverpool in the upcoming transfer window.
#1 Xherdan Shaqiri
28-year-old Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri is almost a certain candidate to leave Liverpool as wants more game time. Recurring fitness issues have meant that the former Bayern Munich man has found his chances limited at Anfield. Even when Shaqiri has been fit, he has mostly warmed the bench.
Since joining Liverpool in the summer of 2018 from Stoke City, Shaqiri has managed to feature in just 40 games for the Reds, often coming on as a substitute.
The player’s brother and agent has given voice to the Shaqiri’s discontent. In an interview with Kosovan TV station, KTV ,Erdin Shaqiri had said:
“I think there will be many offers for Xherdan in the summer. Already in January, there was concrete interest from two or three clubs. These – their names have already been taken up in various media – will knock again.”Â
Erdin Shaqiri
Spanish outfit Sevilla and Italian giants Roma were reportedly keen on a loan move in January but Liverpool didn’t allow the player to leave. However, Shaqiri is almost certain to leave Anfield at the end of the season.
#2 Adam Lallana
With his present contract with Liverpool set to end in June, Adam Lallana is on the verge of leaving the club. The 2014 signing from Southampton impressed critics with his performances for the club, but recurring injuries have limited his playing time at Anfield. Currently, Lallana only remains as a squad player for the Champions League winners.
The Englishman has featured in 15 Premier League games for the Reds this season, scoring just once. His overall stay on the pitch amounts to just 869 minutes.
With Liverpool targeting an out-and-out striker this summer, with Timo Werner being seen as their number one target, Jurgen Klopp will look to add more pace and skill down the wings to provide the much-needed delivery right up to feed the lone striker.
Obviously, a 32-year-old Lallana won’t fit the bill and will leave Liverpool upon the expiration of his contract.
Lallana has been linked with a move to Leicester City, a club which is currently managed by Brendan Rodgers – the man who brought him to Liverpool. All possibilities suggest that the duo will be reunited at the King Power Stadium next season.
#3 Dejan Lovren
Another player who could be on his way out of Liverpool is Croatian defender Lovren. Liverpool are ready to rekindle their interest in Napoli defender Kalidou Koulibaly in the summer. The Reds believe the Senegalese defender will be a good fit alongside Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence. And Lovren looks to be the most obvious casualty to make room for defensive reinforcements.
Lovren was one of those at the back when the Reds succumbed to their first Premier League defeat of the season against Watford, failing to prevent his side from conceding three.
Although he has previously been linked with leaving Anfield, this time around, a move looks sealed.
According to reports in Italy, AS Roma could swoop for the player for a cut-price deal after seeing their interest being rebuffed by Jurgen Klopp’s team last summer. They are only willing to offer a fee in the region of £5 million, which will make the Reds lose out on £15 million from what the Rome-based team had offered last time.
Klopp is likely to have his hands tied this summer, owing to the financial uncertainties which most clubs will face due to the COVID-19 crisis. However, that wouldn’t necessarily mean that Liverpool would refrain from spending, especially if they manage to ship out a few of their own layers.