As the end of the 2020-21 campaign approaches near, the Reds would enter the summer transfer window with much vigour to rebuild the first-team ranks at Anfield.
In the aftermath of what is largely tipped to be a torrid title-defence from Jurgen Klopp’s Merseyside men, the pressure would be on the Liverpool FC gaffer to clear out his side’s deadwood and bring in fresh faces.
There is no doubt that there are some players who would be keen to take the exit door out of Anfield this summer in lieu of warming the bench and Klopp would make the most of such an opportunity to raise funds from the sales to finance his desired signings.
Here are three players who we believe are certain to call it quits in the Liverpool FC colours ahead of next season-
1. Divock Origi
The Belgian international has largely been a sporadic first-teamer in the Anfield camp over the past two campaigns and despite being given a look in across the ongoing Premier League season, Origi has failed to deliver for his side when required upon the most.
He most notably missed an absolute sitter when given the rarest of top-flight starts as Burley came visiting Anfield earlier this year and Origi’s miss was the major highlight of the Reds crumbling to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Sean Dyche’s men, a first loss on their own patch in nearly four years.
Interest in the former Lille man, however, in spite of his recent run of discouraging form has been rampant with Inter Milan and Real Socedied understood to be in the race to land his signature.
2. Joel Matip
Matip is a class performer on the pitch and his commanding showings in the heart of the Liverpool FC backline has earned the Cameroon international a great number of staunch supporters in the club’s fanbase.
However, the 29-year-old is perhaps the most injury-prone first-team option available at Jurgen Klopp’s disposal and when the first-choice pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez were sidelined with season-ending injuries, a lot was expected from Matip to lead the Reds defence from the front, only for him to sustain another injury, one which would rule him out too for the remainder of the campaign.
Truth is that Jugen Klopp’s patience with his centre-half option might be running low in light of recent developments and while there is no questioning Matip’s ability and discipline, the former Schalke man has had a stroke of severely bad luck with injuries which has threatened his spot as a first-team regular for the Merseysiders.
3. Xherdan Shaqiri
The Swiss international was once relied upon by Jurgen Klopp as the go-to man off the bench for Liverpool FC and Shaqiri repaid the German’s faith by delivering a series of splendid displays across the 2018-19 season.
Things, however, seemed to have gone quite a downturn for the former Inter Milan and Bayern Munich man ever since with the 28-year-old forward. despite sporadic flashes of attacking genius, failing to claim regular first-team involvement.
Heading into this summer window, Shaqiri’s case draws quite sharp similarities to Divock Origi as the former too remains a source of interest from a host of top European heavyweights.
Sevilla are understood to be in the reckoning to extend an offer for the forgotten Liverpool FC man and the Spanish club are hoping to acquire the talents of Shaqiri along with another of Klopp’s fringe options Takumi Minamino who is currently away on a loan spell at Southampton.