The Liverpool Echo has compiled the most comprehensive list yet of players expected to leave Anfield this summer, with Brendan Rodgers being called upon to make sweeping changes to his struggling side during the off-season.
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We already know that Steven Gerrard is en route to LA Galaxy when his contract expires at the end of the season, but the Echo have also called into question the futures of Glen Johnson, Brad Jones, Iago Aspas, Mario Balotelli, Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert, Sebastian Coates, Luis Alberto, Kolo Toure, Jose Enrique and Javier Manquillo.
In the list below we analyse the Liverpool careers of each of these players thus far and discuss how disappointed we will be to see them go…
Steven Gerrard
There’s not much we can do about this one, with the deal done and dusted. His manner of departure is going to be somewhat underwhelming – with his final game being a trip to Stoke City – but that should not take away from the fact that he’s been a wonderful servant to this club. His underwhelming performances this season suggest that the right decision has been made, but surely he should have been allowed to retire a Red. We vote No, on the basis that a short-term contract should have been offered.
Right time to go? – NO
Glen Johnson
You’ll notice that there are a lot of defenders on this list and we feel it would be foolish to dispatch all of our experienced players in one fell swoop. Despite the criticism of Johnson over recent months and even years, you don’t get to 200 plus Liverpool games without having something about you. He’s capable of playing on both the right and left, so if he’d be willing to accept a reduced terms deal then he’d be a more than useful back-up option.
Right time to go? – NO
Brad Jones
You have to feel sorry for the Australian, who finally looked set to get his chance when he surpassed Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool pecking order back in December, only to pick up an injury that would then keep him out for several months. Upon his return, a revitalised Mignolet was back to being our established number one. Jones is probably not Premier League quality and Mignolet needs some stronger competition to keep him on his toes.
Right time to go? – YES
Rickie Lambert
Was that goal at Villa as good as it gets for the big man? After waiting his entire career for a fresh opportunity with his boyhood club, it’s been a desperately disappointing season for the England target-man, with just three goals to his name. Unfortunately, he simply doesn’t fit our style of play. You might argue that he hasn’t been given a fair chance but he’s featured 31 times in all competitions. Ultimately, it was a cheap gamble which hasn’t paid off.
Right time to go? – YES
Mario Balotelli
Another Rodgers gamble that has fallen short. A lot of Liverpool fans have questioned the Italian’s lack of game-time in recent weeks, but it’s his off the field problems that remain just as big an issue as those he’s having on the pitch. For whatever reason, he’s never been able to keep himself out of the headlines, and it’s a distraction we simply don’t need. While Lambert hasn’t got the legs to fit the system, Balotelli simply goes missing too often.
Right time to go? – YES
Fabio Borini
Rodgers could ditch all three of these players this summer – something that would leave us with just an injury-plagued Daniel Sturridge and an inexperienced Divock Origi to play with. This means new forwards are an absolute priority in the summer.
Right time to go? – YES
Iago Aspas
Simply not good enough. His only Liverpool goal came last season against Oldham Athletic. He’s netted ten goals in 19 games during his loan spell at Sevilla, but before you get too excited it’s worth pointing out that seven of those were in the Spanish Cup against lower-league opposition. A decent player for a team fighting relegation, not chasing Europe.
Right time to go? – YES
Sebastian Coates
Once considered one of the most promising defenders in world football after starring for Uruguay. Unfortunately, injuries have got the better of him – restricting him to just 24 appearances for the Reds. Now 24, his loan deal with Sunderland this season was surely his final chance to establish himself. As it is, he’s made just seven appearances in all competitions and looks unlikely to retain a future playing Premier League football for a great deal longer.
Right time to go? – YES
Luis Alberto
Still only 22, we’d like to see him given a second chance, at least during our pre-season campaign. A versatile midfielder who adds nicely to our squad depth, he’s never going to be a starter next season, but there could yet be a place for him on the bench. He’s made 20 appearances on loan at Malaga this season, scoring twice, and while that’s not as impressive a return as we might of been hoping for there’s still enough potential there to warrant him a chance.
Right time to go? – NO
Kolo Toure
An experienced defender who has perhaps served his purpose over the last two seasons. He was never going to be a regular in our team and now at 34 his chances are only going to continue receding. He was struggling to even make the bench towards the end of last season and deserves credit for re-establishing himself in Brendan Rodgers’ plans this season. However, we should have better players to call upon if we have realistic top four ambitions.
Right time to go? – YES
Jose Enrique
The 29-year-old has barely featured over the last two years, playing just 12 Premier League games. While we’d love to see him taken on in a new role as our Social Media guru, it seems unfair to expect the Spaniard to put up with a bit-part role once he’s returned to full-fitness. Alberto Moreno is now the established first-choice left-back and it only seems a matter of time before the former Newcastle United man is on his way out of Merseyside.
Right time to go? – YES
Javier Manquillo
Definitely deserves more of a chance next season, albeit with his future highly dependant on the fate of his fellow right-backs – Glen Johnson and Jon Flanagan. The 20-year-old is approaching the half-way point of a two-year loan deal from Atletico Madrid and is seems pointless to cut that short, even if he’s only retained in a back-up role. His 19 league and cup appearances so far this season have included some promising moments as well.
Right time to go? – NO
