The Liverpool Echo have published a list of 18 of our players whose futures they believe are still up for discussion during the summer transfer window. The list features an opinion poll on each player, with supporters voting on whether or not they’d like to see the player stay.
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Liverpool’s perfect summer: Eight in, seven out in ideal transfer world
Ranking Liverpool’s entire squad for the 2014-15 season from 25-1- Markovic 17th, Henderson 4th
Liverpool transfer news
We’ve compiled an intriguing set of results for you below, while we’ve included our own comments on each player, as we attempt to explain why the result has come out the way it has and whether or not the fans are likely to get their wish…
Brad Jones – 77% SELL
A quarter of our supporters would actually like to see the Australian stay put during the summer transfer window, no doubt taking into account his highly positive dressing room influence. However, the veteran back-up keeper is likely to depart, with his contract expiring next month and his exit already all but confirmed (via Liverpool Echo).
Fabio Borini – 88% SELL
Unsurprisingly, very few Liverpool fans are keen to see Borini stay this summer. The Italian has endured a fairly miserable three years on Merseyside, scoring just three goals in all competitions. His only glimmer of success came during a season-long loan with Sunderland, where he netted on ten occasions.
Iago Aspas – 94% SELL
Despite Borini’s lack of success, he’s a more popular man than Iago Aspas, for whom the Anfield exit is looming large. The 27-year-old scored just one goal last season – against Oldham Athletic in the FA Cup – and he has spent the current campaign on loan at Spanish side Sevilla. He surely won’t return…
Simon Mignolet – 89% KEEP
The Belgian’s reputation has soared upwards over the last six months and is now back at a similar level to when he first arrived at the club two years ago. After an extremely difficult spell of poor form, confidence has seemingly been restored in his abilities and he’ll start next season as our first choice goalkeeper.
Luis Alberto – 79% SELL
We’re a little surprised at this. We saw very little of Alberto during his first spell with us and we would certainly like to see a bit more before we write him off completely. Admittedly, he’s not had the best of seasons with Malaga, making just 15 La Liga appearances, but he’s still only 22 and that potential is in there somewhere.
Joe Allen – 74% KEEP
Almost three-quarters of Liverpool fans are prepared to keep faith in the Welshman, despite another under-par campaign which has seen him fall to the fringes of the team. Allen only featured in one of our last four games and was part of the side beaten 6-1 by Stoke City in his final appearance of the season, but we know he can do better.
Andre Wisdom – 59% KEEP
We’re surprised this is a low as it is and we think it’s mainly down to the fact that Liverpool fans haven’t seen much of him over the last couple of years. He’s had two fairly successful seasons away on loan – at Derby County and West Bromwich Albion – and there is no reason why he won’t be able to play a part next term.
Rickie Lambert – 68% SELL
Lambert has probably been the best of a bad bunch this season – for want of a better term. We’ve not had much luck when it’s come to strikers but Lambert has been decent at times, making the most of his occasional opportunities and probably justifying his £4m fee. He just doesn’t have the quality to make a regular impact.
Glen Johnson – 92% SELL
Poor Johnson. He doesn’t have many friends left at Liverpool. His contract is up next month and it’s hard to see him being given an extension, despite making 200 appearances for us over the last six years. His performances have been sketchy to say the least over the last couple of years and his exit comes at the right time for everyone.
Tiago Ilori – 73% KEEP
The 22-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance for Liverpool. He’s barely managed 20 games during loan spells in Spain and France and it’s hard to know where he’s going to go from here. Nonetheless, more of our fans want him to stay than go, so maybe his career with us is not as hopeless as it seems.
Mario Balotelli – 54% SELL
Despite scoring just one Premier League goal all season, almost half of our fans want to see the Italian given a stay of execution. That’s likely to be down to the very limited amount of game-time he’s received under Brendan Rodgers – just ten league starts all season and only 14 starts in all competitions.
Lucas Leiva – 86% KEEP
Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of Liverpool fans want to see the Brazilian stay put. The experienced midfielder is one of our longest-serving players following the departure of Steven Gerrard and his influence could be vital during this transitional period. He should still be able to do a job on the pitch as well.
Javi Manquillo – 56% SELL
This really is crazy. After all, the youngster is not even ours to sell. The 21-year-old is only on loan at Liverpool from Atletico Madrid and is currently mid-way through his two-year deal. It seems foolish to suggest that we’d cut that short when we’re so short on full-back options already, even if he spends another year on the bench.
Jose Enrique – 79% SELL
It’s been two years of injury problems for the Spaniard. Over the last year, he’s fallen behind Alberto Moreno in our pecking order and it now looks inevitable that he’s going to be on the way out. Surprisingly, one in five Liverpool fans would still be happy for him to stay but they look set to be disappointed.
Kolo Toure – 63% KEEP
The former Ivory Coast international signed a new contract this week to give 63% of Liverpool fans their wish. The veteran defender is a big presence behind the scenes and his experience could be vital in a mentor role next season. It will be interesting to see what part, if any, he plays on the pitch during that time.
Joao Carlos Teixeira – 73% KEEP
The 22-year-old Portuguese has shown plenty of positive signs and has had a great season with Championship side Brighton. Unfortunately, his progress has since been stalled by injury and it will be interesting to see if he’s able to make the step-up to the first-team upon his comeback. Three-quarters of our fans say that he can.
Sebastian Coates – 92% SELL
The Uruguayan was so highly rated when he first arrived at Liverpool but after a lengthy spell out through injury and a less than impressive spell on loan with Sunderland his time looks to be running out. It’s a comprehensive ‘no’ as it stands to the prospect of him staying put beyond the upcoming transfer window.
Jon Flanagan – 95% KEEP
Despite having missed the entire season through injury, the Liverpool fans have kept faith in the home-grown defender who we still hope could be the next big thing. He was excellent as we made second place in the Premier League last year and it’s such a shame that injuries have held him back the way they have.
