Four in, four out for Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this summer
Lee Gormley | July 19, 2016
Four in, four out for Klopp at Anfield
After leading Liverpool to an eighth-place finish in the Premier League and helping them reach Europa League and Capital One Cup finals, German boss Jurgen Klopp is hoping for better success in his upcoming first full season in charge at Anfield.
In order to challenge for silverware and put up a stronger battle domestically the former Borussia Dortmund coach has already made several signings, having snapped up Sadio Mane, Loris Karius and Joel Matip.
Though, he isn’t finished there, having outlined his intentions to land further additions in this summer transfer window, while also admitting some current players have no future.
“A few things will happen I am pretty sure. I don’t know exactly what but on both sides, it makes no sense to stay in the squad and be in the squad when you don’t have a real opportunity to play,” declared the 49-year-old.
“When there’s no chance to play, it makes absolutely no sense. The players are young. We will not give on loan our very young players, absolutely no chance.
“We have a few players, maybe who want to leave us and I am pretty sure it will happen – and one or two more players will join us from other clubs. It’s a long time until the 31st of August and we have to work a little bit.”
Jordan Ibe, Sergi Canos, Jordan Rossiter, Jerome Sinclair, Martin Skrtel and Kolo Toure have all been shown the Anfield exit door by Klopp and, after his recent comments, Coral look at four players that could follow suit, as well as another four that should arrive…
Players out
Mario Balotelli
The Reds have been installed at 8/1 to lift their first ever Premier League trophy under Klopp next term, though Klopp’s earlier remarks proved that he sees no use for several names next term when trying to achieve that feat.
That will undoubtedly include attacking misfit Balotelli, who endured another unimpressive loan spell at AC Milan last campaign, having netted just three times across 26 appearances.
The 25-year-old has struck only four goals since joining the Anfield outfit permanently in 2014 for £16m, having been captured as a replacement for Luis Suarez, who has since enjoyed huge success at Barcelona.
Although, with Daniel Sturridge the main man up front for Liverpool, Danny Ings returning from injury and Mane arriving from Southampton, it looks like Balotelli will be seeking a way out of his Merseyside nightmare.
Christian Benteke
Crystal Palace have been linked with a move for out-of-favour forward Benteke, with Klopp seemingly keen to offload the Belgium international to make room for a potential attacking arrival.
The misfiring striker started his career brightly in red but faltered when Klopp took charge, netting just three league goals in 2016.
After arriving from Aston Villa for a substantial £32.5m last year, Benteke has failed to live up to expectations and his relationship with coach Klopp looked to have broken down in the defeat to Southampton in March, when he was given a very public a telling off at full-time.
Lazar Markovic
Since arriving at Anfield in 2014, Markovic has showed in glimpses why he was purchased for from Benfica for £20m, but his lack of consistency has seen him become a bit-part player on Merseyside.
The 22-year-old wideman was loaned out to Fenerbahce last term but his season ended prematurely due to an injury sustained in February.
It looks unlikely that the Serbia international attacker will be able to revive his form and fortunes under Klopp this upcoming campaign, with the club reportedly willing to listen to offers and Portuguese giants Sporting Lisbon currently interested.
Lucas Leiva
A new midfielder is believed to be high on Klopp’s wishlist this summer, leaving the door open for Brazilian Leiva to depart, with Turkish club Galatasaray being potential suitors.
The long-serving Anfield anchorman, now 29 years of age, was a constant feature for Liverpool last season, but Klopp is targeting a more esteemed star to be the focus of his central areas.
Leiva has been a good servant for his current employers, having spent almost a decade at Anfield, but his time could soon be up as Klopp looks to refresh his squad.
Players in
Georginio Wijnaldum
Despite suffering relegation last term with Newcastle United, Dutch midfielder Wijnaldum was a stand-out performer during their rare moments of success, having lashed in 11 Premier League goals.
The dynamic attacker also produced five assists as the Toon went down under the guidance of Rafael Benitez, and Liverpool look in pole position to land the £20m-rated playmaker.
Tottenham had previously been linked, but Klopp may push hard for his signature to add another impressive forward to his Reds ranks, with the versatile Netherlands international having only signed for Newcastle last year for £14.5m from PSV Eindhoven.
Ragnar Klavan
With injuries having been picked up by Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez, while Kolo Toure and Martin Skrtel departed the club, Klopp is in desperate need of reinforcements in his backline.
Estonia international skipper Klavan has become a surprise name to fill that void, with the 30-year-old Augsburg centre back being seen as a potential candidate to help ease Klopp’s defensive woes.
The left-footer, who won the Eredivisie title under Louis van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar, is a commanding figure and his highly-physical approach would be an ideal replacement for Skrtel, while he is also comfortable on the ball, making him an attractive option.
Jonas Hector
A solid Euro 2016 campaign was enjoyed by Germany and Cologne full back Hector, with the 26-year-old having boosted his reputation, and probably price-tag, with his impressive showings on the left flank.
The left back position is somewhat of a problem area for Klopp at the moment, with Alberto Moreno being prone to errors, and the German tactician may look to his compatriot Hector as a resolution.
Hector featured 45 times last season for club and country, including in his nation’s run to the semi-finals in France, and a move to Anfield may be an attractive proposition for the talented wideman.
Alexandre Lacazette
Both Arsenal and West Ham United have been heavily linked with Lyon hitman Lacazette, with the Hammers having had an offer previously rejected by the Ligue 1 club, though Liverpool may join the race for his services too.
Klopp will hopefully have funds available from offloading those unwanted players this summer, and they could fund a huge bid for the French frontman in the coming weeks, after he struck 21 league goals last term.
The 25-year-old marksman could flourish under the watchful eye of Klopp, like so many players did during his reign at Dortmund, and a clinical partnership with Sturridge is a mouth-watering prospect for the Anfield faithful.
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