Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is set to oversee a major squad overhaul this summer. Three players in particular need to be moved on by the German following Saturday’s loss at Manchester City.
The defeat at the Etihad showed the gulf that has evolved between the two clubs in such a short space of time. Less than a year ago, Liverpool was going toe to toe with City for the Premier League title.
Now they are 22 points behind and 30 adrift of leaders Arsenal. Not much has changed to the starting XI other than the players being a year older.
The wrong positions have been targeted in the transfer window. Midfield is an area that has been crying out for investment.
Cody Gakpo could prove to be a top signing in the long run. But surely the money spent on the Dutchman in January could have gone on a new player in the middle of the park.
Captain Jordan Henderson, who turns 33 this summer, is coming to the end of his 12th season at Anfield. There is no doubt he has been a top servant and will be forever remembered for being the Liverpool skipper to finally get his hands on a top-flight title.
But the time has come for him to move on. He has started just 15 league matches this season, so Klopp is already hinting that he is not a part of his plans going forward.
Henderson just can’t reach the level he used to, which was shown at the Etihad on Saturday. His midfield partner Fabinho turns 30 later this year.
Liverpool fans will have been hoping his form in the early stages of the season was just a blip. But it has carried on for the entire campaign so far.
The Brazilian is nowhere near the level of player he was in his first four seasons in the Premier League. He still has three years remaining on his contract, so finding a suitable buyer may be difficult.
Klopp would not have expected such a dramatic dropoff from the former Monaco star. He and Henderson have been regular picks of late, with both Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bacjetic out through injury.
But even with the usual starters struggling, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain cannot break into Klopp’s side. Injuries have hampered the England international in recent years but even when fit, it does not appear that he is a part of Klopp’s plans despite coming on as a substitute on Saturday.
Oxlade-Chamberlain’s contract expires at the end of the season. Liverpool is unlikely to offer him an extension but for the sake of his career, he shouldn’t accept it even if they did.
