Jurgen Klopp has made a pretty strong statement to players currently out of favour at Liverpool to either find a new club or face a season on the sidelines.
Jordon Ibe, Sergi Canos and Martin Skrtel have already departed, but more are set to join them shortly.
The manager was speaking after the friendly win over Wigan at the weekend, and the Mirror have boldly named the six players who they expect to leave Liverpool shortly.
These are: Christian Benteke, Mario Balotelli, Tiago Ilori, Lazar Markovic, Lucas and Adam Bogdan.
“A few things will happen, I’m pretty sure,” said the German. “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.
“When there’s no chance to play, it makes absolutely no sense.
“We have a few players, maybe, who want to leave us and I’m pretty sure that 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.”
Bogdan will soon join Wigan (via Echo), while Markovic is a big target for Sporting Lisbon – who are coached by his former Benfica manager Jorge Jesus (via Record). Balotelli is 100% up for sale with Klopp confirming as much, while Galatasaray have tabled a £2.5m bid for Lucas (via talkSPORT). Ilori is way down the centre-back pecking order, and with Ragnar Klavan arriving (via Telegraph) he’s surplus to requirements. Similarly, Benteke is behind the likes of Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Danny Ings and Roberto Firmino up top, so will be allowed to leave – although it remains to be seen who’ll pay his asking price and extravagant wages.
With the likes of Loris Karius, Marko Grujic, Joel Matip and Sadio Mane already signed, with Klavan and Georginio Wijnaldum on the way (via Telegraph), and no European football next term, it makes complete sense for Klopp to cut the dead wood.
Let’s hope transfers are done quickly and for decent fees.