Brendan Rodgers has told his Liverpool players in no uncertain terms that they need to shape up or face the exit door this summer, following Tuesday evening’s 1-0 defeat at the hands of Hull City.
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Liverpool transfer news
The Kop boss was unsurprisingly grilled in his post-match press conference, with one of the biggest talking points being the performance of £16m summer signing Mario Balotelli, who again failed to add to his rather disappointing goal tally of one in the Premier League.
However, Rodgers was quick to point out that it’s not just the Italian who’s under pressure. The Liverpool Echo quote him as saying: “Every single player, every day you come into work at Liverpool, you’re working for your future.”
With that in mind, we’ve taken a look at our squad as a whole. We’ve analysed each player and given them a rating based on how likely we think they are to be retained during the off-season, with ten being completely safe and one being certain to leave. Check it out below…
GOALKEEPERS
Simon Mignolet – Much improved since the turn of the year and now the firmly established first choice between the posts. Arguably our stand-out player this season, a sad enticement of our recent struggles. With Jones likely to depart (see below), there’s still a slight chance Mignolet’s position could be usurped.
Job Security: 8/10
Brad Jones – You get the sense that his chance came and went back in December, after injury ended his hopes of making the number one spot his own. His contract comes to an end soon and it’s hard to see it being renewed.
Job Security: 2/10
FULL BACKS
Glen Johnson – Struggled against Hull on Tuesday and looks a shadow of his former self. With his contract also running out at the end of the season, it’s hard to see us not taking the opportunity to get his huge wages off the books. He’s been a fine servant and deserves more recognition than he gets but his time is up.
Job Security: 3/10
Jose Enrique – Has another year left on his contract and looks likely to see it out, if only for the fact that it’s hard to see anyone else taking him. That’s not to say he’s not a good player. He’s endured a lot of problems with injuries over recent years, so it’s more likely we’ll keep him around for his experience than anything else.
Job Security: 6/10
Alberto Moreno – It took a lengthy transfer saga for us to eventually convince Sevilla to part with Moreno last summer, so it’s hard to see us throwing that away. The Spaniard has been decent this season, if not spectacular. He’s made a couple of high-profile errors but generally he has been impressive, and shows clear potential.
Job Security: 7/10
Javier Manquillo – Has barely featured since the turn of the year and seems to lack the quality to play for us regularly at this stage of his career. Nonetheless, Rodgers might choose to let him see out the final year of his loan deal, if only for a bit of added cover.
Job Security: 5/10
Jon Flanagan – Out of contract in the summer but surely likely to sign a new deal. Having been injured for the entirety of our current campaign he’s entirely blameless for our downturn in fortunes. As a key member of last season’s side, and a youth product, a new contract should be welcomed with open arms by supporters.
Job Security: 6/10
CENTRE BACKS
Kolo Toure – A bit-part player throughout his time at the club and coming to the end of his two-year deal. A useful player in terms of his experience but hardly someone who is irreplaceable. It’s hard to seem him playing any sort of significant role next season were he to stay.
Job Security: 3/10
Dejan Lovren – It’s been a frustrating season for the £20m summer signing from Southampton, who’s spent a large portion of the campaign watching it from the sidelines as an unused substitute. He’s shown a few small signs of improvement recently and has probably done enough to earn a second chance.
Job Security: 6/10
Mamadou Sakho – Arguably our best defender this season. The Frenchman has certainly been missed since limping out of the FA Cup game with Blackburn. Prior to then he was looking increasingly more assured and comfortable in the team. A regular next season for sure.
Job Security: 8/10
Martin Skrtel – The long-serving Slovakian has been as reliable as ever this season, with any slight blips primarily overshadowed by the struggles of those around him. He’s still waiting on a new contract however, with his current deal set to expire in just over a years time.
Job Security: 6/10
CENTRE MIDFIELDERS
Steven Gerrard – Already on his way out, having agreed to join LA Galaxy in the summer.
Job Security: N/A
Jordan Henderson – Off the back of signing a new long-term contract at the club, only a ridiculous offer from one of the European elite could surely prize him away from Liverpool and prevent him being our new captain.
Job Security: 9/10
Lucas Leiva – The Brazilian still has a couple of years left on his contract and has surely done enough this season to suggest that he deserves to stay on, at least in a bit-part role. Our record is certainly better with him in and around the team, so you can’t see Rodgers dismissing that this summer.
Job Security: 7/10
Emre Can – Has generally been excellent since the turn of the year. His form has waned slightly in recent weeks but he’s still by far and away our best signing of last summer’s transfer window. It will be interesting to see if and when he adapts to his more natural midfield position.
Job Security: 8/10
Joe Allen – A heavily chastised member of Liverpool’s squad but a player who seems unlikely to be going anywhere. Rodgers certainly values the Welshman’s abilities highly and it’s hard to deny that he’s been improving over the course of the current campaign. He deserves at least one more season.
Job Security: 7/10
ATTACKING MIDFIELDERS
Philippe Coutinho – Signed a new long-term deal earlier this year. The Brazilian is now our prize asset and it would take an incredible offer to drag him away from Merseyside. He’s certainly been our stand-out player this season, as demonstrated by his trio of PFA nominations, with next season likely to see the side built around him.
Job Security: 9/10
Adam Lallana – Has struggled with fitness problems during his first season at the club. Considering the amount of money spent of his signature it’s hard to see Rodgers giving up on him after just a single season. We need to see him playing at his best before we make any rash decisions.
Job Security: 7/10
Raheem Sterling – His future is definitely in the balance as his contract negotiations drag on. As the Daily Mail explain, the youngster has got it badly wrong in his approach to getting the deal he wants. Now his departure is a significant possibility, a real waste of such a wonderful talent.
Job Security: 5/10
Jordon Ibe – The youngster will look to fully-establish himself as a member of the first-team squad next season, after impressing upon his return from a loan deal with Derby County. He’s not going anywhere.
Job Security: 8/10
Lazar Markovic – It’s been a difficult season for the £20m man, who has struggled to adapt to life in English football. Chances have been few and far between for him recently and he’ll have to work hard to prove he belongs.
Job Security: 6/10
STRIKERS
Rickie Lambert – It’s not worked out for the boyhood Liverpool fan. His signing alone was a gamble and it’s one that hasn’t paid off for Rodgers. He doesn’t fit the system and it’s hard to see him not being moved on. He may have scored 13 goals and 10 assists for Southampton last season, but he hasn’t come close to matching that tally this term.
Job Security: 3/10
Daniel Sturridge – Injuries have restricted him to just seven Premier League starts this season – not good enough for a first choice striker. We can’t see him being sold during the summer window but he’ll need to prove next season that he’s capable of keeping himself going.
Job Security: 7/10
Fabio Borini – Rodgers appeared to have given up on him last summer, when he attempted to sell him to both Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers (via the Daily Mail). It didn’t happen and his chances have been limited ever since. Borini’s attitude is second to none – his effort on the pitch is clear to see – but unfortunately the quality hasn’t matched.
Job Security: 3/10
Mario Balotelli – Has fared little better than his strike partners, scoring just once in the Premier League all season. Another gamble, another player with a Liverpool future that’s looking increasingly under threat.
Job Security: 3/10
