The summer transfer window is fast approaching and Liverpool fans are yearning for news about potential signings. With our chances of making the Champions League now slim to none, we’re all hoping for a quick response from Brendan Rodgers and co next season.
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Liverpool transfer news
There’s been plenty of discussion about who might be staying and who might be going after a difficult year, as well as who might be coming in. So, we’ve attempted to do the impossible and predict how our squad might look at the start of next season.
Click through the pages below to see a position-by-position discussion on who we need to keep, who we need to let go and where we need to strengthen. Disagree? Let us know why below.
Goalkeepers
Prediction: Simon Mignolet, New Signing 1 (Neto), Lawrence Vigouroux
Who’s Staying: Most Liverpool fans have had their faith in Mignolet renewed after five months of consistency. The Belgian, who is on course to win the Premier League’s golden glove award, was voted our player of the season earlier this week. His miraculous turnaround – let’s not forget that he was dropped in favour of Brad Jones in December – has lessened the need for a new keeper and has hugely eased our previous concerns over the position.
Who’s Going: Jones is out of contract at the end of the season and has been left out of Brendan Rodgers’ squad for several weeks, following reports of the player’s unhappiness being leaked to the press. The story in question, seen here in The Metro, certainly suggests that the Australian’s Liverpool career is coming to an end. We also think third choice keeper, Danny Ward, could be replaced by Vigouroux, who signed a new two-year contract last week.
Who’s Needed: A decent back-up who will keep Simon Mignolet on his toes. Fiorentina’s Brazilian goalkeeper, Neto, is the overwhelming favourite. The Liverpool Echo believe that we have already seen off competition from Juventus for the player and are closing in on a deal. The 25-year-old is set to leave the Italian side at the end of the season and is available on a free transfer. He was also recently called up to Brazil’s national squad.
Full-Backs
Prediction: New Signing 2 (Martin Montoya), Javier Manquillo, Alberto Moreno, Jose Enrique
Who’s Staying: Alberto Moreno is arguably the only established full-back left in the Liverpool squad. We’ll be hoping he continues to improve and make good on his potential next season. Enrique has another year left on his contract and it seems unlikely that he’ll be ditched any sooner than 2016. Manquillo has also struggled this season but has 12 months remaining on his loan deal, so may as well stay put in a back-up role.
Who’s Going: Glen Johnson is out of contract and is believed to be in talks with West Ham United, at least according to the Daily Express. Jon Flanagan is also out of contract but injury will ensure that he misses most of next season regardless of whether he stays.
Who’s Needed: A first-choice right-back would not go amiss but is likely to be low priority. Emre Can has proved that he can play when needed, while Andre Wisdom could also fill in upon his return from West Bromwich Albion. Barcelona’s Martin Montoya has been suggested on multiple occasions, including here by the Daily Mail. The 24-year-old Spaniard is out of favour with the Champions League finalists and could be available on the cheap.
Centre-Backs
Prediction: Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho, New Signing 3 (Rod Fanni), Andre Wisdom
Who’s Staying: Skrtel’s contract expires at the end of next season but he is widely expected to commit to a new deal, according to the The Guardian. Mamadou Sakho has impressed this season and will compete with Dejan Lovren, who has been much improved recently, for the second centre back spot. Andre Wisdom will return from his loan spell and should be retained as back-up, with the view of bringing him through where possible.
Who’s Going: Kolo Toure is out of contract and is unlikely to be retained. The veteran defender is well past his prime and would serve little purpose if he were to sign an extension. It’s also hard to see futures for the likes of Sebastian Coates or Tiago Ilori, who have struggled with their respective loan deals.
Who’s Needed: An experienced defender who can take over the ‘Toure role’. We have a very youthful squad and we should not underestimate the influence of these so-called older players. Rod Fanni from Marseille is a versatile option who could also fill in at right-back when needed. He’d be a bit-part player but could do a job when called upon. He’s been linked with us by The Guardian among others.
Midfielders
Prediction: Jordan Henderson (c), Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Emre Can, New Signing 4 (Mateo Kovacic)
Who’s Staying: Jordan Henderson will be handed the captains armband, while Joe Allen will be expected to start contributing more regularly. Lucas should be retained in a back-up role while Emre Can will be promoted from emergency defender to star midfielder (we hope). Rodgers will also be looking at bringing through some of the younger players, such as Pedro Chirivella and Cameron Brannagan, who have both starred for the reserve side.
Who’s Going: Departing skipper Steven Gerrard joins LA Galaxy at the end of the season. Luis Alberto is unlikely to be retained having struggled to impress with Malaga this season.
Who’s Needed: The loss of Gerrard is going to leave a big hole for Rodgers to fill. Kovacic is a young player with bags of potential, who would go down a treat with the Anfield faithful. We’ve had success poaching players from Inter Milan in the past (Coutinho) and would love to add another name to that list. This is no novice either. The 21-year-old Croatian is already a full-international with two full seasons of Serie A football under his belt. Let’s hope the Daily Mirror is right in its thinking when it says a deal is possible. James Milner is a cheaper alternative.
Attacking Midfielders
Prediction: Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho, Adam Lallana, Lazar Markovic, Jordon Ibe
Who’s Staying: Lallana and Markovic are both relatively new additions and will get at least another season to get things right. Coutinho, our star player this season, has only recently signed a new contract, while Ibe will become a fully-fledged member of Rodgers’ squad. There are a lot of questions still to be answered regarding Raheem Sterling’s future, as the Daily Mail explains, but most Liverpool fans are continuing to hope that he’ll stay. There are also lots of young players waiting in the wings should he go, including Ryan Kent, Harry Wilson, Sheyi Ojo and Sergi Canos.
Who’s Going: Sterling is the only possible departure here and that’s a saga that’s going to run and run.
Who’s Needed: A replacement for Raheem Sterling, should he leave. Paul-Georges Ntep is a possibility, although he’s recently denied reports that he was set to join us (via Goal.com).
Strikers
Prediction: Daniel Sturridge, New Signing 5 (Christian Benteke), Divock Origi, New Signing 6 (Danny Ings)
Who’s Staying: Sturridge is a world class striker but needs time to get himself fit. Origi will return from his loan spell with Lille and will likely join Rodgers’ new-look attack. Jerome Sinclair and Samed Yesil will both be looking for opportunities, particularly after the former made his Premier League debut against Chelsea last weekend, although loan moves are perhaps preferable for both players at this moment in time.
Who’s Going: Rickie Lambert, Mario Balotelli and Fabio Borini have managed just four Premier League goals between them this season and all look certain to go (via The Metro). They’ll likely be joined by Iago Aspas, whose only Liverpool goal came in the FA Cup against Oldham Athletic. He’s spent this season on loan at Sevilla.
Who’s Needed: We need at least two strikers to help Sturridge and Origi. Christian Benteke is probably the only big-money buy we’ll be able to convince without having Champions League football to offer. The Belgian has scored 11 goals in his last 12 games for Aston Villa and could be available for around £30m, according to the Daily Mirror. Danny Ings, who has netted ten times this season, is out of contract at Burnley and will be available on a free. He’s only 22 and will provide a useful back-up option. He’s been linked by the Liverpool Echo.
