Liverpool ‘put seven stars up for sale’
Liverpool will reportedly offload up to seven players this summer as Jurgen Klopp refreshes his squad.
Having wrung everything out of his talented side over the last two seasons, Klopp’s Reds have stuttered this time around.
Astonishingly, Liverpool have lost their last six Premier League games at Anfield, slipping to seventh in the table.
Amid links with the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Kalidou Koulibaly and Donyell Malen – the Reds will clear space in their squad for fresh talent.
According the Mirror, as many as seven fringe players could leave.
Georginio Wijnaldum is likely to be their highest-profile exit, with the Dutchman’s contract set to expire.
read also:UEFA hands Euro 2020 spectator limit responsibility to host cities
The 30-year-old has been heavily linked with Barcelona, although the LaLiga giants are reportedly prioritising the renewal of wonderkid Ilaix Moriba’s contract.
Curtis Jones could take Wijnaldum’s place in Liverpool’s midfield.
Other big names on the Anfield chopping block include 2019 Champions League hero Divock Origi and Swiss star Xherdan Shaqiri.
The former scored against the Spurs as the Reds secured their sixth European Cup success the season before last.
But he has only bagged five times since, and Liverpool will be open to offers.
read also:UEFA hands Euro 2020 spectator limit responsibility to host cities
As for Shaqiri, the 29-year-old has played in only 19 Premier League games since the start of last season – although Liverpool still hope to make a profit on the £13million they spent to sign him from Stoke City in 2018.
The Reds are also unlikely to renew the contract of veteran goalkeeper Adrian, with the Spaniard – who played 11 times on the way to Premier League glory last season – having fallen behind Caoimhin Kelleher in the pecking order.
A trio of forgotten academy stars will also finally be in line for permanent exits.
Harry Wilson, 24, currently on loan at Cardiff, will be cashed in on, following similar spells at Bournemouth and Derby.
Ben Woodburn became Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer aged 17 and 45 days back in 2016, but has struggled to build on that promising start after suffering a series of injuries.
Now 21, the attacking midfielder is playing for the Reds’ Under-23s, following a disappointing loan spell at Blackpool during the first half of the season.
Sheyi Ojo made 13 senior appearances for Liverpool early in Klopp’s reign – but at 23, he, like Wilson, finds himself on loan at Cardiff – and will be offloaded this summer by the Reds.
One player that will be given another chance to shine at Anfield, however, is Japanese star Takumi Minamino.
The 26-year-old, who scored in his country’s 14-0 rout of Mongolia on Tuesday, has had a decent time on loan at Southampton – scoring smart finishes against Newcastle United and Chelsea in his six Saints outings to date.