Liverpool is anticipated to make changes in the summer following a campaign that has, at least thus far, been as uninspiring as the one before it was fantastic.
Dreams of the quadruple have been temporarily replaced by mid-table mediocrity, and while a complete purge would be an extreme idea, it is likely that this summer will see more personnel changes for the first team than the previous four.
Not the least of which is the fact that the Reds have no fewer than five players whose contracts expire at the conclusion of the season. This indicates that there is a very apparent potential to upgrade and invest in new talent.
But with five months left in the current season, who will depart Anfield in the summer and will any of them be able to continue competing?
All six players, including loanee Arthur Melo, have been examined by the ECHO, and a conclusion has been reached regarding whether the club should be rigid or flexible when it comes to contract negotiations…
Roberto Firmino
For the previous six seasons, Brazilian Firmino has been a crucial part of Liverpool’s attacking trio, serving as the glue that kept together the faltering offensive triad that included Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah. The Reds have swept the board in major awards thanks to “Bobby,” as he is popularly called by fans, who has scored 107 goals in 348 games.
However, the additions of Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez to the attacking line-up made the 31-year-old consider ending his illustrious eight-year stay on Merseyside. Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz also presented more than a challenge to his position in the starting XI.
Jurgen Klopp has stated that he wants to keep Firmino at Anfield through the end of this season, but he will undoubtedly receive multiple offers from other clubs in England, Europe, and beyond.
Decision: Stick
If Firmino can be persuaded to sign a new contract, he can still do a fantastic job for the Reds, with his experience serving as a crucial element in integrating the younger players into the team. Firmino possesses a unique skill set that is not replicated by another forward at the club.
Naby Keita
Keita was brought to Anfield with huge expectations after Liverpool purchased his services from RB Leipzig for £52.75 million in 2017, but he was delayed for a full year. YouTube videos of the Guinean international tackling opponents and scoring 25-yard screamers definitely whetted the desire of spectators, but in his four and a half years at the club, he has never been able to hold down a regular midfield starting position.
11 goals and 7 assists come from his 125 outings.
Decision: Twist
Keita simply hasn’t lived up to his potential, and with no evidence that negotiations are moving forward, he appears destined to depart this summer. Currently, he is given a chance to start again, although it appears unlikely that will continue past this term. The only sadness is that Liverpool won’t be able to recover any of their significant investment when he leaves on a free transfer.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
In 2017, midfielder Oxlade-Chamberlain moved from Arsenal to Anfield in search of a fresh start. It was a decision that ultimately paid off for the now-29-year-old, who has gone on to win nearly all of the major awards available to him during that time.
Despite making some significant contributions, like Keita, with his 18 goals and 15 assists, injuries, including a major one, have contributed to keeping him from claiming a starting position in the team.
Decision: Twist
At this point in his career, Oxlade-Chamberlain is deserving of a weekly spot in the first squad. But if midfield additions are made the following summer, it appears doubtful that they will be at Liverpool in 2019.
John Milner
Mr. Reliable of Liverpool has already surpassed expectations by joining the Reds for his eighth season this year. Not only that, but since August he has already made 22 appearances, which I’m sure even Milner himself didn’t anticipate at the beginning of the season. Time is not on the veteran’s side as he recently turned 37, but his knowledge and leadership are still as valuable as ever as Liverpool try to redefine themselves in a difficult season.
Decision: Stick
James Milner
Mr. Reliable of Liverpool has already surpassed expectations by joining the Reds for his eighth season this year. Not only that, but since August he has already made 22 appearances, which I’m sure even Milner himself didn’t anticipate at the beginning of the season. Time is not on the veteran’s side as he recently turned 37, but his knowledge and leadership are still as valuable as ever as Liverpool try to redefine themselves in a difficult season.
Decision: Stick
This might be contentious, and if it had been asked before the beginning of the season, most people would have believed that this was Milner’s final campaign.
However, with only a minor decline in fitness and the benefit of being able to give him the spot of a homegrown player, Klopp’s “Milly” may have done enough to win himself one more year in a red shirt while the larger squad undergoes engineering work. Who could have imagined it?
Arthur Melo
Day of the summer loan signing deadline Arthur was expected to offer a much-needed extra body that could seize the ball and aid with match control. Unfortunately, tearing a quad muscle has limited his time on the field to less than 30 minutes, with the remainder of his time being spent in the medical facility.
Decision: Twist
Although it appears doubtful that Arthur would appear again after that, he may still have some impact on how Liverpool performs in the second half of the season. The Reds’ injury issues are already too numerous.
Adrian
When Adrian, a glovesman from Spain, responded to Liverpool’s plea for a backup goaltender in 2019, it was rather a bizarre turn of events because nine days later, Adrian assisted the Reds in winning the UEFA Super Cup in a penalty shootout.
He has only made 26 appearances since then, and only two of those came in the past 18 months.
Decision: Twist
Adrian couldn’t have joined the Reds at a better moment, having already won a hat trick of significant awards from the bench. However, surely the siesta is over by now?
Â
Â