It’s been a tough season for Liverpool as hopes of a title charge have dwindled to clinging on in the race for Champions League football next term.
Jurgen Klopp’s side sit 10th place in the Premier League table after 20 games and having collected only 29 points.
For many other teams a collapse in form of this magnitude would put pressure on the manager, but given the success Klopp has brought to the club including the Premier League and Champions League titles, he isn’t getting sacked anytime soon.
In fact, backed by the majority of the supporters he is more likely to be trusted with a summer rebuild, where funds could be short given the club’s FSG owners looking to sell.
It’s an open and shut case about Liverpool’s No 1 keeper. Not only is he one of the best at the club, he is arguably one of the best in the world. At 30 years old he is in his peak years as a stopper and with no sensible alternatives he must stay at Anfield.
Matip has served the club extremely well since joining from Schalke in 2016 but as another defender on the wrong side of 30, it could be to Liverpool’s benefit to now move on the former Cameroon international especially as he is out of contract next year. There is enough cover at the club to ensure it would not be too much of a risky move.
Liverpool should be looking to part company with Alex oxlade chamberlain. He hasn’t lived up to expectations at Liverpool since he signed from Arsenal and coupled with his frequent injury issues, he’s definitely one of the players to cut off at Liverpool.
Van Dijk should stay but it’s not one of the easier ‘keeps’ on this list. The Dutchman is still Liverpool’s best defender but he has been starting to struggle with injuries in the latter part of his career and at 31 is now going to start losing transfer market value. His form, while not dreadful, isn’t his best and it could be tempting to cash in now on a plus-£50million while the option is still there. It would though be a big gamble that is perhaps not worth taking.
A tricky one for Klopp. Tsimikas has largely been a reliable back-up for Robertson but doesn’t quite offer the attacking threat of the Scotland star. Liverpool might feel they can find a better alternative in the summer transfer window for the 26-year-old whose contract expires in 2025. There’s no rush to sell the Greece international but should a high bid of over £20million come in, then it would be one worth considering.
This is the major area of the team where Jurgen Klopp must add quality over the summer but one player who should stick around for the rebuild should be the Brazilian. He may not be part of the long term plans as he approaches 30-years-old but he most certainly will be crucial short term, and with a contract until 2026 there is no pressure to sell.
