Liverpool qualified for the Quarter-Finals of the UEFA Champions League era for the sixth time, and the second successive season after seeing off Bayern Munich in Germany on Wednesday night.
In the aftermath of their clash with the Bundesliga side, manager Jurgen Klopp said via BBC Sport:
“We’ve laid down a marker tonight that LFC is back on the top level of European football”
However, with a squad number of 24 players, there are certain few who ought to be shown the exit door at Anfield, so let’s take a look at who should be sold this summer…
Joel Matip
Virgil van Dijk joined Liverpool in a world record £75m deal in January 2018, the Dutchman needs a top-class partner to play with at the heart of defence.
Matip is not showing any signs he could be the man to partner Van Dijk in the long run. The 27-year-old showed his fallibility with his own goal against Bayern just few days after his mistake against Burnley.
Xherdan Shaqiri
Jason Burt, Chief Football Correspondent for The Daily Telegraph described him as as “stocky and powerful” with a “wand of a left foot, but Shaqiri has only made two Premier League starts, and has been benched for the Reds’ last three games. Also, he has just one start in the Champions League for Liverpool this season so far.
The winger joined Liverpool last summer from relegated Stoke City, and while many could argue that the Swiss ace has not been used in a proper way, a move away from Anfield might suit all parties involved.
Daniel Sturridge
It’s been six years to the day since Liverpool signed the England international.
A £12 million signing from Chelsea, Sturridge arrived at Liverpool under Brendan Rodgers and was pivotal in the Northern Irish manager’s long-term plan for the club.
However, he’s not the same player he was for Liverpool six years ago, and with his contract close to expiry, his future surely lies away from Merseyside.
Jordan Henderson
Henderson has been with Liverpool since 2011, and has racked up over 250 appearances. The 28-year-old was forced off with an ankle injury in the first half of their last-16 second-leg win against Bayern, and it’s very clear the club play far better without him in the first team setup.
Henderson should leave Liverpool in the summer and pass the captain armband over to Virgil van Dijk.
James Milner
A fan favourite, granted, a great utility man and a remarkable assist record. Milner has been a servant of the club for four years, after moving on a Bosman from Manchester City.
However, looking to the future, the ageing versatile man, with eighth most Premier League appearances (509) doesn’t seem the best option for Liverpool to compete at the top-level.
