Liverpool's squad is riddled with mediocrity - who should stay and who should go?

Liverpool's squad is riddled with mediocrity - who should stay and who should go?
09:00, 21 April 2015

Opinion
by HamishMackay


Brendan Rodgers will be hugely disappointed with how his side's season has gone and now faces another summer needing to make key changes in the transfer market

Clear out: Which Liverpool players need to be sold?

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Liverpool's season has been little more than a drawn out succession of failures.

After a brilliant campaign in 2013/14, Brendan Rodgers' side appeared on a trajectory that would bring at least one trophy the following season.

Instead, they limped out of the Champions League at the group stages, fell short in the League Cup, were knocked out of the FA Cup by a team they were expected to beat comfortably and are almost certain to miss out on finishing in the Premier League's top four.

Liverpool's season has been, as Malcolm Tucker would say, an omnishambles.

In their defence, they faced huge upheaval in the squad last summer and some players are still struggling to adapt. That shouldn't, however, hide the fact that many currently wearing the famous Red shirt aren't good enough to do so.

So, who should stay and who should go?

Simon Mignolet

Few Liverpool players have been criticised this season as much Mignolet. Much of that criticism has been deserved - any keeper that loses his place in the side to Brad Jones clearly isn't playing well - but some of it hasn't been.

In 30 league matches this season, Mignolet has racked up 13 clean sheets, that's more than twice as many as Hugo Lloris managed in the exact same number of games. Nobody at Tottenham is clamouring for the Frenchman to leave.

There are many aspects of Mignolet's game that need to improve, but the Belgian takes a lot of flak for his defender's mistakes and has shown as many examples of brilliant saves as he has costly errors.

Verdict: Stay (one more season to prove himself)

Brad Jones

This is an open and shut case. Jones's contract expires this summer and he's certain to leave. Even if his deal wasn't coming to an end, he needs to go.

It's staggering he's lasted so long at Liverpool. He joined for £2.3million five years ago and has failed to impress at almost every turn.

Verdict: Go

Mamadou Sakho

At his best Sakho's an intensely physical, committed defender who can compete with any Premier League striker. At his worst he's a liability who lacks concentration and struggles to distribute the ball effectively.

On paper, Sakho has the attributes to make a great defender, but football isn't played on paper.

Verdict: Go

Martin Skrtel

His brainless stamp on David de Gea and subsequent suspension proved costly for Liverpool but other than that the Slovakia international has been the most reliable player in Liverpool's back line this season.

Rodgers recently described Skrtel as important for the team on and off the field - his recent absence proved that to be true.

Verdict: Stay

Dejan Lovren

At £20million, Lovren is Liverpool's most expensive ever defender. He's also perhaps their most disappointing. The former Southampton man has struggled throughout the season.

Midfielder Emre Can and 34-year-old Kolo Toure have both been preferred at the back to Lovren in 2015. That speaks volumes about how much Rodgers trusts him.

Verdict: Go

Kolo Toure

Toure is a defender with a huge amount of experience. He's won the league twice, the FA Cup three times and the Africa Cup of Nations. That experience is valuable in a squad as young as Liverpool's.

Ultimately, though, Toure is a shadow of the player he once was. He'll be 35 next year and his performances aren't going to get any better.

Verdict: Go

Jose Enrique

The former Newcastle man is firmly behind Alberto Moreno in the pecking order. He's not good enough to start for Liverpool. As a back-up option, though, Enrique is passable. But passable isn't what a club striving for silverware and a seat at Europe's top table should be happy with.

Verdict: Go

Alberto Moreno

Moreno's had a mixed season since joining from Sevilla. A definite improvement on Enrique, he's impressed going forward.

Some of his defending (in the defeat by Arsenal, for example) has been worrying but allowances have to be made for foreign defenders playing their first season in the Premier League. He will improve.

Verdict: Stay

Glen Johnson

Another whose contract is up at the end of the season, Johnson has been a good servant for Liverpool. He hasn't convinced everyone at Anfield but on his day he's a quality full-back with considerable experience.

His performances over the course of the last year, though, have been below par. Johnson has said he wants to stay but he seems to be lacking motivation. The change may serve both parties well.

Verdict: Go

Javier Manquillo

Due to return to Atletico Madrid when his loan finishes, the young Spaniard has done little to suggest he deserves to stay. Liverpool will almost certainly be in need of a right back come the summer but Manquillo isn't the answer.

Verdict: Go

Emre Can

One of the highlights of Liverpool's season, Can has excelled in defence. For a player so young to perform so well in a league and position that are new to him demonstrate that Can can be a star of the future.

Verdict: Stay

Jordan Henderson

This is a no-brainer. Henderson has developed at the same rate at which Steven Gerrard appears to have declined. The club must tie Henderson down to a new long-term deal. Rodgers is likely to build his team around the former Sunderland midfielder.

Verdict: Stay

Lucas

Liverpool look more balanced when Lucas plays at the base of the midfield. He plays with a consistency that is bereft from many of his teammates.

At 28-years-old Lucas is approaching his prime. His distribution may not be the best but Lucas is an important and dependable part of Rodgers' squad.

Verdict: Stay

Joe Allen

Like Lucas, he's a valuable cog in the system. One goal from 33 appearances this season suggest he won't often (or ever) be the match winner, but he deserves his place in this squad.

Verdict: Stay

Adam Lallana

The former Southampton captain admitted he has not lived up to his price tag. Four league goals and three assists is a disappointing return for a midfielder who cost £25m.

Unlike many in the squad, though, Lallana has the talent to play for Liverpool, he just needs to find the form.

Verdict: Stay

Philippe Coutinho

Nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award, Coutinho has been the spark in a Liverpool team so often strewn with errors. The more adjusted he gets to the Premier League, the better he'll get.

Verdict: Stay

Jordon Ibe

He may not have progressed at the rate many expected he would over the last two seasons but Ibe is clearly a star of the future. There's no doubt that Liverpool should, and will, hang on to the young midfielder.

Verdict: Stay

Lazar Markovic

Signed with a burgeoning reputation after a sparkling season with Benfica, the £25million Serbian hasn't shown anything like his best at Anfield. Has looked lightweight and, more often than not, somewhat lost in the Premier League.

However, in all-too-fleeting glimpses, he has shown that there is something there. Must do better.

Verdict: Stay

Raheem Sterling

His contract situation has caused quite the furore but along with Coutinho, Sterling has been the leading light in Liverpool's season. Has added further facets to his game and that versatility, allied to his speed and ability to create something from nothing, means he must stay this summer - whether or not a new deal can be agreed.

Verdict: Stay

Fabio Borini

Quite simply, the Italian remains at Anfield because he refuses to leave - while few clubs are hammering at the door to take a chance on the ex-Chelsea youngster. A move that simply hasn't worked.

Verdict: Go

Mario Balotelli

The enigma's enigma. The 24-year-old has all the tools to be among the world's leading strikers, but the penny refuses to drop. One league goal is a lamentable total and Balotelli has again frustrated. His agent declared Liverpool his last chance at a major club: Chance not taken.

Verdict: Go

Daniel Sturridge

The England striker shone in tandem with Luis Suarez in 2013-14, scoring 21 league goals, but his 2014-15 campaign has been injury-hit and he's barely got going. Remains the club's best striker, but can he be relied upon to stay fit for an entire season? 2015-16 is a massive season for his career.

Verdict: Stay

Rickie Lambert

Returning to his boyhood club after a goal-laden period at Southampton, the target-man has found the move to Anfield a leap to far. Arrived to offer a Plan B, but has been an ill fit.

Verdict: Go

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpools-squad-riddled-mediocrity---5554050

Sakho to go? Otherwise pretty much agree.

 

His passing is very good, the dwelling on the ball thing has to stop but other than that he's been pretty good.

 

so just the 10 replacements then - like that would ever happen. Expect a maximum of 5 to leave this summer, with certainly no more than that coming in

 

I think more than five will leave - Toure, Jones, Johnson, Lambert, Borini, Aspas and Alberto just off the top of my head - but mostly fringe players who we won't miss and won't need replacements for (or at least not major replacements).

 

Another squad overhaul - Pathetic

Bad transfer window again - Pathetic

Sunday - Worse than pathetic. We cant turn up for a semi? Disgrace, Villa totally outplayed us

We saw some of our signings and we knew they wouldnt work when they signed, and they havent. Frustrating

Rodgers has to go imo, its his 3rd year now and when it matters we have no fight. I can take losing just as long as we fight, no fight I cant accept

And we reach a point now were opposition managers seem to be outwitting Rodgers. Will we beat WBA? I dont think we will.

This is the beginning of the end for Rodgers I reckon, Im sad as I wanted it to work with him and he had us playing some brilliant stuff, with Suarez in the team. Even in our unbeaten run we were still shaky on the pitch

We should have a better manager not someone learning their trade. I had doubts when he was appointed and have been happy to have been proven wrong. But now to much has happened, im shocked we are 5th. Shows how poor the league is this year

I think/hope Rodgers will be gone come summer. I hope im proven wrong and we somehow get some cohesion back but I wont hold my breath

 

Stop reading after :

At his worst he's a liability who lacks concentration and struggles to distribute the ball effectively.

 

Personally - I don't think we need an overhaul. The squad has some incredible young talent. They just need to be supplemented with 3-4 quality additions in the 22-24 age bracket.

 

I agree with a slight change, the signings need to be 24-27 age bracket, quality and experience.

 

You need to stop buying ****.

Spend the summer clearing out some of the crap on big wages you've accumulated, promote a few of the young up and comings to the senior squad - to play as squad players! And use your summer budget on bringing in 2 top drawer players, a striker and a CM, who are of genuine quality..............

 

Disgaree with the OP on the following

Sakho stays (contrary to the opinion of morons he's our best ball playing CB)
Manquillo possibly stays (anything really to be gained by finishing his loan early?)
Balotelli stays (you won't buy a better option with the money we'd get for him)

 

****! That's it, stop all the arguing and transfer bollox just do that. Genius now all we have to do is get Brendan to listen to Tobes.

I also agree with the last bit.

 

My nan is available for a nominal fee so I disagree.

 

BTW this is NOT an overhaul, those going were always intended to go

Only sacking the manager would require an overhaul

 

Your nan is ****

Her holdup play is pure **** and she can't hit a deadball

 

TBF Tobes already nailed it the other day when he said they key was to buy the right players

 

But she's good in the air, has pace and a sweet left foot!

 

She traps a ball well...........

 

Stop being rude about my nan Tobes!

 

In today's shock revelation, it turns out that Tobes is in fact luv's grandad!

 

i read this right up to shako go.. skertl stay.

i reckon this was written by a confused chimp bashing a keyboard in monty burns basement.