Assessing Liverpool’s Likely Losses This Summer

Although contract wrangles for Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson continue, they are highly unlikely to leave the Reds this summer. Nevertheless many of Liverpool’s first team players are likely to leave for pastures new as Brendan Rodgers continues to mould his young squad in his image.

Brad Jones: The Australian’s contract is up in the summer and his five year journey with Liverpool looks set to end. Having joined in 2010 Jones time on the pitch was quickly put in doubt, as the Reds signed the Brazilian Doni the following summer.

Nevertheless Jones’ journey was only beginning; a red card for Pepe Reina and bizarre injury to Doni in a league game against Blackburn Rovers lead to Jones coming in to the side. Quickly Jones was thrust into the midst of his greatest day in his career, where he started in the FA Cup semi-final against Everton in which Liverpool of course won thanks to goals from Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll.

Having played just fourteen times in his five year stint at Liverpool, his commitment to the club bewilders, though fans will only wish Brad Jones the best in the future.

Glen Johnson: Another player whose contract is up this summer, Johnson is set to leave the Reds; this week indicating a week abroad is on the cards. “I do like the idea of going abroad. There have been talks. I’m still young and it would be great for the kids. But I’m not thinking about that at the moment. We will have to wait and see,” said Johnson.

Having joined Liverpool in the summer of 2009 for a fee of £18m from Portsmouth the attacking full-back was to add the nous to break down the sides that cost Liverpool the title the previous season, wherein Liverpool succumbed to 11 draws, yet only lost twice.

Perhaps not his fault, but the Reds quickly deteriorated since Johnson joined in 2009, only recuperating when Brendan Rodgers joined in 2012. Johnson has only made 10 Premier League starts for Liverpool this season, struggling with injury, form, and physical state. A move to Spain has been mooted, due to the full-back’s fluency in Spanish.

Kolo Toure: Although Kolo Toure has reportedly been offered a new one year contract extension, it’s been said the Ivorian is considering his future. The 33-year-old announced his retirement from international football after Ivory Coast’s successful campaign in the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations in order to prolong his club career.

“It is a big decision and that is why I need to think very hard and take a decision and stick with it” – Kolo Toure

Toure told the Liverpool Echo he is hoping to enter management when his playing days are over, but it’s been reported by Sky Sports he doesn’t plan to retire until the 2016/17 campaign. Toure has started 12 Premier League games for Liverpool since joining in the summer of 2013/14 for free from Manchester City and may look for more playing time elsewhere.

“It is a big decision and that is why I need to think very hard and take a decision and stick with it,” said Toure.

Steven Gerrard: Every man and his dog knows Liverpool’s iconic captain is leaving Liverpool this summer after a lifetime love association the club. Having been captain since 2003 and lifted many trophies with the club, the superlatives are endless. Instead of repeating what’s been said before, every Liverpool fan should read this article, by Irish journalist Ken Earlys on Steven Gerrard.

Steven Gerrard will have a charity game played in his honour on March 29^th, with players such as Thierry Henry and Didier Drogba joining old boys such as Xabi Alonso, Luis Suarez and Fernando Torres.

Steven Gerrard has done his best to hold his tongue on life after Liverpool. Although it has been confirmed that he will join LA Galaxy, he says he wants ‘to be respectful to Liverpool’, and wait until the season is over to speak about his exploits in America.

Jose Enrique: Although far from certain, Jose Enrique’s injury problems and general squad marginalisation has lead to rumours the Spaniard may be sold this summer, in order to free up wages for new players – and for new contracts for the likes of Raheem Sterling and Jordan Henderson.

Jose Enrique has only started eight Premier League games in the past two seasons, with injury leaving his career with Liverpool falling further into obscurity.

Jon Flanagan: Another player whose contract negotiations have seemed to have stalled. Injured since the summer with knee ligament damage Flanagan’s versatility and focus is certainly something which Rodgers desired, but with the switch to a back 3, aligned with Javier Manquillo’s presence for at least another season, the Liverpool native’s future is far from certain.

Flanagan (via Liverpoolfc.com).

Sebastian Coates: Having barely played for Sunderland all season – the Uruguayan central defender has started only two Premier League games all season – his future at Liverpool looks destined to end this summer. Signed in the summer of 2011 on the back of a young player of the tournament award for the Copa America fans were rightly looking forward to seeing what Coates could do.

A lack of mobility has made a lot worse though, having suffered knee ligament damage in 2012, leaving his chances of making it under Brendan Rodgers slim at best.