What now for the futures of Gerrard, Torres, Insua & Co?

As Rafa Benitez says his goodbyes at Anfield, speculation continues on many of the club’s key players. Whilst goalkeeper Pepe Reina has reaffirmed his commitment to the Reds, the futures of others are completely up in the air.

Steven Gerrard, Fernando Torres and Javier Mascherano are the three big names being linked with moves away from Anfield, and Benitez’s departure will only intensify these rumours. Just when it appeared that things were starting to settle down at the club, the chaos continues, and with a host of top clubs being linked with all three players, it would be no shock to see them move to clubs which have more stability and a more realistic chance of honours, something Liverpool sadly cannot offer at the moment.

Albert Riera was also seemingly on his way out of Anfield after criticising Benitez’s management style. But a move to CSKA Moscow broke down, and a new manager may feel Riera still has something to offer. Whether or not Riera would want to stay remains to be seen, as he, like Mascherano, is reportedly unsettled in England. But a man who’s Liverpool career was certainly over may yet pull on the red shirt.

Comments from Yossi Benayoun suggested that the Israeli international was all set to join Chelsea, but again this move could collapse due to the change of management. It is unlikely that any players will move before a new manager is brought in, and Benayoun is the kind of player Liverpool need to keep if they are to start righting the wrongs of last season.

Fringe players like Philipp Degen, Nabil El Zhar and Damien Plessis are likely to move on. They rarely featured under Benitez, and have had little to no impact. It will be interesting to see what happens to the likes of David Ngog, Lucas and Emiliano Insua. All have come in for criticism, but all played regularly for Benitez. They could see their futures in jeopardy if the new man does not see the potential that Rafa did.

Nothing is certain at Anfield at the moment, and it looks like we are in for a long summer of constant speculation. Brace yourselves people.

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