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August Ins and Outs Expected at Anfield

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Lucas looks to be on his way out of Anfield

Lucas looks to be on his way out of Anfield

It was hardly a beautiful start, but some magic from Coutinho ensured that Liverpool got the job done in a vital win away to Stoke City.

With Liverpool’s exceptionally tough run of away fixtures, those three points claimed by the Brazilian’s fantastic long-range winner could be crucial if the 2015/16 season is to be memorable for Liverpool fans.

Now newly promoted Bournemouth are up next and, though no game is without difficulty in the Premier League, the Reds have to win these types of games at Anfield. They form the bedrock of points needed to front a successful challenge for any objective – escaping relegation, securing a top ten finish, claiming a Champions League spot or fighting for the title.

However, whilst the new campaign may have begun, three weeks remain until the transfer window closes for the summer, and there could still be plenty of business to be done at Anfield.

In terms of incomings, it seemed as if the transfer of Christian Benteke from Aston Villa was to be manager Brendan Rodgers’ final signing, with the only other rumours concerning left-back Lucas Digne from Paris Saint-Germain, who is now reportedly set to join Italian side Roma on loan.

Now, with the selection from the Stoke fixture confirming the main men in Rodgers’ plans, others who missed the cut are facing a spell on the sidelines.

18 year old Joe Gomez was preferred to Alberto Moreno at left-back (it’s only been a year since Gomez’s senior debut for Championship side Charlton Athletic), Dejan Lovren partnered Martin Skrtel at the back ahead of Mamadou Sakho (who supposedly missed out because of the birth of his child but still went with the squad) and Lucas Leiva did not even travel with the rest to Stoke despite being the club’s only specialist defensive midfielder.

Indeed, out of this trio, it seems the 28 year old Brazilian is the player most likely to leave as he seeks first-team football, with Emre Can, captain Jordan Henderson and new signing James Milner all firmly ahead in the midfield pecking order.

According to the media today, Liverpool have placed an £8m asking price for Lucas, with Inter Milan the first team linked, having made a move for the player in January.

In contrast, Sakho has always been in and out of the team since he arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in 2013, be it from competition or injuries.

Sakho has become a surprise contender to leave the club before the end of August

Sakho has become a surprise contender to leave the club before the end of August

Meanwhile, Moreno only has Gomez for competition at left-back; even if Rodgers rates the England youngster highly, the 23 year old Spaniard will still play plenty of games for Liverpool this season, should he stay at the club. Conversely, Moreno is more likely to leave Liverpool than Sakho given the interest in the left-back lately.

Barcelona and Roma have been among the teams linked with a move, and Moreno could certainly have his head turned by the reigning Spanish and European champions. In comparison, only Lazio have been mentioned for Sakho, and even that was a feeble loan move.

Should any of these three depart, Rodgers will need to enter the transfer market yet again to maintain the balance in the squad. Whilst it’s useful to provide chances to youngsters, there also needs to be the right blend of experience available.

If Lucas exits, a proper defensive midfielder is essential.

Perhaps big money moves for Sevilla’s Grzegorz Krychowiak and Sporting Lisbon’s William Carvalho are not realistic as replacements for the Brazilian, but instead the likes of Asier Illarramendi, Thiago Motta and Alex Song could be targeted by the Reds.

Meanwhile, Moreno’s departure would also require a direct replacement, with the club’s only other actual left-back, Jose Enrique, isolated from the squad and with no future at Anfield, along with Fabio Borini and Mario Balotelli.

Wolfsburg’s Ricardo Rodriguez seems out of reach, while Digne has already been mentioned above. FC Porto’s Alex Sandro would be an ambitious target but a real coup for Liverpool, having been linked with Manchester City and Juventus.

The 24 year old Brazilian has only one year left on his contract – should that continue, the Portuguese giants may want to cash in now and not risk losing him for nothing, therefore the price may come down to £15m.

Enrique isn't long for Anfield after speaking out this week

Enrique isn’t long for Anfield after speaking out this week

As for Sakho, his departure is not even worth contemplating, and it’s unclear who could replace the 25 year old French international if he did leave, as Lovren and Skrtel are clearly Rodgers’ first choice pairing to start this season.

With the games now coming thick and fast, Liverpool could yet have a lot of work to do in the summer transfer market, when it appeared nearly everything was done. Aside from the likely exits of Borini, Balotelli and Enrique, any other departures mean Rodgers must react with incomings of his own.

It could yet represent a great opportunity to strengthen the squad that little bit further before business closes at the start of September, and provide Liverpool with a better platform for success this season.

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1 comment

  • Eddie says:

    first off all Liverpool should try to off load the front two .when it comes to the left backs they don’t need to sell as at the age off 23 still is young and he is a good player , I think we still need a strong central defender and a good goal keeper

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