4 players Liverpool should sell this summer

Liverpool v West Bromwich Albion - The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round
Liverpool must make space for fresh blood by getting rid of the deadwood.

Liverpool start each season with the aim of winning the Premier League title, so why do they manage to fall short of that target every time? There are many factors at play that could be to blame, but in order for a fresh, new era to begin, Klopp needs to turn inwards and take a long, hard look at the current Liverpool squad and offload as much of the dead weight as he can.

Recent additions have included Naby Keita and Fabinho, who will both easily strengthen the midfield for the upcoming campaign, but what about the players that lurk in the reserves, or warm the bench, without much chance of getting game time, surely they should be moved on, right?

Here are four Liverpool players that should be sold this summer:


#4 Lazar Markovic

Tranmere Rovers v Liverpool - Pre Season Friendly
Lazar Markovic

In 2014, Liverpool paid Benfica £22.5m for what they believed to be the next big thing: Lazar Markovic.

The Serbian right-winger enjoyed an initial spell of good form which saw him feature 19 times in the Premier League 2014-15 season, scoring twice and setting up a goal.

However, the season-long loan to Fenerbahce agreed upon at the end of that season would mark the beginning of the end for Markovic, as he has been sent out on loan at the start of every season since then.

Markovic is widely regarded by Liverpool fans as a flop that they'd like to see the back of, as it's clear to everyone that he's not going to find a place in the side anytime soon. And with the recent arrival of Xherdan Shaqiri, his task of breaking into the first eleven has become even harder.

Where might Lazar Markovic go?

Reports in Italy have all stated that Udinese are prepared to take the 24-year-old off of Liverpool's hands this summer, but the chances of the Reds recouping the £20m they spent on him is looking virtually impossible. Transfermarkt value Markovic at £7.2m.

#3 Danny Ings

Adelaide United v Liverpool FC
Danny Ings

Danny Ings has had a career plagued by injury, which has seen him drop lower and lower in the pecking order at Liverpool in recent times. Ings is capable of playing great football, and he proved that at Burnley in their 2014-15 Premier League campaign, where he made 35 appearances out of a possible 38 and netted 11 goals.

In his first season at Liverpool, he scored two goals in six Premier League matches - which is a decent goal-to-game ratio for a new signing. But, again, injury took him out of action for some time. When he returned, he found himself having to adjust to life in the club's Under-23s as the first team spot he had worked so hard for had been filled.

Last season, Danny Ings played a total of eight Premier League matches, scoring once. Yet again, injury played a big part in his lack of game time, but the competition for a spot in the first team is also a major factor in why Ings has spent so much time either on the bench or in the reserves. He has to face the likes of Salah, Firmino and Mane for a place, which would be an uphill battle for virtually any player.

If Ings wants to revive his career before it's too late, he needs to seek a move elsewhere and get the game time he deserves. As stated, he's proven what he's capable of at Burnley when they were promoted; if he can find a club who can offer him the same, he could head right back to the top.

Where might Danny Ings go?

Crystal Palace, Burnley, Southampton and Newcastle have all expressed their interest in Danny Ings, despite his hefty £20m price tag. But nothing looks set in stone in terms of where he might end up just yet.

Most reports sway towards Crystal Palace nabbing the forward this summer, as they look to strengthen their attack heading into the new season - especially with Wilfried Zaha's future being in doubt.

#2 Daniel Sturridge

Liverpool FC v NK Maribor - UEFA Champions League
Daniel Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge's career has fluctuated from top-tier excellence to languid performances and long-term injuries that has led fans to suggest he's "made of glass". There is no doubt that Sturridge is a player of great ability, but his frequent injuries have let him down and damaged his reputation as a reliable forward.

After signing from Chelsea for £13.5m in 2013, Sturridge has made 55 Premier League appearances for the Reds, in which he's scored 17 goals and assisted four. Needless to say, these stats would be a lot higher if Sturridge wasn't so injury-prone.

Where might Daniel Sturridge go?

Sturridge was given a chance to redeem himself in January with a move to West Brom on loan until the end of the season. Within three minutes of his debut match, he limped off of the pitch with a torn hamstring. He would miss the next few weeks before returning six games before the summer, which he would have a minor role in. Sturridge's six performances were mediocre and he failed to score once.

With this in mind, who would take him in? For Liverpool to let him go, they would probably want an offer in excess of £20m. Add to that his £120k-per-week wages and you haven't got many options at all.

It's understood that Sturridge is aiming to stay at Anfield next season, but how much impact he can make before getting the inevitable injury is what counts.

#1 Simon Mignolet

1899 Hoffenheim v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League Qualifying Play-Offs Round: First Leg
Simon Mignolet.

With the amount of blunders Loris Karius has made in recent months, you'd have expected Simon Mignolet to step in and take his place. But no such decision has been made.

It's true that Mignolet has made his fair share of errors in the past, but if he can't get into the first team with Karius performing this badly, then what left is there for him to do? And the third choice goalkeeper Danny Ward is even more unlikely to get game time, but his job is to simply collect his pay-check each week and sit back. It is Karius and Mignolet that have to fight for the main spot.

Simon Mignolet is a 'keeper who has the ability to be the first choice for almost all of the clubs in the Premier League, but he's wasting the remaining time left in his career at Liverpool as an unused sub, game after game.

For Mignolet to really make a name for himself now, he needs to seek a move out of Anfield to a club where he can get a lot more game time and be appreciated for what he can do.

Where might Simon Mignolet go?

The 30-year-old Belgian has been linked with a handful of clubs this summer, including the likes of Wolves, Stoke, Napoli, Celtic, and Burnley. But none of these teams have been marked as definitely interested, and it all remains mere speculation and conjecture at this stage. Klopp might still want Mignolet on the books just as a back-up in case he's forced to use him, but if Mignolet wants the best for his career, he'd know to move away soon.

Quick Links