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Liverpool have been one of the most adventurous teams in the summer transfer market in recent years, but it is looking likely that this time around Jurgen Klopp will be slowing things down.
With a Champions League triumph in the bag and another mount for the Premier League expected for next season, it could be a quiet summer for Liverpool, but that doesn’t mean we won’t see any activity.
The Reds have an abundance of fringe players who will need their futures decided this summer. So out of everyone in the Liverpool squad that has made 15 first-team starts or less in the league, who should be shown the exit door this transfer window?
Here we play a simple game of sell, loan or keep!
[snack_break title=”Goalkeepers – Caoimhin Kelleher”]
Caoimhin Kelleher – Loan him: With Simon Mignolet the second-choice at Liverpool, Caoimhin Kelleher should spend a year away from Liverpool getting his first taste of professional football.
[snack_break title=”Defenders – Ki-Jana Hoever, Adam Lewis, Nathaniel Phillips”]
Ki-Jana Hoever: Keep him – The Dutch centre-back became the third youngest player to ever play for Liverpool last season, and at just 17 Ki-Jana Hoever could benefit with another season in the youth sides and learning his craft before stepping out in the big wide world.
Adam Lewis: Keep him – Liverpool found a gem in Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the same can be said for Adam Lewis, who should become second-choice left-back for next season. One goal and seven assists in 28 youth appearances last season will get supporters excited about a new fullback sensation.
Nathaniel Phillips: Sell him – At 22, the Bolton-born defender is yet to get a minute in the Liverpool first-team. For the betterment of his career, the centre-back must move on this summer.
[snack_break title=”Midfielder – Allan, Rafael Camacho, Pedro Chirivella, Ovie Ejaria, Marko Grujic, Curtis Jones, Herbie Kane”]
Allan – Sell him: The Brazilian midfielder joined the Reds in 2015 and is yet to have any shot of first-team football. Allan has been out on loan at five different teams, and this summer should be moved on for good.
Rafael Camacho – Sell him: There is no question that Camacho is one of the most talented youngsters at Liverpool, but a lack of first-team football has seen the Portuguese youngster been linked with a move away from Anfield via the Express and Star, and Klopp should look to cash in.
Pedro Chirivella – Sell him: Just like Allan, Pedro Chirivella joined the club to much excitement but has since in four years on Merseyside been unable to make any progress in making it into the first-team. The Spaniard should be looking for a permanent move.
Ovie Ejaria – Loan him: A more than underwhelming season on loan at Reading should see Ejaria head out of Anfield for another season. The 21-year-old has the potential to be a starter at Liverpool, and regular first-team football will help his cause.
Marko Grujic – Keep him: With James Milner getting no younger, Marko Grujic can be a player that saves Liverpool millions in eventually replacing the Englishman after a fantastic season out on loan at Hertha Berlin. Liverpool fans have wanted to see him in red for a while, and next season can be his chance.
Curtis Jones – Keep him: There’s always a hint of excitement when a promising central-midfielder comes through at Liverpool, and Curtis Jones is the latest one. The 18-year-old playmaker made his debut last season and could be in line for more minutes in the upcoming campaign.
Herbie Kane – Loan him: Another central midfielder who has caused excitement on Merseyside is Herbie Kane, who just like last season should be shipped out on loan for another year to gain more first-team minutes.
[snack_break title=”Attackers – Taiwo Awoniyi, Rhian Brewster, Ryan Kent, Sheyi Ojo, Harry Wilson, Ben Woodburn”]
Taiwo Awoniyi – Sell him: Being signed by Liverpool and immediately being shipped out on loan seems to be a theme with some of these players, and Awoniyi is no different. The Nigerian striker has not seen a minute of first-team football on Merseyside and has been out on loan for four seasons. The attacker needs to go for good this summer.
Rhian Brewster – Keep him: Injuries kept Brewster out of football for the majority of the season, but his appearance on the Liverpool bench in the Champions League final could indicate the striker is part of Klopp’s plans for next season.
Ryan Kent – Sell him: After a breakthrough season at Rangers, Kent has put himself on the radar of some big clubs and with Sadio Mane well ahead of the 22-year-old in the pecking order at Liverpool, a permanent move will be beneficial for the attacker.
Sheyi Ojo – Loan him: With Liverpool wingers having such a successful time out on loan, Ojo could be the next attacker to impress away from Anfield. The 21-year-old struggled with Stade Rennais last season, but a move closer to home could help the England U-21 international find his feet.
Harry Wilson – Sell him: Just like Kent, Wilson enjoyed an incredible year at Derby and has also attracted interest from some good clubs, and just like his English counterpart, the Wales international should be looking for a move away from Liverpool for the good of his career.
Ben Woodburn – Loan him: Woodburn has long been tipped to be a future superstar at Liverpool, but a disastrous loan at Sheffield United pegged that prediction back a few years, and next season the Welsh winger must be given a second chance to impress away from Anfield.
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