Come the end of this season (league title or not), there will be four Liverpool players who have their contracts expiring - Lazar Markovic, Alberto Moreno, Daniel Sturridge and James Milner. Below I will analyse their cases for a new contract and conclude who deserves to stay at the club.
LAZAR MARKOVIC
'The Serbian Messi', the name donned when signed in 2014, is currently languishing in the reserves, which says it all about Markovic's Liverpool career. He was brought to the club post-Suarez, which saw a number of poor transfers made that summer (Lambert, Moreno and Balotelli). He cost £20 million and in his 5 years at the club has only made 34 appearances, scoring 3 goals. A player with huge potential, Markovic has not lived up to the hype.
It was due to his poor performances in 2014/15 that that season is his only season at the club. He has been loaned out every season since (Fenerbahce 2015/16, Sporting Lisbon 2016-17, Hull 2017 and Anderlecht 2018) apart from this season. There were calls for the Serbian to be sold after his first season but, evidently, nothing materialised.
Now 24, 25 in the summer, Markovic is still young and can have a good career, just not at Liverpool. There has been no opportunity for him during Klopp's tenure so a new contract is virtually impossible. Multiple times Klopp has tried to offload Markovic permanently but there is no interest and this summer, he will be gone forvever.
Verdict - NO CONTRACT
ALBERTO MORENO
Moreno's performance against Wolves summed up his Liverpool career - poor display, out of position, no defensive knowhow, no end product. Signed by Rodgers, like Markovic, post-Suarez, he was signed as an attacking full back, the 'new Riise', and attack he has, just not defend.
His worst time in a Liverpool shirt came against Sevilla, his old side, in the Europa League final. With Liverpool winning 1-0 at half-time, Moreno's brainless second-half performance full of individual defensive errors saw the Reds lose 3-1. Moreno, quite frankly, has never performed whilst at Anfield.
His exit has all been confirmed by an interview he gave recently to a Spanish newspaper, where he criticised Klopp for his handling of the team and how he, Moreno, was sick of the cold in Liverpool. The arrival of Andy Robertson last season and his outstanding form, with expert defending and attacking, has demoted Moreno to the bench.
There is interest for Moreno with clubs such as Sevilla, Fenerbahce, and quite remarkably, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona. I think Moreno will head back to Spain. His style of play is much more suited with less of a need to defend and is quite like Jordi Alba - pacy, attack minded - so Barcelona would be potential suitors.
Verdict - NO CONTRACT
DANIEL STURRIDGE
Oh Danny boy! After 18 months, Sturridge was arguably England's best striker. His electrifying pace and finishing ability were instumental in Liverpool's title challenge in 2014. Now, it looks as if he is scared to run.
Due to his injury plight, it seem as if Sturridge is scared to run anymore in case he does get injured. He is half the player he was 5 years ago. He has no pace anymore which in a Klopp team makes him redundant. The Sturridge of old would have been a tremendous player under Klopp, for sure.
Now 29 and on big money, it makes sense for Sturridge to go. He is ineffective and the Wolves match highlighted just how far Sturridge has fallen, not entirely his own fault, perhaps. In the summer, Sturridge will have been at Liverpool for 6.5 years which is a long time - he is the longest serving player at the club, currently. He will be remembered for a tremendous goal scoring record and his devastating 'SAS' partnership with Luis Suarez. For £12 million, this was one of Rodgers' better buys.
Verdict - NO CONTRACT
JAMES MILNER
Mr. Reliable. Milner is now 33 and offers Klopp a lot. A model professional, Milner has operated in central midfield, as a winger and at left and right back. His versatility is a key asset.
It is due to his versatility and experience that I think Klopp will keep Milner. The squad is relatively young so Milner offers a good balance within it, as an older head is needed, and the fact that he can play in multiple positions is useful. His age is a factor so it would likely be a 1 year contract if he does sign. If not, I'd like to see him back at Leeds, especially if they get promoted.
Verdict - NEW CONTRACT
There are other players with contracts not expiring that look set to leave in the summer. Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne may seek pastures new for regular game time that Klopp cannot give them. A centre back (Lovren or Matip) will probably leave as well.
As a result, Liverpool will have to look for a new centre back, left back, central midfielder and striker. Expect a busy summer transfer window!
LAZAR MARKOVIC
'The Serbian Messi', the name donned when signed in 2014, is currently languishing in the reserves, which says it all about Markovic's Liverpool career. He was brought to the club post-Suarez, which saw a number of poor transfers made that summer (Lambert, Moreno and Balotelli). He cost £20 million and in his 5 years at the club has only made 34 appearances, scoring 3 goals. A player with huge potential, Markovic has not lived up to the hype.
It was due to his poor performances in 2014/15 that that season is his only season at the club. He has been loaned out every season since (Fenerbahce 2015/16, Sporting Lisbon 2016-17, Hull 2017 and Anderlecht 2018) apart from this season. There were calls for the Serbian to be sold after his first season but, evidently, nothing materialised.
Now 24, 25 in the summer, Markovic is still young and can have a good career, just not at Liverpool. There has been no opportunity for him during Klopp's tenure so a new contract is virtually impossible. Multiple times Klopp has tried to offload Markovic permanently but there is no interest and this summer, he will be gone forvever.
Verdict - NO CONTRACT
ALBERTO MORENO
Moreno's performance against Wolves summed up his Liverpool career - poor display, out of position, no defensive knowhow, no end product. Signed by Rodgers, like Markovic, post-Suarez, he was signed as an attacking full back, the 'new Riise', and attack he has, just not defend.
His worst time in a Liverpool shirt came against Sevilla, his old side, in the Europa League final. With Liverpool winning 1-0 at half-time, Moreno's brainless second-half performance full of individual defensive errors saw the Reds lose 3-1. Moreno, quite frankly, has never performed whilst at Anfield.
His exit has all been confirmed by an interview he gave recently to a Spanish newspaper, where he criticised Klopp for his handling of the team and how he, Moreno, was sick of the cold in Liverpool. The arrival of Andy Robertson last season and his outstanding form, with expert defending and attacking, has demoted Moreno to the bench.
There is interest for Moreno with clubs such as Sevilla, Fenerbahce, and quite remarkably, Arsenal, Real Madrid and Barcelona. I think Moreno will head back to Spain. His style of play is much more suited with less of a need to defend and is quite like Jordi Alba - pacy, attack minded - so Barcelona would be potential suitors.
Verdict - NO CONTRACT
DANIEL STURRIDGE
Oh Danny boy! After 18 months, Sturridge was arguably England's best striker. His electrifying pace and finishing ability were instumental in Liverpool's title challenge in 2014. Now, it looks as if he is scared to run.
Due to his injury plight, it seem as if Sturridge is scared to run anymore in case he does get injured. He is half the player he was 5 years ago. He has no pace anymore which in a Klopp team makes him redundant. The Sturridge of old would have been a tremendous player under Klopp, for sure.
Now 29 and on big money, it makes sense for Sturridge to go. He is ineffective and the Wolves match highlighted just how far Sturridge has fallen, not entirely his own fault, perhaps. In the summer, Sturridge will have been at Liverpool for 6.5 years which is a long time - he is the longest serving player at the club, currently. He will be remembered for a tremendous goal scoring record and his devastating 'SAS' partnership with Luis Suarez. For £12 million, this was one of Rodgers' better buys.
Verdict - NO CONTRACT
JAMES MILNER
Mr. Reliable. Milner is now 33 and offers Klopp a lot. A model professional, Milner has operated in central midfield, as a winger and at left and right back. His versatility is a key asset.
It is due to his versatility and experience that I think Klopp will keep Milner. The squad is relatively young so Milner offers a good balance within it, as an older head is needed, and the fact that he can play in multiple positions is useful. His age is a factor so it would likely be a 1 year contract if he does sign. If not, I'd like to see him back at Leeds, especially if they get promoted.
Verdict - NEW CONTRACT
There are other players with contracts not expiring that look set to leave in the summer. Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne may seek pastures new for regular game time that Klopp cannot give them. A centre back (Lovren or Matip) will probably leave as well.
As a result, Liverpool will have to look for a new centre back, left back, central midfielder and striker. Expect a busy summer transfer window!
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