Liverpool’s transfer business on the inward front may have ended with their £16million swoop for former Manchester City striker Mario Balotelli, but there’s still plenty of deadwood stockpiled at Anfield.
Indeed, Brendan Rodgers will spend his deadline day fairly relaxed without the pressure to make more signings – the Reds have been swift and effective when it comes to buying players this summer.
Yet, there remains a small contingent of Liverpool players who are beginning to outstay their welcomes on Merseyside and are now effectively surplus to requirements. Thus, if Rodgers is to do any business before the 11pm deadline, it will undoubtedly be getting some of his wayward fringe players off the wage bill.
With that in mind, here’s a list of FIVE Liverpool players who could still find themselves under new employment by the end of the day.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON LUCAS LEIVA TO REVEAL ALL
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FABIO BORINI
Fabio Borini finds himself in a rather unusual transfer situation this summer, in that Liverpool have already accepted a bid for the Italian forward.
Indeed, a £14million fee to bring him to Sunderland, after netting ten times on loan at the Stadium of Light last season, was agreed some time ago. The highlight of Borini’s Black Cats stay was this goal in the Tyne-Wear derby:
//www.youtube.com/embed/IjUP4e8wvxE?rel=0
But the 23 year-old rejected a permanent move, instead intent on muscling his way into the Anfield first team.
Following the signing of Mario Balotelli however, regular opportunities to impress on Merseyside remain slim to none. Mirror Football claim that Brendan Rodgers has warned Borini that he will be frozen out this season.
Resultantly, the Reds are still pushing for a sale. Sunderland remain interested:
Whilst a number of clubs from across Europe have been linked this afternoon:
OUSSAMA ASSAIDI
Oussama Assaidi is another player allegedly on Brendan Rodgers’ unwanted list, courtesy of Mirror Football. And in direct parallel to Fabio Borini, Liverpool have already accepted a bid for the Moroccan international from Stoke City:
The tidy winger found five goals in 25 appearances on loan at the Britannia stadium last season, including this sensational strike against Chelsea:
//www.youtube.com/embed/xMLC37etyig?rel=0
But the 26 year-old’s move is yet to materialise, with rumours that his wage demands have prevented a permanent switch.
Assaidi has no real future at Anfield however and the Reds are still keen to sell. Following an injury to Peter Odemwingie that could see him out until next season, it’s reported that the Potters have revived their interest:
It’s likely to come in the form of another loan stint however, meaning the former Heerenveen star will remain on the Mersey books until at least next summer.
LUCAS LEIVA
Will he, Won’t he? Will he, Won’t he? Defensive midfielder Lucas Leiva has been linked with a move away from Anfield for much of the summer:
The tough-tackling Brazilian’s leading suitors being Napoli, now managed by former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez.
There was once a time when the 27 year-old’s hard-working services were vital to the Reds, offering them intrinsic balance in the middle of the park. But Steven Gerrard’s reinvention in the holding role last season, in addition to athletic midfielder Emre Can arriving earlier this summer, has resulted in Leiva’s relevance waning on Merseyside.
But Benitez has recently claimed more arrivals in Naples are unlikely, and Liverpool also lost out on Alex Song to West ham, who was initially billed as the Brazil international’s replacement at Anfield.
That could see Leiva stranded on Merseyside until at least January, but a loan move to Galatasaray is still believed to be an option.
Suso
A couple of seasons ago, attacking midfielder Suso looked like a real prospect for the Reds, producing impressive form in a cameo role that saw him make 14 Premier League appearances.
But he was sent on loan to Almeira last season and struggled to have a similar impact, finding the net just three times in 35 appearances across all competitions.
At the same time, Liverpool have come on leaps and bounds since summer 2013 and first team opportunities for the Spaniard will be hard to come by. A deadline day departure now looks incredibly likely, with reports that the Anfield outfit have agreed a deal with AC Milan:
The 20 year-old will move to the San Siro on a season-long loan, but the deal could be made permanent next summer. Here’s a look at Suso in action:
//www.youtube.com/embed/9NsONacHPMw?rel=0
GLEN JOHNSON
Brendan Rodgers remains reluctant to sell Glen Johnson as the only senior right-back in the Liverpool squad.
But the 29 year-old remains a candidate for a deadline day departure due to the fact his contract is set to expire at the end of the season. Liverpool offered him a one-year extension earlier this summer, but the England international wants an improved deal.
With highly-rated full-back John Flanagan waiting in the wings and Javier Manquillo arriving from Atletico Madrid on a two-term loan, Rodgers does have the option to sell if the right offer comes along.
QPR were linked earlier in the summer window and could be tempted to revive their interest:
But speculation since has been hard to come by and recent injury issues – which saw Johnson miss out on Liverpool’s 3-0 win over Spurs – could scupper any deadline day move.
Here’s some of the defender’s best moments for the Reds:
//www.youtube.com/embed/Q4n944R9rsQ?rel=0
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