Liverpool have had a marvellous start to the new season, and our resident Reds here in the Transfer Tavern are well and truly loving life!
They’re third in the Premier League, top goal scorers, biggest entertainers, new stand at Anfield increasing the capacity and the bookies have stood up and taken notice, installing them as second favourites for the title this season.
Jurgen Klopp has worked wonders with a budget far less than their title challengers but he has installed a good mentality amongst his group of Liverpool players.
He has managed to reinvigorate players who were often seen as average, run of the mill players.
The whole squad is noticeably brimming with energy and confidence.
However, it’s not all rosy in Liverpool and there are still a few duds amongst that squad who could do with being weeded out of Anfield.
Here are the FOUR players, the punters here in the Tavern have singled out….
Mamadou Sakho
The controversial centre back was banned for taking fat-burning substances last season.
However, after his ban, he was given a chance to rejoin the Liverpool squad and fight his way back into the team.
He’s not managed to do that, though.
Instead, midway through Liverpool’s pre season tour, he was sent home for attitude problems and has yet to settle in the squad once again.
Jurgen Klopp has been quizzed about Sakho’s possible involvement for Liverpool again but has remained tight lipped.
The punters here at the Tavern are quietly convinced that he might return to France to help out PSG’s defence, once again.
Alberto Moreno
The left-back has been criticised to no end, this season.
Since his debacle last season in the Europa League final where his gift allowed Sevilla a route back into the match, he seems to have become enemy number one at Anfield.
His defensive concentration doesn’t seem to exist and as a result Klopp has resorted to retraining James Milner to play at left-back.
To be fair to the Englishman, he has done a very tidy job so far and has probably netted more goals than he may have expected.
Albeit they have been penalties but nevertheless, Milner is looking like a force to be reckoned with at left-back which is why we expect Moreno to be heading for the exit doors, come January.
Lucas Leiva
The Brazilian midfielder has been at Liverpool longer than most at the club but whilst that may help his ‘legendary’ status, his performances on the pitch appear to be trying to derail his good image.
He is not the force he once was and the pace and strength of the Premier League seems to have taken its toll and him,
His mistake for the goal against Leicester was unforgivable and it’s errors like that which could deny the Reds their lofty position in the table, which is why we think Lucas might finally be shown the door away from Anfield.
Danny Ings
Danny Ings is an unfortunate name to have to add to this list.
His Liverpool career started brightly as he netted a few times but a nasty and lengthy ACL injury has meant he hasn’t been able to impress the Liverpool fans and bosses.
His rehabilitation has taken longer than expected and even though he is in and around the squad now, there is so much competition in the forward areas, fitting Ings back in would seem to be a tall order.
Even if it is only a loan move, we think a move away from Anfield is one the cards for Ings and will actually probably benefit the striker, too.
