The Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern are concerned with rumours linking their star player away from the club.
Liverpool have enjoyed a modest opening to the season, as they sit somewhat adrift in the title race, though the building blocks are quite clearly there for Jurgen Klopp and his men. While it may not be perfect, the Reds certainly do have a lot to shout about.
Still, following months of intense speculation, transfer requests and multiple bids exceeding £100 million throughout the summer, Klopp successfully managed to keep hold of Liverpool’s golden boy Phillipe Coutinho.
Coutinho’s performances will be absolutely paramount to Liverpool’s success across all fronts this season, if they can keep hold of him, though that may be far more difficult said then done. Indeed, Barcelona appear unwilling to end their pursuit of the Brazilian, as The Guardian hinted a fresh bid for the 25-year-old is imminent when the transfer window reopens in January.
Much to the despair of the Reds in the tavern, the conclusion to this ongoing saga looks destined to end with Coutinho swapping Merseyside for Catalonia, much as Luis Suarez did in the summer of 2014. Coutinho’s departure could provide Klopp with the financial resources to instigate a significant reshuffle at Anfield, with players moving in both directions.
With that in mind, these two players could be also be making way in January to free up space for new signings…
Daniel Sturridge
Pundits widely predicted an exciting future at both club and international level for Midlands-born striker Daniel Sturridge when he switched Manchester City for Chelsea at just 20 years of age in 2009.
His superb record since moving to Liverpool in 2013 (62 goals in 126 appearances) suggests he has lived up to his potential, but there is a looming feeling that he has slightly under-achieved considering his ability.
With Jurgen Klopp at the helm for the past two years, Sturridge has failed to reach the high-standard he has set for himself throughout his career, and his decline under Klopp’s leadership is certainly noteworthy.
Although it is difficult to know what goes on behind closed doors, it is plausible that the relationship between the two has broken down beyond repair and negatively impacted on Sturridge’s performances.
It would be advisable for Sturridge to seize the opportunity to play his trade elsewhere, should the right club come calling in January.
Emre Can
Emre Can was heavily linked with a move to Juventus throughout the summer transfer window and reports linking him to Italy continue to persist this week.
Rumours linking the German away from Anfield intensified in recent days after Can declared it was “an honour” to be linked with Juventus this summer.
With Can’s contract set to expire in the summer of 2018, it is highly doubtful that the Old lady are the only European heavyweight monitoring his situation.
If Liverpool decide not to cash in on Can during the January transfer window, they will lose him for nothing at the end of the season, when multiple clubs will be queueing up to secure his signature.
