It appears that this summer will be a busy one for Rafa Benitez as he hopes to steer Liverpool nearer to the Premier League title next time around. The following five players are strongly linked with moves away from Merseyside.
Portsmouth owner Sacha Gaydamak is backing manager Harry Redknapp’s £7m bid for Peter Crouch. (The Express)
Jermaine Pennant is set to leave the Anfield club and move to Newcastle United where manager Kevin Keegan is said to be keen to sign the 25-year-old winger. (goal.com)
Defender John Arne Riise fears he is heading for the Anfield exit in the summer. The Norway international has one-year remaining on his present deal (Sky News)
Aston Villa manager Martin O’Neill will make no decision on whether he wants to keep on-loan Liverpool goalkeeper Scott Carson permanently until the end of the season. The Villa boss was originally sceptical about paying the £9m asking price (PA)
Liverpool are expected to demand a transfer fee of £2million if Bolton Wanderers try to keep Danny Guthrie at the Reebok. (Bolton News)
Of these five I reckon only Crouch is really worthy of keeping. Carson is a good keeper but I think Rafa has made it clear the England man is not part of his plans. Riise and Pennant have had a fair crack of the whip but neither is in my view Liverpool material and Guthrie will find it next to impossible to get a run in a Reds midfield so graced with talent. What do Anfield supporters think?