Just how different would the Reds recent fortunes have been if they hadn’t sold these stars?
Steven Gerrard’s move to LA Galaxy has finally been officially confirmed with the Liverpool skipper leaving Anfield at the end of the season when his contract expires.
Perhaps more controversially, Gerrard admitted that he would most likely have re-signed for Liverpool if they had offered him a new contract before the season had begun.
Alas they did not and now Gerrard will move to the MLS this summer after over 16 years with the Merseyside club – will this move affect Liverpool in the future? Just how will they cope without their talismanic captain?
With that in mind, here’s a list of ten players Liverpool may have let go just a bit too soon:
Daniel Agger
Agger left Liverpool under a cloud of confusion in the summer, being allowed to go for a fee well low of what you’d expect for a player of his caliber and it being explained as a decision of a personal nature.
Looking at the almost shambolic state of Liverpool’s defence this season you’d have to say Agger was the glue holding it together and without his commanding presence Liverpool have shipped some ridiculous results – just see their recent collapse against Leicester when 2-0 up at Anfield.
Nicolas Anelka
Anelka helped Gerard Houllier’s side finish second when on loan from Real Madrid and presumably could have become an Anfield great with his goal scoring exploits but the option to take him up on a permanent contract was never explored.
Thomas Ince
Just how big a mistake Liverpool made letting Ince go will only come apparent over future years but if the youngster lives up to his immense potential it could be a major blunder by the Reds.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Liverpool allowed Arbeloa his move to Real Madrid and in his wake signed Glen Johnson who has never been able to replicate the solid and aggressive nature of the fiery Spaniard.
Especially considering Arbeloa is racking up his winners medals with Real whilst Johnson continues to be a liability at the back.
Javier Mascherano
It’s debatable whether Liverpool could have actually done anything to stop Mascherano to go when Barcelona came calling but with the Argentine midfielder gone Liverpool’s league form continued to plummet.
It may have been because then boss Roy Hodgson decided to replace him with Christian Poulsen but his exit was the catalyst for a number of Liverpool stars to leave including Fernando Torres.
Pepe Reina
Abandoning Reina and embracing Mignolet looks an even more ridiculous decision by Brendan Rodgers as the Belgian continues to make blunder after blunder.
Granted Reina’s form was a question mark but you cannot get many more experienced back-ups than the Spaniard who would have been a much more able backup than Brad Jones.
Luis Suarez
Suarez left Anfield over the summer in disgrace following his World Cup exploits and at the time looked an astute move considering the substantial transfer fee received in return.
However, following a summer of some quite questionable transfer moves, you can’t help but think Liverpool’s season would be looking a lot different if they’d force Suarez to his contract whilst not wasting investment on the likes of Mario Balotelli.
Robbie Fowler
When Houllier decided to let Fowler go, after he was benched for Owen and Heskey, the player affectionately known as God was sold to Leeds United but could never discover the form of old.
Whilst this could point to a clever decision and Houllier’s part for predicting a drop in Fowler’s performance level, the Kop legend confirmed his legendary status when he returned for a short spell during Rafa Benitez’s reign and showed the Reds the kind of goalscorer they had been missing.
Xabi Alonso
Finishing seventh the year after they sold him is just one of many indications that despite the £30 million they received for him, Alonso was priceless for Liverpool. With Alonso whilst he was respected and adored by the Kop, his presence and skill was never fully appreciated until he left.
That every prospective signing is compared to his style or is called ‘the new Xabi Alonso’ surely proves Liverpool sold one of the best players in his position too soon.
Steven Gerrard
And now it’s Gerrard’s turn to leave and whilst the captain may not have been at his best for the past few seasons his rallying presence is more than enough to justify his place in the Liverpool first team – just see his recent match winning performance against AFC Wimbledon as proof he’s needed.
Without Gerrard it will be interesting to see how Liverpool cope without such a big presence – perhaps it will be to their benefit and other players can now relax and step up to the mantle but you can’t help but feel the Liverpool squad will be poorer without their captain.