Liverpool’s season looks likely to peter out in the next few weeks, failing to give Steven Gerrard the send off he deserves.
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Here is an assessment of each of their squad players, with each marked on whether they should be sold or kept by manager Brendan Rodgers…
Players under 21 with less than ten appearances for the first team are left out, with it not possible yet to tell whether they are going to be able to make a differences at the highest level.
GK) Simon Mignolet, KEEP
Although the Belgian hasn’t had the most accomplished of seasons, he is still worth keeping as a back up or as competition for any keeper the Reds sign in the summer.
GK) Brad Jones, SELL
With his contract ending in a couple of months, it should be fairly painless to let the 33-year-old go. He proved that he is nowhere near the level required when he came in for Mignolet in the middle of the season.
RB) Glen Johnson, SELL
Still only 30-years-old, the full-back seems to have lost a yard of pace and doesn’t look suited to the wing-back role that Rodgers is so keen on.
RB/LB) Jon Flanagan, KEEP
Injured for the whole of this season so far, the 22-year-old still has a lot to offer if he can get back to the form that saw him become a regular in the last campaign. His versatility is important, but it is yet to be seen if he can do a job at wing-back.
RB) Javi Manquillo, KEEP
On loan from Atletico Madrid for another season, the Merseyside club have to keep the Spaniard. However, the Reds should not take up the option to buy on the youngster is he doesn’t improve on his drab first 12 months.
LB) Jose Enrique, SELL
It says a lot that Rodgers is more willing to play Raheem Sterling out of position at wing-back than put Enrique there. With this level of trust the defender should leave for greener pastures.
LB) Alberto Moreno, KEEP
One of the ony summer signings to be a relative success, the 22-year-old still has a long time to improve as well.
CB) Kolo Toure, KEEP
The former Arsenal man didn’t paint himself in glory during the loss to Arsenal, but he is still worth keeping if only to act as a back up to others. The way he played against Real Madrid shows he can still perform on his day.
CB) Dejan Lovren, SELL
It has not been a good season for the £20 million defender, with repeated errors eventually seeing the Serb dropped from the starting XI. It might be best for the club and the player to cut their losses now and let him go somewhere where he can rebuild his career.
CB) Martin Skrtel, KEEP
The 29-year-old has become one of the club’s most important centre-backs since the retirement of Jamie Carragher, and they will want to tie up a new deal for him soon. The Slovakia international’s current contract ends after next season.
CM) Steven Gerrard, GONE
It will be a massive blow to the fans to see their legendary skipper leave, but his performance in the FA Cup semi final defeat to Aston Villa showed that he isn’t cut out for this level anymore. If anything it could improve the side with no pressure coming from the sight of the 34-year-old on the bench.
CM/CB) Emre Can, KEEP
Another of the summer signings to have eventually performed well after Moreno, the German looks like he could even be Gerrard’s heir in the middle of the park. It will be interesting to see how the 21-year-old does in midfield after so long playing in the back three.
CM) Lucas Leiva, KEEP
Although he has been in and out of the side in the last 12 months, the Brazilian has emerged as one of the most important players. His work in defensive midfield allows the likes of Philippe Coutinho and Raheem Sterling to do their thing.
CM) Jordan Henderson, KEEP
With Gerrard leaving it looks like it will be the former Sunderland man picking up the title of captain in the next campaign. Whether he can be as inspirational as his predecessor is yet to be seen.
CM) Joe Allen, KEEP
The Welshman may not be of the standard really needed to play in the Champions League regularly, but the Reds can’t let too many players leave in one transfer window. The 25-year-old is still worth keeping a hold of just to give some depth in the squad.
CAM/LAM/RAM) Adam Lallana, KEEP
He may not have had the best debut season with the club, but the former Southampton man can definitely improve. Hopefully he can show his real form after given the time to settle in.
CAM) Philippe Coutinho, KEEP
One of the best players at Anfield, it is imperative that Rodgers manages to hold on to the 22-year-old. Alongside the next player on this list he is the future of Liverpool football club.
CAM/RAM/LAM) Raheem Sterling, KEEP
With Premier League sides circling due to the youngster’s contract situation, the England international is another that must stay if the Reds want to improve and show they are not a selling club.
LAM/RAM) Lazar Markovic, KEEP
Since his mega-money arrival last summer the ex-Benfica star has failed to impress. It may not be the done thing to sell a £30 million player after just one season, but they could send him out on loan to get his confidence back.
ST) Rickie Lambert, SELL
It may have been a nice story for the boyhood Liverpool fan to work his way up the leagues and eventually play for his club, but it hasn’t worked out. At 33-years-old he isn’t getting any younger, and he looks clumsy when alongside his more skillful peers.
ST) Daniel Sturridge, KEEP
One of the best strikers in the Premier League, had the 25-year-old been fit this season then things may have worked out differently. It is obvious that the Reds need to hold on to the England international.
ST) Fabio Borini, SELL
The Italian really shouldn’t have turned down Sunderland last summer. He could be a hero at the North East club right now, when he is actually a bench warmer at Anfield. Now is the time for the forward to depart.
ST) Mario Balotelli, SELL
It is now clear that the gamble on the mercurial striker hasn’t paid off. Rodgers should get rid before the 24-year-old starts causing problems with morale.
Manager) Brendan Rodgers, KEEP
After the recent poor run of form that has seen their season fall apart, some have called for their manager’s head. However, the Northern Irishman has proven already that he is capable of fashioning a title challenge and he should be allowed to have another go at it.