While Brendan Rodgers has been busy bringing players into Liverpool this summer, there has also been some evidence of balancing the books.
READ MORE:
Liverpool FC news.
Chelsea CLEAROUT: Filipe Luis, Petr Cech and five players who look set to be offloaded this summer
Liverpool set to announce sixth summer signing with experienced assistant manager joining Reds
Sebastian Coates confirmed his move to Sunderland on Wednesday, and he looks unlikely to be the last player to leave Anfield this summer.
In this feature, we present five players who could join the Uruguay centre-back in the departure lounge.
Fabio Borini
Borini, like Coates, enjoyed some success on loan at Sunderland.
However, despite a handful of encouraging performances at the Stadium of Light, the forward was unable to realise his promise at Anfield last season, making only three league starts and scoring only one goal all campaign.
West Ham United are understood to be interested in his services, while Bologna are reportedly keen on taking the forward back to his homeland.
Lazar Markovic
There were occasional flashes of Lazar Markovic’s qualities last term, but the Serbian forward appeared lightweight and struggled to demonstrate consistency in offensive areas.
He has certainly not repaid the considerable £20 million that Brendan Rodgers paid to bring him to Anfield, and has been linked with a return to Benfica.
Mario Balotelli
While bringing Mario Balotelli to Anfield was always going to be a gamble, few could have expected that the Italy international would flop so completely.
The ex-Manchester City man made 16 Premier League appearances, but even considering his peripheral role, one goal was a dire return.
While Sampdoria have ruled themselves out of a move for the forward, the likes of Lazio, Roma, Juventus, Napoli and Fiorentina have all been linked to the hitman.
Rickie Lambert
Rickie Lambert’s return to his native Merseyside and transfer to his beloved Liverpool was something of a fairytale, reality hit hard as the striker largely failed to demonstrate the authoritative displays that had become his trademark at Southampton.
The forward has admitted that his future lies away from Anfield, and the 33-year-old looks set for an exit this summer.
Luis Alberto
Luis Alberto—recruited for £6.8 million—is something of a symbol for Liverpool’s hit-and-miss transfer activity under Brendan Rodgers.
The forward has barely figured at Anfield, and didn’t demonstrate his class at Malaga, who opted to pull the plug only one season into his two-year loan deal.