Liverpool are riding high in the Premier League and Champions League currently. Behind the scoring of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, the Reds have scored the second most goals in the Premier League (67). The Reds obviously need to add to their ranks if the team want to contend for a Premier League title. However, Jurgen Klopp’s side is the closest it has been since the likes of Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Philippe Coutinho ran riot at Anfield. The great form of Salah, Mane and Firmino has raised question marks around some of Liverpool’s players. Due to their performances, some Reds players are now left without a possible future at Anfield.
Reds players – Daniel Sturridge
It isn’t a surprise that Daniel Sturridge was loaned out in January. The striker still believes he has a chance at making England’s World Cup squad. However, those hopes seem to have been dashed as West Brom are propping up the table. Sturridge has appeared just three times since arriving and hasn’t found the bag of the net. Making things worse, Sturridge, who was regularly injured during his time at Anfield, is back on the trainer’s table with a hamstring problem.
Sturridge’s time at Liverpool looks up as the player is not only often injured, but his performances have lacked energy. Sturridge has never truly fit into Klopp’s style of play either.
Reds players – Divock Origi
Divock Origi has been on loan at Bundesliga side Wolfsburg all season. Origi has’t been bad at Wolfsburg as the Belgian has netted five times in 22 games. The return isn’t bad, but Origi has started 18 of those matches. Origi’s problems scoring are much different than Sturridge’s. Origi has stayed fit, but his lack of scoring has been due to Wolfsburg’s poor form. The team is struggling for Bundesliga safety, but if Origi was scoring goals, then the team would be safe.
At one point Origi went nine games without scoring a goal in all competitions. He finally struck the back of the net in early February. However, he has since gone five games without scoring.
Origi is the perfect reason teams shouldn’t buy players based on a good World Cup performance. Bought after the 2014 World Cup, Origi had only scored six times in 40 matches before turning heads in Brazil. A little more long-term scouting would have been helpful before buying the striker. Origi is still just 22, so there is time for him to improve in front of goal.
Reds players – Lazar Markovic
Do most Liverpool supporters realise Lazar Markovic is still on the club’s books? The Serbian was a hot property when Liverpool signed him from Benfica in 2014. The Reds spent £20 million on the playmaker. Since arriving, he has only made 19 appearances for Liverpool. Markovic hasn’t played for the Reds since 2015 and has spent time on loan at Fenerbahce, Hull and Sporting Lisbon.
Markovic was loaned once more in January, but this time to Belgium’s Anderlecht. The club weren’t happy with the player once he arrived as he was so unfit, the club stated it would take six weeks to get him into playing shape. Since moving the Anderlecht, Markovic has played just once. Of all the Reds players, Markovic’s time has to be up.
Markovic’s Liverpool contract won’t expire until the summer of 2019.
