Liverpool have waved goodbye to several big-name players this summer.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has overseen several transfer exits this summer that went against his initial wishes. The German is rebuilding his first-team squad at Anfield and has overseen six major departures since the end of last season.
Fabinho completed his £40million move to Saudi Arabia on Monday night to follow Jordan Henderson and Roberto Firmino to the Middle East. Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner have all departed Anfield on free transfers too.
The six were staples of Klopp’s squad and contributed significantly to the club’s Premier League and Champions League triumphs. But Klopp did not actually want to wave goodbye to several of those players.
Vice-captain James Milner – now at Brighton – said farewell to Liverpool after eight years but Klopp had wanted him to stay an extra season. Ultimately, however, the club’s hierarchy did not offer him an extension.
He said: “Jurgen Klopp is a pretty good manager and the fact he still wanted me here and said I can do a job is pleasing. The club obviously made their decision on that. It’s nice I’m in a position where the manager wanted me to stay, but it got to the point where I got to terms [with it].”
The Liverpool boss didn’t get his wishes with captain Henderson either, who had been expected to replace Milner as the team’s elder statesman. He instead joined Steven Gerrard’s Al-Ettifaq for £12m plus add-ons last month.
Klopp said upon the skipper’s exit: “Hendo knew exactly the situation – that we wanted to keep him.” Liverpool green-lighted the 33-year-old’s move because Klopp does not like to keep players who want to leave. He added: “It was not about me convincing him [to stay], it was about me reacting to what was happening.”
The Athletic also report that another veteran midfielder – Fabinho – was originally in Klopp’s plans for the 2023-24 season. It is claimed the 56-year-old did not want to lose the Brazilian but allowed him to go after Al-Ittihad agreed to pay £40m for him.
Enter your email address here
SUBSCRIBE
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info
Don’t miss…
Man Utd may ask Mason Greenwood for big favour after ‘reaching agreement’ [LATEST]
Leandro Trossard’s Arsenal dream dead in the water if Kudus deal is completed [COMMENT]
Man Utd ‘discussing two new names’ as post-Hojlund transfer plan emerges [UPDATE]
Liverpool Pre-Season Training Camp
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been forced into four transfers he didn’t want (Image: GETTY)
And Klopp also wanted Firmino to stay, too. The Reds’ former No 9 opted not to sign a new contract and has instead has since joined Al Ahli, explaining Firmino said: “It is time, unfortunately. The cycle here is ended and I understand it is time to go.”
138438142054
Klopp admitted he was a “little bit surprised” by Firmino’s decision. Several months earlier, he had confirmed in a press conference of the centre-forward: “Yes, I want to keep him at the club.”
But despite the exits of such experienced key figures, Klopp has insisted he is “really optimistic” and “excited” about the future of his team. Romeo Lavia could soon be the third midfield addition of the summer after Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
RELATED ARTICLES
Premier League clubs can sign six free agents with 101 trophies between them
Chelsea can inflict double transfer blow to Liverpool after contract agreed
Jurgen KloppLiverpool FC
How To Play the US Megamillion One Billion Jackpot from Your Mobile?
24LOTTOS|Sponsored
Canada Needs 48000 Drivers with High Salaries
CANADA IJ|Sponsored
Immigrating to Canada for Farming Jobs
CANADA IJ|Sponsored
‘Why we Scots love Florida’
|Sponsored
Swimmer as strong as ever after harrowing Atlantic ordeal
Express
Most read in Football
Chelsea transfer news Mauricio Pochettino Lukaku Cucurella
Chelsea to axe seven more stars as Mauricio Pochettino continues squad cull to fix ‘mess’
Arsenal transfer news Mikel Arteta Mohammed Kudus
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could solve glaring transfer problem with £40m new signing
Man Utd board Aaron Ramsey Jean-Clair Todibo final transfer deadline day
Man Utd board have Aaron Ramsey comments to consider as final transfer plan takes shape
Man Utd takeover Erik ten Hag
Man Utd takeover ‘paused’ as Ten Hag faces big blow with two more signings in pipeline
England football Lucy Bronze Women’s World Cup Lionesses
Livid Lucy Bronze almost takes Ella Toone’s head off with a chair in World Cup meltdown
Man Utd Jonny Evans contract Erik ten Hag Premier League transfer news
Man Utd ‘set to offer Jonny Evans a contract’ as Erik ten Hag makes call for three reasons
Arsenal David Raya Brentford transfer
Arsenal ‘reach David Raya agreement’ as Brentford sent transfer message by goalkeeper
England Lucy Bronze snubs referee handshake angry bench Women’s World Cup
England star Lucy Bronze brutally snubs referee handshake after angry World Cup outburst
Transfer news LIVE Man Utd Chelsea Arsenal
Transfer news: Arsenal’s Raya breakthrough, Man Utd takeover blow, Chelsea keeper bid
Liverpool transfer news Man Utd Romeo Lavia Erik ten Hag
Liverpool at risk of Man Utd hijacking Romeo Lavia as Erik ten Hag plots two deals first
Lauren James Chelsea England Womens World Cup Sterling Reece-tbk
Chelsea fans want Lauren James to replace Raheem Sterling as brother Reece weighs in
Latest videos
Alexander Armstrong home property bledington Gloucestershire
Alexander Armstrong’s quiet life in remote village where average home fetches £853,000
Steph McGovern rule out Strictly Come Dancing
Steph McGovern explains why she’s ruled out a spot on Strictly Come Dancing
slugs plants eggshells pests
30p food item to use as a plant ‘barrier’ against slugs – ‘they’ll struggle to move’
EastEnders Yolande return Patrick Trueman
EastEnders’ return for iconic character as Patrick Trueman faces big decision
how to protect home theft burglary holiday
‘Simple and affordable ways’ to protect your home from theft and burglary while on holiday
And Klopp also wanted Firmino to stay, too. The Reds’ former No 9 opted not to sign a new contract and has instead has since joined Al Ahli, explaining Firmino said: “It is time, unfortunately. The cycle here is ended and I understand it is time to go.”
But despite the exits of such experienced key figures, Klopp has insisted he is “really optimistic” and “excited” about the future of his team. Romeo Lavia could soon be the third midfield addition of the summer after Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Leave a Reply