Liverpool Transfers: Five players Liverpool should sell in 2014

There is a spring in the step of Liverpool supporters these days. The free-scoring side that Brendan Rodgers is fostering has turned heads all around and, as legendary striker Robbie Fowler rightly pointed out, it has returned the aura around Anfield. The team looks more than comfortable playing home-fixtures, finishing off opponents with a swagger and much of it is due to the exciting brand of football that they have adopted. The modern equivalent of the traditional Liverpool style that involves quick-passing and mobility on and off the ball.

The hope and enthusiasm that surrounds this team also springs from the fact that it is a team full of budding talent. The likes of Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho and Jon Flanagan have stepped into senior shoes with relative ease and look the part. Rodgers as well as the owners of the club deserve praise for investing such confidence in this bunch of players. Liverpool celebrated Christmas at the top of the table, and while that may not prophecy a title-winning campaign, it does clearly reflect the form that the team displayed over 2013. The real metamorphosis began in the January window of 2013 with the arrival of Coutinho and Sturridge that sparked a string a uplifting results culminating in the mature annihilation of Tottenham near the end of 2013.

Liverpool’s achievements, however, need to be placed in a larger context that was provided by consecutive losses against Manchester City and Chelsea. The quality of Liverpool’s resistance against Manchester City was exemplary and they could have easily rescued 1 or all 3 points from that game. However, the Reds must take those results in a spirit of acceptance and learning. The first lesson is that the squad needs re-enforcement. Liverpool have suffered through injuries and while players have stepped up, it is not ideal that Brad Smith is forced to come-off the bench to make his Premier League debut in a crunch game. The fact that Rodgers struggles to prepare the 18-man squad for a game is indicative of how thin the squad is.

Liverpool are striving for Champions League football and the mentality must change accordingly. Liverpool need to give their players quality competition within the squad so as to compete in multiple tournaments in the future. The squad needs a slight overhaul so that the bit-part players, those who just fill positions and are always going to be there and thereabouts rather than the finished article, can be replaced by more exciting and skilled talent. Rodgers has already shown this positive attitude in his transfer dealings by parting with Stewart Downing and Jonjo Shelvey. Here is a list of five players that Liverpool can sell in 2014.

5. Victor Moses

The opinion about Moses is undivided among Anfield loyals. His loan spell at Anfield from Chelsea has been forgettable and has turned bitter now as reports come-in that it might even stall Bertrand’s possible transfer in this January window. Rodgers has been unfairly criticized for not giving the forward enough chances as he has started Premier league matches without impressing. He seems selfish with the ball and is not buying into Rodgers’ system the fundamental tenet of which is short incisive passing and possession football. He started his campaign positively with a calm and composed finish against Swansea but the early debut goal did not do much for the Nigerian who faded astonishingly. His lack of form allowed Raheem Sterling to claw his way back into the first team and Moses has rightly warmed the bench since apart from glum substitute appearances. It became apparent that Moses did not take this decision in a positive spirit in the FA Cup tie against Oldham which he started. Brendan Rodgers’ has proved that he doesn’t give up on players. Jordan Henderson and Martin Skrtel have redeemed themselves after being sidelined and have been rewarded by the manager’s trust.

The ideal option for Liverpool at this stage would have been to terminate his loan spell and recall the likes of Suso and Oussama Assaidi who have been delivering on their loan spells at Almeria and Stoke respectively. While that remains highly unlikely, Liverpool will do well to part with the Nigerian in the summer and fill the gap adequately.