Liverpool’s fans will be looking ahead to the possibility of new arrivals in January, but as the festive period approaches we could be seeing the beginning of the end of two players’ time at Anfield, with their contracts expiring at the end of the campaign.
Here we take a look at the two Liverpool players out of contract in just six months, with neither likely to stay beyond that time.
Lucas Leiva
Brazilian midfielder Lucas Leiva has been a great servant for Liverpool yet the strength in depth at the club means he is surely approaching the end of his tenure.
This season he has featured 10 times in all competitions, struggling for form as a makeshift centre-back more often than not.
A couple of decent outings in the EFL Cup aside, Lucas has looked anything but vital for this Liverpool side and will surely move on for free in the summer.
Alex Manninger
The most likely departure is that of 39-year-old goalkeeper Alex Manninger, who was brought to Anfield very much as back-up to the back-up.
He has made the Liverpool bench four times this season. However, with the prospect of game-time practically impossible this is likely to be his one and only season on the playing staff.
Meanwhile, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp indicated some dissatisfaction at the last two Premier League games which has seen his side drop five points, and fall six points behind Chelsea in the title race, while addressing the media at his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Middlesbrough – as reported by the Liverpool Echo.
The Reds have managed to score five goals in their last two games, but concede six with their defence, and goalkeeper Loris Karius coming in for a lot of criticism, but seemed to defend his players after a string of negative comments from pundits.
Klopp has also confirmed that Emre Can is a doubt for Wednesday’s game after missing the 2-2 draw with West Ham United because of a knee injury but should be fit for the Merseyside derby against Everton the following Monday.
Marko Grujic is currently recovering from a tendon injury. It’s unclear whether Dejan Lovren will be available after he was substituted at half-time with cramp in the hamstring.