Shaqiri & the five players that could still leave Liverpool this summer

Nicholas Hughes

• 20 Aug 2021 13:13 BST
• 9 min read

Liverpool have so far coasted through the summer transfer window, with Ibrahima Konate the only player that Jurgen Klopp has added to the squad.

The Reds fell way short of the Premier League title race last season and are looking to return to the top in this campaign, while also making better use of the Champions League than they have since winning the competition in 2019.

Approaching the summer with a full squad and a number of young players returning from loan spells, Liverpool were always going to need to trim the squad.

Sales of Harry Wilson, Taiwo Awoniyi and Marko Grujic as well as a loan move for Ben Davies have provided further funds and squad room, but there could yet be more outgoings before the window slams shut.

Xherdan Shaqiri

Xherdan Shaqiri has been a polarising figure in his three seasons at Anfield so far, arriving on a cut price deal from relegated Stoke City in 2018.

The Swisse winger was brought in as a role player and excelled in that very role in his first campaign, chipping in with nine goal contributions in 24 Premier League games, with just 11 starts.

But a spate of injuries have staunched his Liverpool career, as he has managed just 21 appearances in the league in the following two seasons combined.

Shaqiri confirmed in July that he wanted to leave the club in search of more game time, and Lyon are believed to be leading the chase to sign the former Bayern Munich star.

The French club have reportedly agreed on personal terms, but the clubs are yet to agree on a transfer fee as the transfer window reaches its final fortnight.

Divock Origi

Speaking of polarising figures, Divock Origi has experienced all of the highs and lows of being a Liverpool player.

After his iconic Champions League performances in 2019, including a goal in the final, the Belgian was handed a long-term contract at the club but has failed to kick on since then.

Origi made just seven starts in the Reds’ Premier League-winning season in 2019/20, scoring four goals, before a goalless 2020/21 season with just nine league games played.

Wolves have long believed to be admirers of Origi but a bid has never been forthcoming, while the likes of Aston Villa and West Ham have been linked in the past.

Nat Phillips

Nat Phillips was thrust into the limelight last season as injuries decimated Liverpool’s centre-back stocks, and the academy graduate would make his Premier League debut and a further 16 appearances throughout the campaign.

Admirable as his efforts were, with Konate coming in and Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez returning to fitness, there may no longer be a place for Phillips in the Liverpool team.

Having shown his quality over the course of last season, the entire scenario could end up benefitting both clubs. Phillips could earn himself a move to another Premier League team and be a regular, while Liverpool could fetch a sum for him that they never would have thought possible.

Phillips is believed to be in the eye of a host of clubs both in England and abroad, with Brighton, Southampton and Burnley all connected with his name, as well as Bayer Leverkusen, in recent months.

Neco Williams

After featuring for Wales during the Euros over the summer, Neco Williams reportedly told Liverpool of his desire to leave in search of first-team opportunities elsewhere.

Stuck behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, the 20-year-old has been courted by a number of top flight clubs including Southampton and Leeds.

The former have since signed a right-back while Leeds alongside Wolves and Burnley have seemingly cooled past interest.

It seems for now that Williams may be forced to stay, but if interest is renewed, he could get the first-team minutes that he craves.

Ben Woodburn

Ben Woodburn made headlines in 2016 when he became Liverpool’s youngest ever goal scorer, but has only played six times in the Premier League for the Reds.

Three separate loan spells have failed to really give Woodburn a platform from which to build on, but his emergence in pre-season for Liverpool caught the eye.

Impressive performances in midfield have drawn interest from across the UK, and developments in recent days are strongly linking him with a loan move to Hearts of Midlothian.

Jurgen Klopp was full of praise for the 21-year-old after his pre-season showings, but he could be shipped out temporarily again, and this time will hope to see greater success.