Liverpool’s Firesale XI: Jurgen Klopp braces for massive exit from Anfield with Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Joel Matip likely to be part of exodus

It’s obvious Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is frustrated with his underperforming Anfield players, and an overhaul is certainly needed.

The Reds are in desperate need of a rebuild to help them get back to their best, with some players continuing to underperform.

It’s certainly been a season to forget for Liverpool fans, knocked out of both domestic cup competitions when they were 10th in the Premier League with just 29 points on the board.

And to think that the Reds will face European champions Real Madrid in the Champions League in the coming weeks, who beat them in last year’s final.

There have been many unacceptable performances this campaign, none more so than the 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Brighton and more recently against worthy winners Wolves by the same scoreline.

It’s certainly a far cry from last season, which saw Liverpool come awfully close to what would have been a famous four-fold.

Many would say Klopp has been far too loyal to the players he currently has, and some would point the finger at Fenway Sports Group (FSG) owners, but whoever you blame, there must be a huge change in playing personnel. . this summer.

A clearance sale is needed on Merseyside, and what’s worrying is that you can actually create a starting XI out of players who need to be moved.

So what does Liverpool’s Firesale XI look like?

GK: Caoimhin Kelleher

Kelleher proved a reliable replacement for Liverpool and Klopp when called up.

The Republic of Ireland international has featured 20 times for the first team since joining the youth ranks.

Kelleher’s most memorable moment came in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea last campaign. The match went to a penalty shootout and he scored the decisive kick to win the shootout 11-10.

His contract does not expire on Merseyside until the summer of 2026, and the 24-year-old is a homegrown player and someone who hasn’t gotten his finger wrong.

The Reds are desperate to hold on but the player himself has said he wants regular first-team action and Klopp may have to reluctantly grant his wishes.

AR: Joe Gomez

Gomez has played second fiddle for the majority of the past two seasons.

Klopp preferred Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk as centre-back partners.

The highly experienced 25-year-old Gomez could well be moved to generate much-needed funds.

He has previously been linked with Aston Villa, but the Catford-born defender could return home to London.

CD: Joel Matip

The Reds have kept just five clean sheets this campaign and have conceded six in their last three league games without Van Dijk.

Matip, who joined on a free transfer from Schalke in 2016, was a fine addition to Klopp’s squad but his time now seems to be over.

The Cameroonian defender has been tipped to leave the club this summer and is expected to do so, according to recent reports.

DC: Nat Phillips

Phillips, once dubbed ‘the Bolton Baresi’, is Liverpool’s fifth centre-back and is set to go in search of regular first-team football.

The 25-year-old has recently been a target for Galatasaray with his time at Anfield set to come to an end.

LB: James Milner

The 37-year-old is out of contract at Liverpool this summer after signing a one-year contract in 2022.

Milner has arguably the best free transfer for the club, and the current vice-captain could well be offered a coaching role.

However, if he was to continue playing, a move to boyhood club Leeds United could be on the horizon.

CM: Jordan Henderson

The biggest surprise may well be 32-year-old skipper Henderson, who has won every trophy possible with the Reds.

Having made 472 appearances for Liverpool, scoring 33 goals and providing 59 assists, he finds himself a full-fledged player in the aging midfield.

Liverpool are desperate for fresh blood in the middle of the park, and the Sunderland-born captain could leave Merseyside this summer, despite being on contract until 2025.

CM: Fabinho

Fabinho was one of Liverpool’s most reliable assets not too long ago, but his form has gone into a downward spiral.

Signed from Monaco for £43.7m in 2018, Fabinho made 199 appearances for the Reds, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists.

He has so often been the solid anchor and base from which his forward-thinking teammates can flourish and smother the opposition with the relentless intensity of their game, all held together perfectly by the glue of his aura on field.

The 29-year-old Brazilian hasn’t lived up to expectations this campaign, however, with 18-year-old sensation Stefan Bajcetic now starting ahead of him.

MAO: Naby Keita

Keita struggled to gain playing time due to lingering injuries following his £50m move from RB Leipzig in 2018.

The Guinea international has only made 10 appearances this season and is out of contract this summer.

Galatasaray and German clubs are reportedly interested and he is expected to leave at the end of the current campaign.

LA: Arthur

The Reds won’t accept the option to sign the Brazilian for £33m and will send him back to Juventus this summer.

Arthur, who joined the club on a season-long loan, managed just 13 minutes of action at Anfield before suffering a torn thigh.

The 26-year-old, who made his debut in the 4-1 defeat to Napoli in the Champions League earlier in the season, will leave the club.

RAM: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Oxlade-Chamberlain is almost certain to leave Anfield in July when his contract officially expires on a free transfer.

The 29-year-old joined Liverpool in 2017 in a £35m deal from Arsenal and has featured regularly for Klopp’s side from the bench since the end of the World Cup.

He scored his first goal of the campaign in the 3-1 loss to Brentford earlier this season but his chances will be severely limited once Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota return from injury.

FC: Roberto Firmino

The Brazilian striker, who is a Kop favourite, scored 107 goals in 348 appearances for the club after joining the Reds in a £29m deal from Hoffenheim in 2015.

Firmino is attracting interest from clubs in Brazil, Europe and Saudi Arabia.

His playing time may well be limited following the arrival of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven next January, and that could prompt him to take one of the options available to him.