Jurgen Klopp could be handed a transfer dilemma if Fenway Sports Group decide to sell Liverpool in the not-so-distant future.
It was announced on Monday that FSG were open to offers for the Anfield club and will consider selling if they can find a suitable buyer - 12 years after initially purchasing the Reds from George Gillett and Tom Hicks. With FSG ready to sell the Reds, a full sales presentation has been produced for interested parties, while one potential buyer has already expressed their interest in the club.
However, if Liverpool are taken over, then there could be a number of wholesale changes at the Anfield club, both on and off the pitch. There has been some criticism aimed at the Liverpool owners for not backing Klopp in the transfer market in recent years, despite the big-money arrival of Darwin Nunez in the summer, but that could all change if they are taken over.
Liverpool may have an extra pot of money to spend if the club welcomes wealthy owners, which could leave a lasting effect on some of their fringe players. Here is a look at four at risk with FSG inviting offers to sell the club.
Naby Keita
Having arrived from RB Leipzig in 2018, there were high expectations on Keita given the £48million fee he was carrying on his shoulders. He was also handed the No.8 shirt by Steven Gerrard but it is safe to say Keita hasn’t had the desired impact since his big-money move was confirmed.
Keita’s time at Anfield has been badly impacted by a series of injuries, with the Guinea international so far failing to make more than 25 Premier League appearances in a single season. The midfielder suffered yet another injury in pre-season that has kept him out for the entirety of the campaign to date and it remains to be seen whether he’ll break back into Klopp’s plans.
It's no secret Liverpool are looking for reinforcements in midfield, and taking a loss on Keita may not feel quite as damaging to the club's transfer net spend under new ownership, particularly with his contract situation still not resolved.
Curtis Jones
A player that was dubbed the ‘next Gerrard’ by some of his peers, Jones hasn’t quite kicked on as hoped after the hype surrounding him following his sublime winner against Everton back in January 2020. At just 18 years and 340 days, Jones became the youngest goalscorer in the Merseyside derby since Robbie Fowler netted in 1997.
However, Jones hasn’t been able to since cement a regular place in the Liverpool XI, although he has been a consistent member of the first team matchday squads. Last season, Jones made 27 appearances in all competitions, scoring once in the process.
Klopp has always looked to give youth a chance but Jones' minutes - whilst not helped by various injuries - have been increasingly limited. With Liverpool on the lookout for new midfielders, being armed with a healthy transfer kitty could tempt Klopp into abandoning his principles if the right players become available, risking pushing Jones further to the fringes.
Jordan Henderson
Continuing the theme of midfielders, Henderson could be another player to find himself scrapping for playing time, given his struggles for form and fitness this season. The England international has been an excellent servant to the Reds over the years, captaining them to winning the Premier League and Champions League in recent seasons.
But Henderson isn't getting any younger and the 32-year-old could soon be warming the bench more often if Klopp decides to completely revolutionise his midfield. Youri Tielemans, Bruno Guimaraes and Jude Bellingham are amongst the high-profile names linked with the Reds.
Roberto Firmino
The Brazilian has started the season in form, having scored six goals and grabbed three assists in the Premier League, but could be coming towards the end of his time at Anfield. Firmino joined the Reds from Hoffenheim in 2015 and has since scored 106 goals in 346 appearances.
With Firmino now 31, Klopp has outlined his intention to lower the average age of the squad, as evidenced in the arrivals of Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay in the summer. Although Firmino is still showing signs he can perform at his best, the Brazilian could be sacrificed to bring in younger players, especially at the top end of the pitch.
Klopp has always heralded the influence of Firmino in his side and still holds him dear to his plans, despite the diminishing reliance on the forward. But with new money comes added pressure, and fans will be desperate to see Klopp splash the cash to add more firepower to his attack, which could spell the end for Firmino at Anfield.
