The Telegraph‘s Liverpool correspondent Chris Bascombe gives his opinion on Liverpool’s planned summer arrivals and departures, with another overhaul on the agenda.
Bascombe was speaking to Anfield HQ, with host Graeme Kelly quizzing him on the futures of many of Liverpool’s current players.
Kelly asked Bascombe to indicate whether each player suggested would go or stay, added to the confirmed or assumed departures of Steven Gerrard and Glen Johnson.
On Lucas Leiva: “He’s had interest in him for a while and I think he had his heart set on moving on. Things can change, and he can become part of team, but I’ll stick with ‘go’ for now.
Mario Balotelli, Rickie Lambert, Fabio Borini, Brad Jones, Jose Enrique and Kolo Toure all also made the ‘go’ list.
In terms of players that will stay, Bascombe hinted that both Dejan Lovren and Simon Mignolet can make themselves comfortable on Merseyside, before turning his attentions to Joe Allen.
“I think he’ll stay, but I don’t know where his contract situation is and I don’t think he’s on the top of the agenda for getting a new one at the minute.”
Going on to talk about potential incomings, Bascombe spoke positively about several deals.
“[Danny] Ings, I would be surprised if he’s not a Liverpool player [next season] …certainly Liverpool would like Ings.
“[James] Milner, again, it’s a very difficult situation for him at Manchester City — he doesn’t play every week — and if he’s available I’m sure Liverpool will be in for him.
“[Mathew Ryan], there’s definitely interest in him but, as [Simon] Mignolet’s started to play quite well now, the difficulty for Liverpool will be for them to decide if they need a No. 1, or they need a young, up-and-coming No. 2.
“I think the original plan was [to sign] a No. 2.”
On suggestions that Liverpool are interested in Roma pair Miralem Pjanic and Radja Nainggolan, Bascombe continued: “They’re not names that I’ve had any confirmation one way or the other that there’s any actual interest in.”
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