Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno to leave Liverpool
Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno are on the lookout for new clubs after Liverpool confirmed that their contracts will not be renewed.
Liverpool have confirmed that Daniel Sturridge and Alberto Moreno will leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of June.
New destinations
Forward Sturridge joined the Champions League winners from Premier League rivals Chelsea in January 2013 and scored 67 goals in 160 appearances across all competitions. Left-back Moreno, meanwhile, was signed from Sevilla in August 2014 and made 141 appearances for the Reds, scoring three goals.
Sturridge in reserve
Both players struggled for game time during the 2018-19 season, with Sturridge making eight starts in all competitions and Moreno limited to just four - two of them in cup competition.
Liverpool's formidable frontline of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mané has severely restricted Sturridge's opportunities over the past two seasons but boss Jürgen Klopp says his influence in the dressing room has been vital to the Reds' success. "Like many players in my squad, Daniel has had to be patient and contribute when asked during games, but even this season he has played a vital role," he told the club's official website. What maybe is missed on the outside of the club by many is what a great leader Daniel is in our dressing room. He is smart, confident and not afraid to speak up when he thinks there is something that needs adapting to help the team. He has been great with many of the younger players also, so he has been so important to our progression here. Daniel has earned the right to be considered a modern-day Liverpool great. He came to the club while we were trying to rebuild and re-establish ourselves. Some of the goals he has scored for Liverpool were so, so, so important. He is one of the best finishers I have ever seen in my life. He scores goals you think could and should not be possible."
Moreno linked with moves to Portugal, Turkey and Russia
Klopp also had praise for Moreno, a player he believes will force his way back into the Spain squad in the near future. "I know this season, and the end of the last, maybe the minutes on the pitch he would have wanted and deserved were not there, but his contribution did not diminish," he added. "How he was in training kept the entire group on their toes. Alberto is world-class, and I know he will be back in the Spain national team in the not-too distant future". Moreno has been linked with a move to Portugal with Benfica rumoured to be interested in the 26-year-old. It's unlikely he will return to his old club Sevilla, as they have the left-back slot pretty much covered with Escudero and Guilherme Arana.
No rest for Robbo
With Sturridge and Moreno moving on, Klopp must find substitutes for both players - in particular at left-back where he only has Andy Robertson as his first choice with no one in reserve. Last season, Robertson played almost without a break - making 36 appearances in the Premier League and 12 in the Champions League. When he picked up an injury in the Champions League semi-final return leg against Barcelona, Klopp had to resort to playing midfielder Gini Wijnaldum in the full-back position.