Five players who could leave Liverpool before the transfer window closes and net Reds £40m

Time is running out for Liverpool to complete any remaining business in this summer’s transfer window.

It’s now less than a week before the transfer deadline closes at 23.00 BST on Tuesday, August 31.

Jurgen Klopp’s activity in the market when it comes to incomings has been low-key compared to the lavish spending of the likes of Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United.

Ibrahima Konate’s £36 million arrival from RB Leipzig is the only fresh face added to the Reds’ squad.

But to fund that move, Liverpool have sold the likes of Harry Wilson to Fulham for £12 million, Marko Grujic to Porto for £10.5 million and offloaded Xherdan Shaqiri to Lyon for £9.75 million on Monday.

If Klopp wants to bolster his options before the window closes, it could hinge on other fringe players leaving to free up funds.

We take a look five players who could be set to departure - either permanently or on loan.

Loris Karius

It is hardly a surprise that Liverpool are looking to get rid of the much-maligned goalkeeper.

Karius hasn’t played for the Reds since the Champions League final in 2018 when his costly errors saw Klopp’s men slip to a 3-1 loss against Real Madrid.

The German has spent the past three seasons out on loan. The first two were in Turkey with Besiktas and last term he represented Union Berlin, but made just five appearances.

Karius is well behind Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian in the pecking order.

With less than a year left on his deal, Liverpool would rather receive some sort of fee for the 28-year-old rather than lose him for free next summer.

If they can’t sell him, another loan to get Karius off the wage bill could be wise.

Nat Phillips

The centre-back played significantly more games than anyone could have predicted last season due to Liverpool’s defensive crisis.

Long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, along with Joel Matip’s campaign being curtailed in January, saw Phillips feature 20 times in all competitions. Three of those outings were in the Champions League.

But with the trio all returning to full fitness, coupled with Konate being signed, Phillips is again down the pecking order.

Having had a taste of top-flight action, the 24-year-old will surely want to continue playing regularly rather than being reduced a back-up role again.

Southampton, Brighton, Burnley and Newcastle are all believed to be potential suitors, with a price tag of around £15 million slapped on Phillips.

Rhys Williams

The academy product went from a loan spell with Kidderminster in the National League during the 2019-20 campaign to playing in the Premier League and Champions League last season.

Certainly, Williams’ route to the Liverpool first team was fast-tracked because of the injury problems suffered by the Reds’ dedfence but he never looked out of place in his 19 appearances.

To ensure that the England under-21 international continues his burgeoning progress, the Reds may feel a loan to a Championship club would be the best thing to do.

Given his powerful performance in the under-23s’ 3-1 victory over Everton in the mini Merseyside derby on Monday, Williams requires regular senior football rather than being stuck at age-group level.

Divock Origi

The striker’s part in Anfield history is well and truly sealed.

Origi netted a brace in the famous 4-0 win against Barcelona en route to Champions League glory in 2019, as well as sealing the silverware for Liverpool in their 2-0 defeat of Tottenham in the final.

It’s safe to say the Belgian will always get a hero’s welcome.

But Origi is a bit-part player.

He made just two Premier League starts last season and was omitted from the match-day squad for the Reds’ victory over Burnley.

Origi is nowhere near the level of Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota and may want to reignite his career elsewhere.

West Ham United, Wolves and Crystal Palace have all been linked and Liverpool, who are open to offers, could fetch a fee of around £20 million.

Sheyi Ojo

The winger was an exciting prospect when he burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old in 2016.

However, Ojo hasn’t played for Liverpool since January 2017 and spent the last four season on loan at Fulham, Reims, Rangers and most recently Championship outfit Cardiff, where he scored five goals in 42 games.

Ojo spent the summer training with the under-23s rather than joining Klopp’s first team during their training camps in Austria and France.

To his credit, he showed an excellent attitude when selected for Barry Lewtas’ side at Southport’s Haig Avenue on Monday and opened the scoring.

Liverpool reportedly want £5 million for the 24-year-old and he’s attracted interest from Werder Bremen and clubs in Belgium and Greece.

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