Are these REALLY the FIVE players that Liverpool need to sell this summer?

Given Liverpool’s League form in 2012 it’s unsurprising that fans are looking for future fixes to be provided through the transfer market. After a poor run of games it’s only natural that fans start looking at which players they can offload in order to bring in players who they believe can do a better job. The Red’s chances of a top four finish are all but over and as things stand only four points separate them from 12^th place Stoke. It’s clear that changes need to be made, but I hope the club and the fans engineer forward momentum using a healthy dose of perspective.

An article appeared recently on Sports News Ireland suggesting that Liverpool need to sell five players this summer. Whilst I’m not sure that this is a real necessity, I’m even more surprised by some of the players that have been chosen.

Whilst a couple of the options make sense, I’d argue that none of the others do. As suggested, Charlie Adam and Dirk Kuyt are about ready to be moved on. Adam has failed to recapture the form he showed with Blackpool and doesn’t look suited to a role with a top side. He’s slow and sluggish and his attempts at pulling off a ‘killer pass’ are painful to watch.

Then there’s Dirk Kuyt who still inspires a lot of good feeling amongst Liverpool fans. He’s renowned for his hard-work, but I’d argue that the Reds will need more than that to succeed going forward. He’d certainly be a good squad option but at 31-years-old he may decide that the time is right for him to move on.

But what are we to make of the claims that Glen Johnson, Jay Spearing and Jordan Henderson should move on?

It would be absolute madness to sell Glen Johnson. It’s remarkably tough to find a reliable full-back so for the Reds to get rid of one of the best would be foolhardy.  He’s adept defensively and going forward, has bags of experience and grabs the occasional goal. It’s difficult to see how Liverpool can do better.

Jay Spearing is a local lad with bags of energy and a great deal of passion. I can’t help but feel that it’d sent out the wrong message to have him moved on. Whilst he doesn’t look like a first-teamer at the moment, he still has some developing to do and could operate as a decent squad-player.

Finally there’s Jordan Henderson, who has disappointed on a number of levels this season. Whilst he hasn’t lived up to his price tag, he too is a youngster who needs time to develop. I’d argue that he deserves at least another season with the Reds and a few more opportunities to prove his worth.

Yes changes need to be made, but it’s important not to get carried away. Liverpool need to keep hold of the players that can do a job and bring in players who can take them onwards to success. Let’s hope that Kenny Dalglish and Damien Comolli take to the transfer market with this in mind.

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