Steven Gerrard's farewell is almost over. It's certainly dragged on a bit, but the end is nigh. A new era beckons for Liverpool.
The veteran midfielder's final appearance for the Merseysiders will be at the Britannia Stadium this weekend as the curtain is brought down not only on the 34-year-old's Premier League career, but also a disappointing season for Brendan Rodgers' side.
Meanwhile, another player is also facing an Anfield exit, but at the opposite end of the scale. Few fans will wish Raheem Sterling well, should the 20-year-old's efforts to engineer a move away from the club succeed. Although the flying forward has insisted that his frustration is been borne out of ambition, rather than financial gain, his reputation is at an all-time low among Kopites.
The youngster's expected exit, unlike Gerrard's, will not be met with tears, but could even be considered a "godsend", as Liverpool title-winner Ray Houghton exclusively told talkSPORT.
If Sterling's departure is confirmed, the Merseysiders may well have a rather healthy transfer budget this summer. If the fee that is received for the England international is reinvested into the club's first-team squad, Liverpool's starting line up could have a very different feel to the one that is set to finish the current campaign.
Here are three options that discuss a new-look Liverpool, with several current players bolstered by a sprinkling of potential new arrivals. Could any of these scenarios help the Reds force their way back into the Champions League places next term?
Option 1:
Philippe Coutinho's contract negotiations were signed, sealed and delivered long before Liverpool failed to secure a place in next season's Champions League. He is committed to the cause and well liked by the fans. The Brazilian has proven himself to be a real weapon throughout the current campaign and could thrive if handed a central role on a consistent basis.
Meanwhile, a potent front three consisting only of Englishman would pose problems for any defence in the division. The arrival of Theo Walcott would ensure that Rodgers has the ability to field a side that contains a man in possession of frightening pace. Defenders in the Premier League often struggle to curb Sterling's runs inside, and from deep. A similar role could be fulfilled by the Arsenal forward.
Option 2:
The formation pictured below may lack natural width, but the central midfield three would provide a blend of power, presence and technique to help make Liverpool extremely difficult to break down, but also capable of breaking with speed. Geoffrey Kondogbia does not possess the same passing repertoire as Gerrard, but he has the legs to provide the surging runs that the club's skipper used to in his pomp.
Of course, the arrival of the Monaco man represents a gamble given that he has only recently rose to prominence, but he will certainly be hungry for success.
The same can be said of Christian Benteke. The early stages of the Belgian front man's season was disrupted through injury, but he has returned to form under Tim Sherwood and scored 13 goals in 28 appearances in England's top tier this term.
Given that he is proven on these shores, is still relatively young and would not cost a huge amount, the 24-year-old could be everything that both Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli were supposed to be and more.
Option 3:
Liverpool need to improve their front line whether Sterling leaves or not. Luis Suarez's departure last summer led to a dramatic decline in the side's attacking threat, along with Sturridge's ongoing injury crisis. Sterling was often utilised as a centre forward in an attempt to mask such deficiencies, but the Jamaican-born forward was unable to carry the mantle.
His exit should prompt further strengthening in such an area and if a cheap acquisition is what Liverpool are in the market for, they need look no further than Danny Ings. The striker is set to leave Burnley on a free transfer and Rodgers could snap the England Under-21 forward up for a minor compensation package.
Of course, the 23-year-old would have a huge task on his hands if he was installed as first choice, but Rodgers would be able to use him sparingly alongside Sturridge as an option for certain opponents, or late on in a finely-poised match. Likewise for Divock Origi, who is set to be welcomed into the fold on a permanent basis following his loan spell at Lille.
The front line may not contain the marquee names fans will crave, but surely it represent a better option than some that have ben fielded during Sturridge's injury struggles throughout the season?
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The veteran midfielder's final appearance for the Merseysiders will be at the Britannia Stadium this weekend as the curtain is brought down not only on the 34-year-old's Premier League career, but also a disappointing season for Brendan Rodgers' side.
Meanwhile, another player is also facing an Anfield exit, but at the opposite end of the scale. Few fans will wish Raheem Sterling well, should the 20-year-old's efforts to engineer a move away from the club succeed. Although the flying forward has insisted that his frustration is been borne out of ambition, rather than financial gain, his reputation is at an all-time low among Kopites.
The youngster's expected exit, unlike Gerrard's, will not be met with tears, but could even be considered a "godsend", as Liverpool title-winner Ray Houghton exclusively told talkSPORT.
If Sterling's departure is confirmed, the Merseysiders may well have a rather healthy transfer budget this summer. If the fee that is received for the England international is reinvested into the club's first-team squad, Liverpool's starting line up could have a very different feel to the one that is set to finish the current campaign.
Here are three options that discuss a new-look Liverpool, with several current players bolstered by a sprinkling of potential new arrivals. Could any of these scenarios help the Reds force their way back into the Champions League places next term?
Option 1:
Philippe Coutinho's contract negotiations were signed, sealed and delivered long before Liverpool failed to secure a place in next season's Champions League. He is committed to the cause and well liked by the fans. The Brazilian has proven himself to be a real weapon throughout the current campaign and could thrive if handed a central role on a consistent basis.
Meanwhile, a potent front three consisting only of Englishman would pose problems for any defence in the division. The arrival of Theo Walcott would ensure that Rodgers has the ability to field a side that contains a man in possession of frightening pace. Defenders in the Premier League often struggle to curb Sterling's runs inside, and from deep. A similar role could be fulfilled by the Arsenal forward.
Option 2:The formation pictured below may lack natural width, but the central midfield three would provide a blend of power, presence and technique to help make Liverpool extremely difficult to break down, but also capable of breaking with speed. Geoffrey Kondogbia does not possess the same passing repertoire as Gerrard, but he has the legs to provide the surging runs that the club's skipper used to in his pomp.
Of course, the arrival of the Monaco man represents a gamble given that he has only recently rose to prominence, but he will certainly be hungry for success.
The same can be said of Christian Benteke. The early stages of the Belgian front man's season was disrupted through injury, but he has returned to form under Tim Sherwood and scored 13 goals in 28 appearances in England's top tier this term.
Given that he is proven on these shores, is still relatively young and would not cost a huge amount, the 24-year-old could be everything that both Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli were supposed to be and more.
Option 3:Liverpool need to improve their front line whether Sterling leaves or not. Luis Suarez's departure last summer led to a dramatic decline in the side's attacking threat, along with Sturridge's ongoing injury crisis. Sterling was often utilised as a centre forward in an attempt to mask such deficiencies, but the Jamaican-born forward was unable to carry the mantle.
His exit should prompt further strengthening in such an area and if a cheap acquisition is what Liverpool are in the market for, they need look no further than Danny Ings. The striker is set to leave Burnley on a free transfer and Rodgers could snap the England Under-21 forward up for a minor compensation package.
Of course, the 23-year-old would have a huge task on his hands if he was installed as first choice, but Rodgers would be able to use him sparingly alongside Sturridge as an option for certain opponents, or late on in a finely-poised match. Likewise for Divock Origi, who is set to be welcomed into the fold on a permanent basis following his loan spell at Lille.
The front line may not contain the marquee names fans will crave, but surely it represent a better option than some that have ben fielded during Sturridge's injury struggles throughout the season?
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