Transfer News: Three Liverpool players confirmed to leave as contract expires
According to a report by Liverpool Echo, Georginio Wijnaldum, Yasser Larouci, and Ozan Kabak are no longer Liverpool players as their contract officially expires.
All three players have secured an exit this summer, with Wijnaldum already agreeing on a deal with PSG for next season. Larouci, the 20-year-old Algerian left-back, is yet to announce his next move. (h/t Liverpool Echo)
Kabak was loaned in from Schalke on deadline day in January 2021 to help the Reds deal with their injury crisis at the back. His loan spell has now expired, with the Turkish defender even sending out a farewell message to the club.
Kabak’s contract included an £18m option to make his contract permanent in the summer. However, Jurgen Klopp passed up on that opportunity.
Liverpool will miss Wijnaldum
Wijnaldum’s absence is perhaps the one that will sting the most out of the three. The Dutchman, ever since he joined from Newcastle United, had been a vital part of Liverpool’s midfield.
The ever-present 30-year-old in Klopp’s midfield played an important role in the Reds winning the UEFA Champions League as well as the Premier League. The Reds are yet to sign a replacement for him.
The club has Curtis Jones, the young Scouser, that can take over the helm- but most fans would prefer a more experienced midfielder that can come into the side and slot into Wijnaldum’s position.
As for Kabak and Larouci, Liverpool already possess good depth in those areas. Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas make up for Liverpool’s depth down the left-hand side.
More Liverpool News:
- Liverpool fans react as Rafael Benitez set to become Everton manager
- Transfer News: Liverpool offer €23m plus Marko Grujic for Otavio
- Liverpool told to pay at least €100m for Kingsley Coman
And with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and now Ibrahima Konate in Liverpool’s defence, it would have been an uphill task for the Schalke man to find a starting place under Klopp.