6 players who regret leaving Liverpool amid Mane and Coutinho struggles
Liverpool have continued to prove that life is not always greener away from Anfield.
The Reds have largely stuck to a financial structure throughout Jurgen Klopp's reign - refusing to pay over the odds for players and not wilting at mammoth wage demands when it comes to contract renewals. As a result they have seen several players leave Merseyside for pastures new.
Be it the perceived opportunity of more success or the riches on offer. Liverpool though have rarely missed them, instead finding suitable replacements and continuing to thrive whilst those who've left have not quite had it as good.
The Merseyside outfit are set to undergo a rebuild this summer after what has been a difficult season, but those who've left in recent seasons have rarely gone on to better things as we take a look at some of the names who've departed and maybe wish they didn't.
Philippe Coutinho
The Brazilian was arguably the jewel in the crown at Anfield when he left in January 2018, but the record fee he raised would prove to be the catalyst for the success under Klopp. Coutinho had pushed for his switch to Barcelona the previous summer, being left out of the team as a result before he eventually being reintroduced.
Pep Guardiola went back on his word after blocking last-ditch Barcelona transfer
He did get his move in January however, earning the Reds more than £140m if all his clauses were met. Coutinho's dream move proved to be anything but though as he struggled to match the hype and eventually saw the fans turn on him. The occasional moment of brilliance wasn't enough and he watched as the Reds claimed domestic and European glory from afar.
Philippe Coutinho never truly delivered at Barcelona (AFP via Getty Images)He would end up going out on loan to Bayern Munich, where he too won a Champions League in a bit-part role, and has now returned to England with Aston Villa, but is by no means tearing it up at Villa Park.
Emre Can
The midfielder was a key part of the side Klopp inherited and had scored the goal of the season at Watford late in the 2016-17 season, but the following summer he left Liverpool on a free. Klopp wanted to keep the German, but his wage demands were proving to be more than the Reds wanted to pay.
He eventually took up big money at Juventus, who'd become the masters of signing players on free transfers. Can failed to have the desired impact in Turin however despite the team's constant success and he wasn't fancied by Maurizio Sarri when he arrived at the club.
Emre Can opted to run down his contract at Liverpool (Juventus FC via Getty Images)Eighteen months after his switch to Italy he was on the move again, back to his homeland where he joined Borussia Dortmund on loan before making the move permanent.
Jordon Ibe
Imagine how good he could've been had he worked under Klopp as a youngster. A signing from Wycombe as a teenager in 2011, Ibe was highly thought of but would move on to Bournemouth for £15m in 2016.
Yes it can be argued that minutes may have been hard to come by initially at Liverpool. But who's to say he couldn't have blossomed eventually had he played the long game?
Instead his spell at the Cherries never truly worked out and in 2022 he moved to Adanaspor in the second tier of Turkish football, although he was released within 12 months and is looking for a new club.
Gini Wijnaldum
Many still feel as though Liverpool are yet to adequately replace the Dutchman such was the hole he left in the middle of the park, but Wijnaldum by no means went on to tear it up when he joined PSG for nothing in the summer of 2021.
Gini Wijnaldum has found himself at Roma after a failed PSG stintThe player and the club were embroiled in contract talks for months but, as the season neared its conclusion, it became clear that a resolution would not be found and, despite long-term interest from Barcelona and Ronald Koeman, he eventually opted for a move to Paris.
Erling Haaland's agent details Man City exit plan and club she must say "yes" to
Wijnaldum struggled for minutes, which eventually saw him dropped from the national side, and within a year of joining he opted for a move to another of Europe's capitals - Rome - where he would team up with Jose Mourinho. He has only recently returned from a lengthy injury lay-off.
Takumi Minamino
The forward never truly cut the mustard at Liverpool, but was nevertheless a handy asset for have for Klopp. Many of his appearances came from the bench, whilst he was able to deputise impressively when the team needed some rotation.
The Japan international left Anfield in the summer (AFP via Getty Images)In the summer though Minamino was keen to gain more minutes and headed to Monaco, but the move hasn't materialised as he'd have liked. He's still fighting for a regular first-team spot with the Ligue 1 outfit having scored just once all season in 20 outings.
L'Equipe have previously been scathing about his move which they claimed was a "marketing exercise" with the principality club wanting to "break into the market" in Asia.
Monaco boss Philippe Clement was quizzed on Minamino's lack of starts and said: "It's simple, there are only eleven places in the team. 'Taki' has been doing great in training for a while, he was ready. I give a chance to the players who are ready, but unfortunately I can't give gifts to all those who work well in training."
Sadio Mane
Mane left Liverpool for Bayern Munich in the summer (Anke Waelischmiller/Sven Simon/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)There's still time for him to turn it around of course, and he is certainly good enough, but after six years of excellence at Liverpool Sadio Mane has seen his summer switch to Bayern Munich turn into something of an injury-hit nightmare.
The Senegalese star was forced to miss the World Cup through injury, and fitness issues have plagued him throughout his short time in Munich thus far, while he was taken off at half-time in the recent defeat at Bayer Leverkusen.
A new report in Germany claims that Bayern have grown concerned about Mane's apparent lack of effort in training, with his years of hard work at Liverpool perhaps taking their toll.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
