Liverpool can offload four players to make room for lucrative Lavia transfer

Thiago Alcantara

Part of Klopp’s midfield regeneration involves getting rid of the ‘old’ and in with the ‘new’. Mac Allister and Szoboszlai qualify as the new arrivals, and now Thiago could join the likes of Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner in the ‘old’ unwanted pile.

The Spaniard’s class is unquestionable, but so is his proneness to injury and the truth is he has never made more than 20 starts for Liverpool in a Premier League season. If Klopp is to bridge the gap to City, he needs squad players he can rely upon – and there is a big question mark next to Thiago’s name.

Now 32, Thiago has a year left on his current deal but Liverpool would be wise to consider a mutual termination if he is offered the chance to head back to Spain, with Lavia’s arrival enough to help them fill the creative void.