Karius to lead £100m Anfield clear-out
Loris Karius has revealed he is considering his future at Liverpool, as Jurgen Klopp prepares for a player clear-out which could raise more than £100million.
Karius could leave Liverpool before the transfer window closes after admitting his bitter disappointment at the £65 million record capture of Alisson, the Brazilian goalkeeper.
The futures of seven other players, including Divock Origi, Danny Ings, Sheyi Ojo, Lazar Markovic and Pedro Chirivella, are also uncertain as Klopp moves to trim his squad.
Valencia are set to make a £27million move for Origi, the Belgium international, and forward Ings is a target for Premier League clubs including Newcastle, Crystal Palace and Southampton. Liverpool will demand £20million plus addons for Ings.
Markovic is wanted by clubs in Greece and Turkey, while Middlesbrough, Wolfsburg and Reading have inquired about Ojo, the winger who is valued at £15million by the Merseysiders.
Lazio and Cardiff are in talks over a deal for Marko Grujic, though Klopp is happy to keep the Serbian midfielder, and Sporting Lisbon are interested in signing Chirivella, either on loan or permanently.
Ben Woodburn will be allowed to leave on loan after Liverpool’s United States tour, but it is undoubtedly the future of Karius which is the most intriguing.
The German is understood to be fuming over Klopp’s decision to bring in Alisson from Roma and will review his options ahead of the forthcoming campaign. Karius is also believed to be shocked by the lack of clarity over Klopp’s decision to bring in a new goalkeeper.
Klopp has openly admitted that Alisson will be his new No1 and the future appears bleak for Karius, who was unconvincing in the 3-1 defeat by Borussia Dortmund in the pre-season friendly in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday.
“Of course, it’s not perfect for me, but I cannot say much more about it either,” he said. “I do not know. I cannot say what I’m doing right now, there’s still some time left [in the transfer window].”
Liverpool fly to New York today and will play Manchester City in the International Champions Cup on Thursday.