When Liverpool’s team left on their preseason tour to Singapore, they were missing a few well-known players.
Jurgen Klopp’s team knew there would be a midfield makeover in the summer, but not quite to the extent that is happening now.
They won’t have a designated captain in their squad for the trip to Singapore because Jordan Henderson’s £12 million transfer to join Steven Gerrard at Al-Ettifaq, which was announced on Thursday morning, won’t be taking place.
After Henderson moved to Saudi Arabia on a startling £700,000-per-week deal, making him the most paid England player ever, Klopp will soon be expected to pick a new captain.
Fabinho, who has also not traveled, appears to be another midfield stalwart the Reds will lose.
Prior to preseason matches against Leicester and Bayern Munich, Liverpool is traveling to Singapore.
Due to players leaving the club or becoming injured, Jurgen Klopp won’t have many choices in the midfield.
While Fabinho (right) is awaiting confirmation of a £40 million transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad, Jordan Henderson (left) has signed with Al-Ettifaq.
Henderson has reunited with former Liverpool team mate Steven Gerrard at the Saudi side
Due to injuries, the Reds are also without Thiago Alcantara (pictured) and Stefan Bajcetic.
His absence was anticipated as he waits for Al-Ittihad of the Saudi Pro League to officially ratify his £40 million transfer.
Due to their departures, Klopp will be driven to add another midfielder to his squad this summer after bringing in Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig and Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
Due to the absence of both Thiago Alcantara and the youngster Stefan Bajcetic, they will be short on midfielders for their tour to Singapore.
The two, who did make the trip to Liverpool’s training facility in Germany, have been given further time to heal from their individual problems; Thiago is dealing with a hip condition, while Bajcetic has an adductor issue.
Virgil van Dijk is one of the favourites to replace Henderson as Liverpool’s new captain
Despite Henderson’s departure, the players appeared to be in good spirits. Trent Alexander-Arnold was spotted laughing with backup left-back Kostas Tsimikas.
Andy Robertson speaking with Joe Gomez, who succeeds Henderson as the longest-tenured player for Liverpool.
As they take on Bayern Munich and demoted Leicester in Singapore, it leaves Klopp with little options.
After their £38 million proposal for Romeo Lavia from Southampton was turned down, the Reds are prepared to make a better offer.
For the 19-year-old midfielder, who else may have to settle for a season in the Championship with Southampton, they are contemplating a fresh bid of up to £45 million.