Report: Liverpool have now been planning to sell ‘outstanding’ player for the last 12 months

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Liverpool are said to have been preparing for Xherdan Shaqiri’s exit for a year now, according to the Athletic.

On the way out

Liverpool and Lyon agreed a £9.5 million fee for the attacker last night, with Shaqiri now expected to depart Anfield imminently.

It will see Liverpool’s attacking numbers depleted further, and reduce the options for Jurgen Klopp off the bench.

However, Liverpool apparently don’t anticipate struggling to cope without Shaqiri in their squad, even though he was called an ‘outstanding player’ by Jose Enrique on Empire of the Kop recently.

Klopp sees Harvey Elliott and Kaide Gordon as his natural replacements, so won’t be dipping into the transfer market.

Both Elliott and Gordon have shown real promise and Liverpool apparently don’t want to block their pathways.

Indeed, the Reds have reportedly been planning to move Shaqiri on for 12 months, meaning they have had a succession plan in mind for some time.

That may be a disappointment for Liverpool supporters, who are craving more additions.

Liverpool brought in Ibrahima Konate early on in the transfer window, but have failed to add anyone since – and there is a fear that they have failed to improve in key areas, as their rivals have spent big.