Liverpool and Leeds were two of the country’s biggest clubs just a few decades a go, but they are now an ordinary mid-table side and a club who has been lingering in the Championship for several seasons.
The Reds face the prospect of a season of mid-table mediocrity and now face more similarities with their bitter Merseyside rivals than with Arsenal or Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Anfield is yet to show signs of the dynasty that many had hoped for and the German’s gradual progress as manager will require huge amounts of patience from the board and fans alike.
Klopp is going to have to look to the future as he builds his squad and some players make look to a loan move east to show the former Dortmund manager what they can do. The Liverpool squad needs an overhaul, as players like Lucas and Skrtel continue to haunt a squad that has never had sustained success.
Here are five players that could be about to look to Leeds for their big break..
Jordan Rossiter
Rossiter looks unlikely to sign a new contract at Liverpool and the central midfielder, who can dominate a game, may look at how Leeds have developed Lewis Cook and think that this could be a great move for him.
Rossiter is a hard tackler and dominating presence in central midfield and it would be a good challenge for the youngster if he threw himself into first-team football.
Divock Origi
Origi, like many Premier League players, may think that a loan move to the Championship is below him. The Belgian, rightly, might see this as a step backwards in his career.
However, one step back to take two forwards could be the way for the forward to progress his own career.
Competition is fierce in the attacking roles at Liverpool and Origi is likely to see more players arrive in his positions this summer.
Confidence is the key to players like Origi and a successful loan move for the remainder of this season could see the youngster force his way into Klopp’s plans.
Jon Flanagan
Flanagan is unlikely to have many minutes in the remainder of this season, unless Moreno or Clyne are injured. The Scouse Cafu showed in Liverpool’s ‘nearly year’ that he can cope at the highest level, but a torrid time with injury has left the full-back out of Klopp’s thinking.
Once an England hopeful, a trip to the Euros seems almost impossible, but Flanagan needs to be playing football if he wants his own career to get back on track and he would be a key figure at Leeds.
Sheyi Ojo
Ojo’s long-legged dribbling style makes him a great player to watch, as he nicks the ball past opposition players and drives at the defence he is a powerful presence and a huge asset to have in your squad.
The midfielder could well be in Klopp’s long-term plans, but, for the mean time, a loan move would do him the world of good. Whilst Liverpool are not blessed for quality in midfield, Ojo is just short of experience to become a regular and would surely be a favourite with the fans at Elland Road.
Jerome Sinclair
Since becoming Liverpool’s youngest ever goal scorer, Sinclair’s career has plateaued to say the least. Once considered a great prodigy of Liverpool’s academy, the pacey centre forward has never made the step up to regular first team contention.
Liverpool, when the squad is fully fit, are now blessed with attacking options and Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi, Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino are in the way of Sinclair’s progress to the first team.
