Can Liverpool keep star players after Rafa’s departure?

Will Torres and Gerrard leave Anfield?

Now that Rafa Benitez has left Liverpool the club need to start to look for a new boss. However it could be even worse for Liverpool fans as the new boss may need to replace their top players. It looks like some of their top players now have itchy feet.

Rumour mill

At this point in the summer the rumour mill goes into overdrive. Every decent player is linked with a big money move. Liverpool players have been prominent in these rumours. Despite their poor showing last season Liverpool still have some quality players.

Loyal

Some of the Liverpool squad are fiercely loyal to the Spaniard and one of those stars is Argentinian international Javier Mascherano. The former-West Ham star has cast doubts on his future by saying he doesn’t know where his future lies.

The 25 year-old was in contract negotiations before Benitez’s departure but those talks are now on hold while he considers his future on Merseyside. He is now being linked with a move to European champions Inter with Benitez expected to take the reins at the Nerazzurri in the near future.

Stars

Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard are the two stand-out stars of the Liverpool squad but last season they were hampered by lack of form and injury problems. When they were on the pitch their body language suggested that they were frustrated by the clubs poor performance.

It wasn’t just last season that Gerrard has endured frustration. The Liverpool captain still hasn’t won the league title medal he so desires. Even a player as committed to the Liverpool cause must now be thinking its time he moves on.

New Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has already expressed his desire to take the England captain to the Bernabeu and its believed the 30 year-old would be tempted by a move the Spanish capital. It would give him an opportunity to challenge for a league title and also work with the best coach in the world.

Mourinho is expected to place a big money bid for the midfielder in the next few weeks. The bid could be held up by Gerrard’s participation in the World Cup. Gerrard is now also being linked with European champions Inter. Either way it looks like Liverpool’s talisman could now be leaving the nest.

Deadly

Spanish international striker Fernando Torres is one of the deadliest finishers in the world but has suffered numerous injury setbacks in the last few seasons. Despite these injury setbacks if he became available for transfer there would be a host of top clubs queuing up to sign him.

If recent newspaper reports are to be believed Manchester City and champions Chelsea could be set to battle it out for the Spaniard and are prepared to pay around £70million to secure his services for next season.

A return to Spain is unlikely as Barcelona have recently signed David Villa and Torres is unlikely to go to Real Madrid after coming through the ranks at their bitter rivals Atletico. Torres is unlikely to stick around at Liverpool for too long as the club continue to underachieve.

Struggle

Liverpool struggled last season and without their star players the club could go into further decline. The club can’t afford anymore upheaval and if they want to stay anywhere near the top the club need to keep hold of their top players.

The future of the club could hinge on what happens during the next few months. I have a feeling that the Liverpool fans will be in for a major disappointment this summer and another campaign of underachievement is on the cards next season.