The 9 players let go by Liverpool last summer and how they’ve fared since

Liverpool said goodbye to an all-time legend, a cult hero and plenty of fringe players in the summer of 2022, but how have they fared since? We’ve done some digging to take stock one year on.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have endured something of a hangover after their quadruple-pushing exploits in 2021-22, failing to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in seven years, prompting a major midfield rebuild this summer.

But have things gone well for those that left? Let’s take a look…

Loris Karius

Liverpool finally cut ties with Karius in 2022, four years after that Champions League final disasterclass against Real Madrid.

The goalkeeper had spent the intervening period on loan at Besiktas and Union Berlin, but his next permanent move was considerably closer to home.

Newly-minted Newcastle signed Karius as cover for Nick Pope, initially on a three-month deal.

His one and only appearance for the club came in last month’s League Cup final defeat to Manchester United, where Karius performed well despite conceding two goals.

Karius remains third-choice at St. James’ Park and it’s difficult to imagine him playing regularly for Eddie Howe’s Magpies any time soon, but he’s recently signed another contract extension to remain at the club next season, so he must be reasonably happy up in Tyneside.

Divock Origi

Beloved by the Anfield faithful for his goals against Barcelona and Everton, Origi left with everybody’s best wishes at the end of his contract.

The Belgium striker moved to AC Milan and scored twice in 27 Serie A appearances for the Italian giants. He’s also taken to social media to announce the creation of his own fashion brand.

“I think it comes from my mum, because she’s very stylish,” said Origi in 2018, when speaking to the Soccer Bible about his adoration for fashion.

“I think it’s always been in me, even when I was very young I always used to combine my clothes, and I would always get compliments about my outfits.

“Every time I was given some money to go and buy some clothes I would always be very creative. I’d go into the stores and try and match my clothes.

“I’ve always tried to make outfits that bit more special and unique. I think it’s my way of expressing myself, because I’m not a big talker, I’m not really expressive in that way, but I am in the way that I dress.”

Back to the football – Origi’s days at the San Siro appear numbered. He’s been linked with moves to the Saudi Pro League and Premier League. Watch this space.

READ: Ranking Divock Origi’s six goals for Liverpool against Everton

Elijah Dixon-Bonner

Dixon-Bonner left Anfield last summer after making just two appearances for the senior side.

The young midfielder, who left London to join Liverpool as a 14-year-old, moved back to the capital to sign for Championship side Queens Park Rangers last October.

However, his season amounted to a single eight-minute cameo for the struggling west London outfit. But he did recently pen a one-year extension to remain at the club until 2024.

Sheyi Ojo

With eight Liverpool appearances and seven loan spells away from Anfield, Ojo’s departure last summer was probably the best solution for both parties.

The attacker moved to Cardiff City, one of the clubs he’d represented on loan, and impressed during a televised FA Cup tie against Premier League opposition in Leeds United.

Don’t bet against him returning to the top flight one day.

Ex-Liverpool and Rangers attacker Sheyi Ojo doubled Cardiff's FA Cup lead against Leeds! ✌️

A big second-half lies ahead for Jesse Marsch… pic.twitter.com/eMlkfhsb8w

— 90min (@90min_Football) January 8, 2023

Ben Woodburn

Woodburn played the same amount of games for Wales (11) as Liverpool, meaning a permanent move away from the Premier League juggernauts was probably overdue.

Blessed with a wicked shot and more tricks than David Blaine, the attacking midfielder signed a one-year contract with Championship side Preston North End with an option for a further year.

Asked by the Lancashire Post whether he’d like to stay at Deepdale, Woodburn said: “Oh yeah, 100%. I’m enjoying it. It feels nice to be a part of a team, I’ve been on a lot of loans and you feel like you’re in and out and you’re never going to be staying there.

“So it does feel nice to be a part of a team and playing a lot of games this year.

“My contract does run out but hopefully if we can get it done it could be a lot more than a year. That’s what I really want to do.”

He got his wish, with Preston triggering the extension clause in his contract.

Sadio Mane

This one still hurts, especially as Mane struggled at Bayern.

At the age of 31 he’s set to leave Bavaria and take up a lucrative contract with Saudi club Al-Nassr. What a waste for a player widely regarded as one of the best attackers in the Premier League just over a year ago.

READ: The 5 players Liverpool signed along with Sadio Mane and how they fared

Takumi Minamino

Despite possessing talent, it never quite happened for Minamino on Merseyside.

It was always a tall order for a young player to break into the Salah-Mane-Firimino trio and the Japan international left for Monaco last summer in the hope of first-team football.

Minamino made 25 appearances for the Ligue 1 side, scoring once, and was part of the Japan side that illuminated last year’s World Cup.

Neco Williams

Another Wales international, Williams found it difficult to usurp Trent Alexander-Arnold at Liverpool and left the club in July 2022 in search of first-team football.

Signed as part of Nottingham Forest’s trolley dash for £17million, the full-back has made 31 Premier League appearances and played his part in them upsetting the odds to stay up.

Ben Davies

Signed to cover Liverpool’s defensive injury crisis at the start of 2021, Davies’ use expired once Virgil van Dijk and company returned.

He spent the 2021-22 season at Sheffield United and made the permanent move to Rangers for £4million last summer.

After overcoming fitness issues, Davies has become a regular in the Rangers side and has spoken about how much he’s enjoying life at Ibrox.

“It’s been kind of difficult,” the defender said in January. “I think pre-season the last couple of years have been good for fitness, but the match minutes haven’t matched what I’ve needed in previous years.

“Coming to a club on loan and being expected to play 90 minutes from the start has been difficult, not just this year but last year as well.

“But I’ve always felt once I can get a run of games then the little niggles will fade away and I think I’m at that stage now.”

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