Nottingham Forest look set for another year in the Championship, as they sit in the cosy mid-table 12 points off the play-off spots.
Liverpool, much like their fellow former European Champions, are waiting for next season with optimism, after this season has proved to be another damp squib of a campaign, despite the arrival of Jurgen Klopp. The Reds are hoping that the summer will bring significant investment to turn their fortunes, rather than see the club continue to drift into the ignominy of mid-table regularity alongside Stoke, West Ham and Everton.
Planning long-term is often what makes the difference between a successful manager and a true great. Klopp, who built Dortmund up from the doldrums in similar fashion, must look to his academy if he is to bring long-term success to Anfield and a Championship club without the pressures of relegation or promotion seems the ideal breeding ground for these talents.
As a mass clearout looms in the summer, many of the Anfield outcasts will see a loan move as their opportunity to make a shock dart into first-team contention before the 2016/17 campaign.
Sheyi Ojo
Ojo was the shining light in Liverpool’s drab away performance at Exeter earlier this year and the midfielder is a huge asset to any squad because of his versatility.
The youngster can play across the midfield or in any attacking midfield role and his rangey stride makes him hard to stop once he builds up some momentum – think of a fully fit Abou Diaby, or, more positively, Patrick Vieira.
Ojo’s game is more based in the final third than either of those players, but his stature makes him a powerful opponent.
Jordan Rossiter
Rossiter continues to look to be on his way out of Anfield at the end of the season, but the midfielder might still be looking for the chance to impress on loan elsewhere.
The midfielder is assured in possession and adept at breaking up play and would be playing to put himself in the shop window.
Jon Flanagan
The Scouse Cafu made his return recently, but he is unlikely to displace Alberto Moreno or Nathaniel Clyne in the remainder of the season and will be looking for minutes.
Any Championship club would be pleased to take on a defender of such experience and his ability to play on either side of the defence makes him a good signing.
Jordon Ibe
Although he has featured relatively regularly during this season, Ibe is unlikely to appear much more due to the return of both Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge.
Ibe, despite lazy Sterling comparisons, is yet to regularly produce a quality end product and will need minutes to do so.
Divock Origi
Origi, like Ibe, has had brief chances this season, but has seen those diminish with the returning Sturridge and Coutinho.
Although he netted during Liverpool’s recent rout at Villa Park the striker was unimpressive when out on loan last season and still needs to prove he has a future at the club.
