Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Tom Cavilla

What happened to the 12 players who left Liverpool in the summer

A total of 12 players left Liverpool on a permanent basis at the end of the 2020/21 season, embarking upon new adventures away from Anfield.

Jurgen Klopp's side waved goodbye to the likes of Gini Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri, who had both played their part in the club's Champions League and Premier League triumphs, meanwhile a number of Academy prospects were also released.

Each of the players to have moved on have experienced varying levels of success since their exits were confirmed, with some shining after taking a leap of faith while others are currently without a club. We have rounded up how each individual has fared below.

READ MORE: FA Cup semi-final decision slammed by Liverpool fans in blistering statement

READ MORE: Lionel Messi vote proves FSG must hand Liverpool star new contract

HAVE YOUR SAY: Can Liverpool win the quadruple?

Gini Wijnaldum

The big-name summer departure at the club. After failing to reach terms over a new contract at the club, the Dutch midfielder signed for Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. Wijnaldum has so far struggled to have the impact many expected him to have and has failed to truly establish himself in the French capital.

Earlier on this season, he admitted to being not 'completely happy' with his situation at the club but vowed to carry on fighting for a successful spell at PSG. Wijnaldum was left on the bench for both legs of the French side's Champions League Round of 16 exit at the hands of Real Madrid.

Liam Millar

After loan spells to both Kilmarnock and Charlton Athletic, Liverpool decided against sending out the Canadian forward for a third time and instead cashed in. The 22-year-old was sold to Swiss side Basel and has made an instant impact during the 2021/22 season.

Millar has scored nine goals and registered nine assists in all competitions and could be involved at the 2022 World Cup for his home country, securing qualification for only the second time in their history.

Marko Grujic

Grujic sealed a £10.5million exit in the summer to join Porto, a side he made a positive impression at the previous campaign. Liverpool also negotiated a 10 per cent sell-on clause as part of this deal.

The Serbian midfielder has been a regular starter for the Portuguese side when fit and faced off against the Reds in the Champions League group stages both home and away. Porto are on course to win the top-flight title and are still competing for silverware in the Europa League and Taca de Portugal.

READ MORE: Liverpool pre-season plans: Manchester United friendly, Bangkok visit and what happens next

READ MORE: Liverpool owners FSG eye £2bn move as LeBron James plan takes step closer

Taiwo Awoniyi

Perhaps the biggest success story on this list, the Nigerian forward has showcased his ability in the Bundesliga at Union Berlin. Awoniyi never made a first-team appearance for the Reds due to work permit issues and completed a £6.5million permanent switch on the back of a series of loans to clubs across Europe.

His final loan move was at Union Berlin last season, who were convinced with what they had seen and secure his signature in the summer. The 24-year-old has scored 11 goals in 24 Bundesliga appearances in 2021/22, proving his ability in a major league in the process.

Harry Wilson

A player many supporters were sad to see depart. Harry Wilson had displayed glimpses of quality during past loan with Cardiff City, Derby County, Hull City and Bournemouth. but was never truly provided a first-team chance. Aware of the fact that he would need to leave in order to guarantee regular minutes, the Welsh winger was recruited by Fulham.

The 25-year-old has been an outstanding performer for Marco Silva's side, scoring ten goals and providing 14 assists for the Championship league leaders. A return to Anfield looks to be on the cards for Wilson next year as the Cottagers close in on promotion.

Xherdan Shaqiri

Shaqiri ended his three-season stay as Lyon came calling during the summer transfer window. A goal and assist in his opening three matches represented a promising start, though the Ligue 1 outfit decided to offload the Swiss star just six months into his career with the club.

MLS outfit Chicago Fire swooped for Shaqiri last month, securing a £5.9million deal. He has featured four times since signing and opening his goalscoring account on March 19.

Kamil Grabara

The Polish goalkeeper was a regular at Academy level, but failed to make a single first-team appearance for the Reds. Grabara agreed a five-year contract with FC Copenhagen, for whom he is now first-choice. The Danish side are top of the league with ten fixtures remaining.

EXCLUSIVE: John Terry tried to bring Liverpool defender best friends with Steven Gerrard to Chelsea

EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool signed shy teen loved by German ultras for free and he become social media sensation

'MY GOD WHAT HAVE WE DONE': Jurgen Klopp regretted emergency Liverpool signing after hasty transfer deal

Yasser Larouci

Larouci turned down the chance to stay at the club, instead signing for Ligue 1 side Troyes. Injury issues have seen the Algerian defender limited to only six outings in all competitions.

Joe Hardy

Injury issues disrupted the progress being made by the 23-year-old, whose first-team bow for the Reds arrived in an FA Cup replay with Shrewsbury Town in January 2020. Liverpool released the young forward, with League One side Accrington Stanley completing a two-year deal. He joined Inverness on loan in January and will spend the remainder of the season in the Scottish Championship.

Abdi Sharif

The central midfielder left Liverpool, having been at the club since the age of six, and remains a free agent.

Jack Walls

A right-back by trade, local non-league side City of Liverpool snapped up the 20-year-old in November.

Remi Savage

The 20-year-old defender rejected a contract offer from Liverpool, instead agreeing a move to Newcastle United. Savage is current part of the Magpies' under-23s squad.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.