Liverpool are set to allow Xherdan Shaqiri to leave Anfield and join Lyon, but their plan to replace the Swiss could come back to haunt Jurgen Klopp. Shaqiri will move to the Ligue 1 side imminently for £9.5million, with personal terms having already been agreed.
His game-time has decreased markedly over the past two seasons, with injuries hampering the attacker’s chance to impress.
But he has still been an important squad player for the Reds, who do not possess a wealth of options in attack.
After a disastrous Premier League title defence last season, which saw them finish well behind Manchester City, Liverpool have started the new campaign in better form.
They eased past Norwich in their opening game, before holding off the physical challenge of Burnley on Saturday.
The Reds have mainly focused on outgoings this summer, with Klopp having just one new arrival to play with in his squad.
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That though could leave them horribly stretched as the amount of games being played begins to ramp up.
Elliott is said to be taking the leading role in the Premier League and Champions League, with Gordon set to step up for the domestic cups.
But the two youngsters are also being expected to provide options in central midfield, with Klopp not considering buying a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum.
Liverpool possess an aging squad, but Klopp will still need to be careful with the amount of game time he hands to Elliott and Gordon.
The former was a regular for Blackburn Rovers in the Championship last season, but this is his first full campaign in the Premier League.
Gordon meanwhile has virtually only featured for the Reds’ junior teams, with this being his first full season training with the senior side.
The high-pressing style of play that Klopp utilises means that the German will have to wary of running his young players too hard.
But if injuries and form once again begin to take their toll, Klopp’s squad could quickly become too stretched to compete on numerous fronts.
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