Liverpool boss ready to axe five first-team players

Rodgers

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers is set to embark on a clear-out at Anfield, Football Express News understands.

A source close to the club told FEN the Reds are prepared to part company with goalkeeper Pepe Reina, defenders Jose Enrique and Kolo Toure, and forwards Iago Aspas and Fabio Borini.

Talisman Luis Suarez is almost certain to depart for Barcelona, while midfield man Lucas Leiva has, according to Italian source Il Mattino, decided he wants to leave the club for Napoli.

He has set his sights on a reunion with former Liverpool head coach Rafael Benitez at the Serie A club, and his representatives will meet with officials from Naples this week despite a fee not being agreed.

Reina spent last season on loan at Napoli and could rejoin them on a permanent basis, while Enrique missed much of the 2013-14 campaign through injury and has lost his place to Jon Flanagan.

Toure fell out of favour during the Premier League title run-in following several high-profile mistakes, and could leave for a cut-price fee as he has only 12 months left on his contract.

Borini impressed in flashes during a loan stint at Sunderland last term but finds himself behind the likes of Daniel Sturridge and Rickie Lambert in the pecking order.

Aspas is yet to score a goal in the league and has made little impression in his first year in English football.