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While remembering the past at Anfield last Sunday, Liverpool’s supporters could have unwittingly been given a glimpse of the future.

Luis Suarez, Xabi Alonso, Fernando Torres and Pepe Reina were among the more celebrated players returning to their former stomping ground, while cult favourite Alvaro Arbeloa was also there.

Each was evidently delighted to be back at what Alonso regarded as “home”.

But since leaving, three of the quintet have won the Champions League since leaving Liverpool (Alonso adding to his Istanbul success) and all five still harbour realistic hopes of claiming a winner’s medal next month.

They all departed, with the possible exception of Reina, to further their careers by competing for the type of silverware the Reds simply cannot.

Even the most ardent would accept that truth. But the worry is the trickle of top talent exiting the club could become a regular occurrence.

It never used to be that way. But then, Liverpool have, at least in the modern era, never gone a quarter of a century since winning the championship.

The perception has changed. Liverpool, at least in terms of their very best players, have become to all intents a selling club.

Witness the Raheem Sterling situation, where the barely-disguided inference is Anfield is merely a stepping stone for bigger and better things.

With one trophy in nine years and irregular qualification to the Champions League, Liverpool are in danger of becoming a feeder club for the highest echelons, a finishing school for Europe’s elite.

In fact, it’s already started. This summer will be all about Sterling. Suarez was the two summers before that. And in 2016, who knows?

Fenway Sports Group have a very clear vision regarding transfer and wage policy. It’s why they will hold firm on Sterling and why they have eased high earners such as Reina and soon Glen Johnson out of the club.

And with Steven Gerrard also on his way, the slate is in a way being wiped clean.

Giving their growing reliance on developing players that, it seems, will most likely be whisked elsewhere, comparisons are being drawn between Liverpool and Sterling’s apparent main suitors, Arsenal.

Events at the Emirates on Saturday suggest that may not be a bad thing.

But will Liverpool be willing to splash out as the Gunners did on the likes of £42m Mesut Ozil and £35m Alexis Sanchez?

More pertinently, will they even be able to attract such talents?

Fans may be unhappy with Sterling. But the winger is on a path that could become well trodden in future years unless Liverpool begin claiming silverware once more.

Otherwise, it will be a matter of when rather than if for in-demand players such as Sterling seeking pastures new.