Liverpool fielded 22 players in their first pre-season fixture, but the absence of two names indicates they can expect to leave Anfield soon.

Jurgen Klopp rotated his entire starting lineup at the break against Chester, with the first half side netting twice and the second 45 minutes seeing a further five goals added.

There was a real mix of players on show, from a few first-team faces, a group of young hopefuls and a clutch of individuals returned from loan.

The boss made the most of the players available by shuffling his usual formation, essentially lining up in a 4-4-2 variation and fielding one or two players outside of their natural positions.

Two who weren’t involved at all, however, were Connor Randall and Lazar Markovic.

With zero chance to impress even against sixth-tier opposition, it’s clear that there is no Anfield future for either and a swift departure for both should be expected.

Randall spent last season on loan in Scotland, playing 27 times for Hearts at both right-back and defensive midfield.

He has played eight times for the Reds at senior level, but his last appearance came in 2016/17 in the FA Cup—his only outing that term.

Now 22 years of age, the Liverpool-born defender has next to no chance of involvement in 18/19 as he would need to be registered on the club’s 25-man list of players.

With Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez and Nathaniel Clyne all ahead of him for the right-back berth, there’s simply no way through in his primary position.

Even Rafa Camacho, not a full-back by trade, appeared ahead of him at Chester.

As for Markovic, his future is arguably even more bleak.

A senior squad member and an established international before he began his tour of Europe on loan, Markovic didn’t play a single time last season before leaving in January.

His spell at Anderlecht took some time to get going, and comments made by the winger on his treatment by the Anfield club haven’t exactly endeared him to fans or coaching staff.

The Reds played four wingers against Chester, all youthful prospects, and Markovic didn’t even get on as a late sub.

With one year left on his contract he can expect to depart this term, be it on an effective free transfer with yet another loan or with the Reds finally recouping some of their initial, ultimately wasted, investment with a sale.