Liverpool defender Glen Johnson drops strong exit hint before Stoke trip

Liverpool defender Glen Johnson has seemingly given the clearest indication yet that he is set to leave the club this summer after posting a heartfelt message to supporters just hours before the final game of the season at Stoke on 24 May.

The former England stalwart has made just 15 Premier League starts this season and although a concrete decision on his future has yet to be made public by either the player or Liverpool, he is widely expected to leave Anfield over the coming weeks with his contract set to expire and little prospect of a new deal on the horizon.

"A big thank you to all the people out there who have genuinely supported me through the last 6 years #200 #NewChapter," he wrote on his official Twitter account before receiving plenty of good luck wishes in response.

Just what lies in store next for Johnson is unclear at this stage. He has gained extensive experience in the Premier League over the last 13 years, yet much of the talk over recent months has involved a possible move to the continent and a reunion with former international colleague Ashley Cole at Serie A outfit AS Roma.

While the 30-year-old is surely set to depart Liverpool after six years, however, fellow right-back Javi Manquillo has spoken of his determination to fight for a first-team place under Brendan Rodgers despite having failed to appear consistently since joining on a two-year loan deal from Atletico Madrid in August 2014.

"Everyone wants to play, we are all fighting for our own position on the field and it is true I haven't had the chance to feature since January," the Spaniard said.

"But it doesn't alter the fact I will work hard to get a game, whether it is the last game of the season or to be considered early on next season.

"That's what we are here for, we are all here to fight for our place and that's what I will be doing."

Rodgers' side will be looking to finish a disappointing season with a flourish at the Britannia Stadium after a difficult week in which the prospect of Raheem Sterling remaining at Liverpool appeared to totally diminish following a strong interview given by his agent Aidy Ward.

Mario Balotelli remains doubtful for the match, while Steven Gerrard will make his last appearance for the Reds – barring any future loan arrangement – before he joins Frank Lampard in Major League Soccer.