Regardless of whatever REASON they left, does it really relevant that much in this discussion?

The point is, they all left to join other teams because they figure they will have a better chance of winning silverware elsewhere but not in Liverpool.

You think by moving to Chelsea, Meireles will get to start in more games than he was in Liverpool? Of course not, he will be benched just like another squad player just like how he was in Liverpool. But he certainly feel more comfortable and higher chance of winning having surrounded by more quality players around him.

Why Nasri or Cesc's departure are deemed irrrelevant? They left Arsenal with the same thing in mind, to join a stronger army hence giving them a better chance of winning. So does Torres. Mind you , Mascherano joined Barca to warm their bench eventhough he was a starting 11 in Liverpool.

Put yourself in Meireles's position, you have been offered a chance to move to a stronger team, will you take the plunge? I'm not alluding that we are not on par with Chelsea, but unless we start winning games consistently and silverware and able to KEEP HOLD of our good players, our players will continued to be poached by rivals without any loose change.