Leading the Premier League by 12 points and thriving like never before under the fresh direction of Arne Slot. On the surface, Liverpool’s current situation appears nothing short of sensational.
However, beneath this veneer of success, a few uncertainties are simmering, threatening to overshadow the positive narrative. With the summer approaching, recent public comments from key players suggest troubling signs. The futures of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold are still unclear, with the trio’s contracts all running out in the summer.
So, in the midst of all the uncertainty, GIVEMESPORT have assessed who Liverpool should keep and sell when the summer transfer window opens, and have sorted players into one of six categories. These are:
Must Keep
Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch
These players are indispensable to the way that Liverpool play, and while a small rebuild at Anfield might still be needed to keep the squad fresh, there is no reason whatsoever that any of these should be sacrificed under Slot. Alisson is widely regarded as the best shot-stopper in the league right now, and arguments can also be made that Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all currently the best in their position too.
And then you have two newer signings. Ibrahima Konate has struck up quite a partnership with Van Dijk. The pair are among the best centre-back duos in the league right now, and as he is still only 25, he has the potential to get even better. Mac Allister, meanwhile, has wasted little time in showing off his credentials since sealing a move from Brighton in the summer of 2023.
Ryan Gravenberch, after being pushed to one side last term, also fits this narrative. He’s unveiled a new version of himself this season and is now regarded as one of the very best midfielders in world football.
As for Mohamed Salah, there are still so many superlatives that could be used to describe the Egyptian international. Since the start of this season, his red-hot form, which has seen him directly contribute to 44 goals in 29 Premier League games, has propelled the Reds to the top of the table.
With his contract winding down – but the 32-year-old announcing he is still fully committed to Anfield – it would be stupid for FSG not to keep hold of him. On so many occasions over the last two decades, players have used Liverpool as a stepping stone, but with one of the best players in the world right now wanting to stay, many are calling for Salah to write whatever salary he wants on the dotted line.
Useful to Have in the Squad
Joe Gomez, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Cody Gakpo, Jarell Quansah
Here we have players who are perhaps not as indispensable as the ones in the most elite tier, but ones who are still useful to have around the team. They are still capable players who have roles to play, but they are perhaps not as consistent, not as important, or not as available as the likes of Van Dijk.
Dominik Szoboszlai isn’t as crucial to Liverpool’s dominance in midfield as Mac Allister and Gravenberch, but he’s still a fine player who is improving as every week goes by in the Premier League. The same can be said for Cody Gakpo, with the Dutchman very likely to reach the 10-goal mark for the first time in a Premier League season.
Joe Gomez, Curtis Jones, Jarell Quansah, and Harvey Elliott will be capable options for the new manager through the next season or so, players who can all make an impact from the bench or when key men are out of the starting lineup.
Talented Youngster
Conor Bradley, Stefan Bajcetic, Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon, Jayden Danns, Tyler Morton, Harvey Davies
One of the lasting legacies that Jurgen Klopp left at Anfield is the number of talented youngsters he had given opportunities toduring his spell in the dugout. Alexander-Arnold has become a world-beater under his guidance, and there are several other prodigies waiting in the wings who could become the next big thing for the Reds.
Fans have become very familiar with Conor Bradley over the last couple of seasons, with him having deputised brilliantly in defence in the absence of the established Alexander-Arnold. He could well become a permanent starter if Alexander-Arnold was to depart this summer. Ben Doak, Kaide Gordon and Jayden Danns were all given chances under their departed German coach, namely in that memorable Carabao Cup final against Chelsea.
Stefan Bajcetic unfortunately missed most of last season through injury, suffering a calf muscle problem early in the campaign. But he established himself as one of the most promising young players in the Premier League in 2022/23, and fans will be excited to see what he can do when he returns from a loan spell with Las Palmas this term.
Whether each player will remain at Anfield next season or go out on loan again is anybody’s guess. But Liverpool should not be hasty to cash in on players who could have big futures.
The Jury is Still Out
Federico Chiesa
When Federico Chiesa made the switch from Juventus to Liverpool for a modest £14m, becoming the Reds’ sole immediate signing in the first summer post-Klopp, many hailed it as the steal of the transfer window. The beaming smile he wore while putting pen to paper only heightened the excitement among the Anfield faithful, eager to see the Italian channel his enthusiasm for his new club into impactful displays on the pitch.
Injuries have disrupted Chiesa’s first 6 months on Merseyside, however, leaving him with very limited action to his name so far. If his reputation as an injury-prone asset continues, then you can’t help but feel his future will only become more foggy, and so the jury remains out on whether he can be the Salah understudy everyone hoped he would be.
Listen to Offers
Andrew Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas, Caoimhin Kelleher, Wataru Endo, Vitezslav Jaros, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota
Andrew Robertson, despite being one of the best left-backs in the league, has shown signs that he is starting to decline. The Scotsman, now 31, is past his prime and is not as reliable as he once was. Fans will be forever grateful for what he’s done for the club over the last seven years, but a potential upgrade could be made in his position. As Kostas Tsimikas hasn’t looked like the heir to his throne either, a whole host of changes could be made at left-back should well-priced offers come in.
It’s almost a case of the complete opposite for goalkeeping duo, Caoimhin Kelleher and Vitezslav Jaros. While the former is often cited as the best backup goalkeeper in the world, it finally looks like the Republic of Ireland international will be heading out the door sooner rather than later as he deservedly pursues a role as a number one elsewhere. With Giorgi Mamardashvili joining next summer, too, Kelleher is free to move, and so is Jaros, who most likely won’t be needed.
Wataru Endo may also find himself a casualty of Liverpool’s growing squad depth. While the 32-year-old is a tireless warrior off the bench, doing everything in his power to help his team maintain an edge, the emergence of Gravenberch, Bajcetic, and the possible arrival of a new defensive midfielder could diminish his importance within the squad. It’s not a case of whether he’s good enough to still play for the club, as he definitely is, but it’s one of those where he’s not necessarily needed anymore.
Attacking duo Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz were seen as untouchables during Slot’s first summer transfer window as regular starters under the previous manager. However, both have seemed to decline over the new boss’ debut campaign and haven’t shared enough of the goalscoring burden with Salah. A refresh of the front three could be on the horizon at Anfield
Get Rid
Nobody
After Klopp’s departure, few could have envisioned Liverpool being in the exceptional shape they find themselves in today. Contract renewal concerns aside, the squad is so strong that, at present, there isn’t a single player who appears beyond redemption or without a path back into the team.
This could certainly evolve as Slot continues to work with the current squad and solidify his influence on the lineup. After all, it remains unclear whether his system has been fully implemented yet. However, with just one Premier League loss all season, there’s no reason to even contemplate the departure lounge for any of his players at this stage.
