Liverpool’s 2024/25 season will mark the beginning of a new era in the club’s storied history.
Michael Edwards is back and he’s brought Richard Hughes with him, but Jurgen Klopp is leaving and some star names may follow him out the exit door.
So who should still be wearing red come the end of the summer transfer window? It’s time for an audit.
GK: Alisson – Let me be clear with you. If Liverpool consider getting rid of Alisson on a footballing level, it’s because FSG’s analytics have predicted the end of the world is nearing and they are trying to make a quick buck while they can.
GK: Caoimhin Kelleher – Klopp recently boasted that he has the best goalkeeper and best backup goalkeeper in the world. If the Irishman wants to leave in search of more opportunities, that’s his business, but Liverpool shouldn’t be forcing him out.
DEF: Trent Alexander-Arnold – It was only a matter of time before Real Madrid’s links to Reece James cooled and focus was instead placed on Alexander-Arnold. Liverpool need to do everything they can to ensure he signs a new deal beyond 2025.
DEF: Joe Gomez – If Gomez let another season just pass him by, he’d definitely be on the transfer list, but he’s proven an extremely useful utility player and the Reds can’t afford to let him go.
DEF: Conor Bradley – Northern Ireland’s next great hope has been strutting his stuff at Anfield. Here’s to many more years.
DEF: Virgil van Dijk – The leader on the pitch and in the dressing room. Whoever the new manager is will likely want to put their own stamp on things, but will need all the help they can get from the current cohort of motivational figures.
DEF: Ibrahima Konate – If Konate could stay fit, he’d be widely seen as one of the Premier League’s best defenders. Alas, he cannot, but that doesn’t mean Liverpool should sell.
DEF: Jarell Quansah – Assuming whatever manager comes in has better luck with injuries next season, Quansah will see his game time reduced, but he’ll make for a fine backup option.
DEF: Andrew Robertson – A dislocated shoulder has disrupted much of the Scot’s season. He’ll be itching to go again next year.
DEF: Kostas Tsimikas – One of the finest backup left-backs around. No need to shift him on, particularly after signing a new contract.
MID: Wataru Endo – Klopp may have joked Liverpool were ‘lucky’ to have missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia to Chelsea in order to sign Endo, but boy was he actually right.
MID: Alexis Mac Allister – Come into his own during the second half of the season. A jack-of-all-trades midfielder ready to be moulded by the next manager.
MID: Ryan Gravenberch – Similarly multitalented, but hasn’t put it all together yet for Liverpool. Needs some consistency in his career again after playing for three clubs in the last three years.
MID: Dominik Szoboszlai – Cooled down after his hot start to life at Anfield, but that needn’t be a long-term concern. A fine midfielder with the makings and raw talent of a modern great.
MID: Stefan Bajcetic – Liverpool fans were excited about the Spaniard’s development at the back-end of last season before injury curtailed his progress. Once fit again, he should be battling with Endo for the number six spot.
MID: Curtis Jones – Another youngster whose only flaw is his fitness record. You just can’t quit on Jones if you’re Liverpool.
MID: Harvey Elliott – The only natural backup to Salah in the current squad. Liverpool’s next boss will have a lot of fun tools to work with.
FWD: Mohamed Salah – This comes from a caveat. If a club from the Saudi Pro League make a nine-figure offer for Salah, then Liverpool should definitely consider cashing in. But like some other players, they shouldn’t be actively looking to sell.
FWD: Luis Diaz – Again, if Liverpool receive a big-money bid, yeah, probably sell Diaz. Don’t just stick him on the transfer list for no reason, though.
FWD: Darwin Nunez – On the new manager’s first day of training, they will be mesmerised by Nunez. Not saying whether that’s a good or bad thing.
FWD: Diogo Jota – You can’t count on Jota’s fitness, but you can count on him to pop up with important goals at important times at a few points every season.
MID: Tyler Morton – A fine loan at Hull City has served Morton well. Liverpool should look for a Premier League destination for him next year.
MID: Bobby Clark – All of Liverpool’s youngsters who have risen to prominence in the second half of the season need more senior minutes and to play adult football.
MID: James McConnell – Like Clark, McConnell looked a calm head during February’s Carabao Cup final win against Chelsea.
FWD: Ben Doak – The young winger was afforded opportunities in the Europa League in the autumn before injury ended his campaign. He’s got bundles of ability but will need to showcase it every week.
FWD: Lewis Koumas – One goal in one game for Liverpool so far. Jason’s son should look to preserve that record for a while and head out on loan.
FWD: Jayden Danns – The most impressive of this young cohort, making himself a real nuisance in his limited cup showings. He’s ready to play with adults.
DEF: Calvin Ramsay – The emergence of Bradley has probably made you forget about Ramsay. If Liverpool need another right-back (for whatever reason), they should just sign another and allow the Scot to continue his career elsewhere.
DEF: Sepp van den Berg – Three loan spells later and Van den Berg still isn’t anywhere near ready for first-team minutes at Liverpool. Time to cut ties.
DEF: Nat Phillips – Thanks for the lockdown season memories and that one skill at San Siro, Nat, but it’s time to go. For good, this time.
DEF: Rhys Williams – Thanks for the lesser lockdown season memories and no skills at San Siro, Rhys, but it’s time to go.
MID: Fabio Carvalho – Liverpool’s handling of Carvalho has been strange from the start. They were meant to sign him in January 2022, then didn’t. They got him in the summer of 2023, but he barely played. He was loaned to RB Leipzig, but was a backup there and is now at Hull. Just sell the poor lad and let him grow at another club.
FWD: Cody Gakpo – This is not reactionary to his dreadful showing against Manchester United, believe me. Gakpo is essentially Liverpool’s version of Kai Havertz but without the benefits that the German brings to Arsenal. There aren’t many sellable assets the Reds should be looking to move on this summer, but the Dutchman is one of them.
GK: Adrian – One of Liverpool’s greatest ‘vibesmen’ ever. Thanks for your service.
DEF: Joel Matip – Liverpool haven’t missed much of a beat at the back with Matip out injured this year. Go and get that one last big contract, mate, you’ve earned it.
MID: Thiago Alcantara – Get ready for a boatload of ‘was Thiago a success at Liverpool?’ think-pieces this summer, because I can tell you right now they are coming.
