The Reds may be riding high at the top of the Premier League but several big names are facing uncertain futures at Anfield…
These are strange days at Anfield. Premier League play will resume next week after the pause for the international break with Liverpool 12 points clear at the top of the table in Arne Slot's first season in charge – and yet a lot of fans are furious right now following reliable reports that Trent Alexander-Arnold is finalising a free transfer to Real Madrid.
Plenty of supporters are upset with the player but a significant amount of anger is being directed at the club for allowing Alexander-Arnold to enter the final few months of his contract, meaning a multi-million-pound asset is going to be lost for nothing. The right-back is obviously not an isolated case either, as Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will also be out of contract in a matter of months.
Consequently, there's a very real chance that a title-winning team will have to be significantly overhauled this summer, as signings would have been required anyway, with Liverpool's lack of strength in depth having been once again exposed while trying to compete on four fronts. Of course, given the parsimonious/prudent way that Fenway Sports Group (FSG) runs the club, making money from departures will be integral to the arrival of new players.
With that in mind, GOAL has decided to run through every member of the Liverpool squad to have made at least one Premier League appearance this season to see whether they should be kept or allowed to follow Alexander-Arnold out of the exit door at Anfield this summer…
AFPAlisson Becker
As he proved with his Champions League first-leg heroics against Paris Saint-Germain, Alisson Becker is still the best goalkeeper in the world – and that's no bad thing. However, the Brazilian's enduring excellence does leave Liverpool in a bit of a pickle. Giorgi Mamardashvili will arrive at Anfield from Valencia this summer and reportedly has no intention of serving as an understudy. Going straight into the starting line-up may be wishful thinking on the Georgian's part, given his form this season, but one cannot help but wonder if the Reds intend to cash in on the injury-prone Alisson, who attracted serious attention from Saudi Arabia last summer, even though the 32-year-old is playing as well as ever.
Verdict: Keep – unless a massive offer is received
AdvertisementGetty Images SportConor Bradley
Bradley is the obvious candidate to fill the massive void Alexander-Arnold is going to leave behind at right-back. The Irishman underlined his world-class potential with a stirring showing against Real Madrid in the group stage of this season's Champions League and he's undeniably a better one-v-one defender than Alexander-Arnold. So, while there are still some minor concerns over Bradley's ability to stay fit for an entire campaign, he'll have an important role to play next season – either as a starter or an excellent understudy to a likely new arrival.
Verdict: Keep
Getty ImagesFederico Chiesa
Slot has rarely put a foot wrong since taking on the seemingly impossible task of replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield but his treatment of Chiesa has been utterly bizarre. The Italian obviously arrived at Anfield in poor shape, as he'd been frozen out of Juventus' pre-season plans by then-coach Thiago Motta, and he suffered from several niggles during the first half of the season – which has been pretty much the story of Chiesa's career. However, Slot's reluctance to give him any meaningful game time – most notably in the second leg of the PSG tie – made little sense, and was only made to look all the more ridiculous by his late goal in the Carabao Cup final. Chiesa clearly isn't finished at the highest level but his spell at Liverpool will be brought to a premature conclusion unless he's guaranteed more game time next year.
Verdict: Sell if Slot is not going to play him
Getty Images SportLuis Diaz
The Colombian is a curious case. Liverpool wanted more goals from Diaz this season and he's got nine so far, meaning this is already the most prolific campaign of his Anfield career. However, Diaz's end product continues to frustrate, while he also remains maddeningly inconsistent. He's still the best dribbler at the club and has demonstrated a useful ability to play through the middle this year but Cody Gakpo has emerged as a better option on the left wing and the feeling is that if a big offer were to arrive this summer (most likely from long-time admirers Barcelona), then Liverpool would accept it.
Verdict: Sell – but only if the price is right