Less than 12 months after Liverpool saw their quadruple hopes go up in smoke, Jurgen Klopp’s squad is fighting for a place in next year’s Champions League. However, whether they make the top 4 or not, big changes are coming to Anfield.
A midfield overhaul at Anfield is being considered, and several quality names have begun to come into Liverpool’s sights, including Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern Munich. However, it’s not just about recruiting new players, as Klopp and the Anfield leadership want to offload some faces this summer.
Klopp is preparing a makeover of Liverpool’s squad in the summer as the club bids farewell to many players. It’s no surprise that Klopp wants to rebuild the midfield, with most of the names that are said to be leaving Anfield playing in that position. Arthur Melo has had no impact since his loan signing last summer and is set to return to Juventus.
Other midfielders, including Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, are also set to leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of this season. Both have been plagued by injuries and were previously linked with transfer moves in January.
The situation with James Milner is even clearer, as Fabrizio Romano has ‘here we go’ that he will move to Brighton this summer. The 37-year-old is also in the last year of his contract, and Klopp has previously said that Milner is looking to seek a career elsewhere.
Last but not least, Roberto Firmino has confirmed that he will move to a new team as his personal contract will expire in a few weeks. Firmino has scored over 100 goals for The Kop since joining the club from Hoffenheim 8 years ago, but he has not been used much in recent times. The Brazilian striker will leave on a free transfer, and Barcelona wants to sign him.
A host of other players, including defenders Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams, could also be sold in the summer to fund Klopp’s ambitious rebuilding plan, despite nothing specific being confirmed. Summer 2022 signing Fabio Carvalho may also consider his future after only playing once in the Premier League since the start of the year.
Thus, looking at the current situation, Liverpool may list about 8 names to leave once the summer 2023 transfer window opens. Most of the departing stars will leave for free, meaning the club won’t make much money from them, but it will help to thin out the squad at the club.