As the summer transfer window edges ever closer, decisions must be made on who stays and goes at Liverpool.
Five first-team players are approaching the end of their current contracts and will depart on free transfers unless new deals can be agreed. Roberto Firmino's future has already been decided, though whether Adrian, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita stay is not yet certain.
Out of those four individuals, Milner is the most likely to be offered an extension as the Reds aim to continue utilising the senior experience offered by the 37-year-old.
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Sharing their thoughts on who Liverpool should look to keep hold of or let go, four supporters have shared their views as part of a weekly ECHO fan column.
Rhys Buchanan (city centre, @Rhys_Buchanan) - Managerial role could be the way forward for Milner
If last summer didn’t mark the end of an era for the Liverpool team, who’d won every trophy there is to win, this summer most certainly will. Cards have to be shuffled and tough decisions have to be made, even if they’re obvious ones.
You could almost hear the sighs and groans of Liverpool fans across the world when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaced James Milner as our Champions League campaign was on its last legs. Perhaps the fact Naby Keita wasn’t even thought of told us just about everything we need to know.
I’ve always tried to see the positives around the likes of Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita, even this season at times, but we need to accept it’s not going to work and they need to seek pastures new.
I’d love to see James Milner step into the managerial role he’s been touted for endlessly. In a season when belief and form has been dwindling, we could use the guidance of an elite professional and ultimate role model who rarely does any wrong.
Andrew Cullen (Widnes, @brothersred5) - Keita cannot be considered a success as likely exit looms
The focus this season has been on which players Liverpool need to bring in, rather than on those who need to go out.
Naby Keita’s time at Liverpool appears to be drawing to a close. He was described by Klopp as the 'complete midfielder', but we have rarely seen the dynamic, complete player we were promised. He simply hasn’t reached the heights he did for RB Leipzig. When we look at his appearances, goals and assists for Liverpool (129 /11/ 6), they are not impressive.
Some fans would point to his injury record to explain this underwhelming return. His underwhelming contribution seems to me more due to his incompatibility with the intensity of the Premier League than it is due to his injuries. The signing of Keita, for a sizeable sum I hasten to add, will remain a curious case. If Keita is to leave this summer as part of Klopp’s spring-cleaning plans, his time at Liverpool will have ended not with a bang, but instead a whimper.
David Shams (Washington D.C., @ShamsWriter) - Writing on the wall for Adrian
Adrian, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and Naby Keita are all out of contract in the summer. While the focus has certainly been on which midfielders to bring in during the summer, what’s to be done about the aforementioned Reds?
I like the idea of keeping James Milner around the club, even if not as a player. Anyone who has seen him on the sidelines coaching and guiding players through matches understands the value his insights bring to the club. Those in positions of power should be doing everything to keep him around in any capacity.
Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita came to the club with so much promise, but injuries and circumstance stymied their potential. Despite some very fine performances by both, their time in Liverpool is quickly running out. Both need matches and they’re simply not going to get them next season.
The cold calculus is much the same for Adrian. Even if Kelleher leaves, there's every chance Marcelo Pitaluga fills in as back-up to leave the Spaniard as third choice: a role he fits rather well. The squad must be strengthened this summer and that often comes through subtraction as well as addition.
James Noble (Worcestershire, @james_noble98) - Right time for Oxlade-Chamberlain departure
Discussing footballers we’ve become familiar with, and fond of, leaving can be tricky. It is necessary and potentially mutually beneficial part of the game.
Naby Keïta, in my opinion, is one who should depart this summer. After five seasons where good moments have been punctuated by injuries and inconsistencies, the 28-year-old appears to be dropping down the pecking order. A move, therefore, looks likely and feels the best option for all.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is another for whom a transfer appears sensible. He is positionally flexible and, like Keïta, offers unique attributes. At 29, though, he should be playing regularly, and that looks increasingly unlikely at Liverpool.
James Milner, meanwhile, is someone I feel should stay. His minutes will likely be reduced, but the 37-year-old can play several positions as a starter or substitute and is a valuable culture-setter. Considering there may be several incomings, his presence could be helpful.
Adrían appears an interesting call. In many ways, it feels a natural time for him to leave. However, if Caoimhín Kelleher departs, having another senior goalkeeper to help the likes of Harvey Davies and Marcelo Pitaluga become Alisson Becker’s immediate understudy may be sensible.
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