Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Darren Wells

Where every Liverpool player stands ahead of summer transfer window

Liverpool have plenty on their plate as they continue to fight on all fronts for an illustrious quadruple before they can even consider what will be happening at Anfield in the summer.

With an action-packed April ahead, which could determine their fate in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup, Jurgen Klopp's side could be in store for a historic year like no other. However, in spite of that, behind the scenes thoughts will be turning to what kind of business the club will be doing to prepare the squad for another crack at silverware in the 2022/23 campaign.

Contract discussions have dominated the Liverpool discourse over recent months, with some key decisions and a period of significant transition looming large. But where does that leave each member of their current crop?

Here Mirror Football has run the rule over every player in Klopp's squad and where they stand ahead of the summer transfer window.

Alisson - First choice

Liverpool's certified No.1 and arguably the world's best goalkeeper, Alisson still has plenty of years ahead of him and is now part of the fabric of a team that will go down in club folklore.

The Brazilian missed out on Liverpool's recent Carabao Cup triumph in favour of Caoimhin Kelleher - who had played in every round prior, but Klopp made it clear it would not be a decision he will be repeating in other competitions by selecting Alisson in the FA Cup quarter-final win over Nottingham Forest.

Caoimhin Kelleher - Going nowhere

Caoimhin Kelleher has cemented his place as Liverpool's No.2 (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Now recognised as the primary back-up to Alisson, Kelleher has cemented his place in the Liverpool squad and took a big step in his long-term future with his Carabao Cup final exploits. Speaking about the Irishman days later, Klopp said: "“For young goalkeepers it’s of course about development, and Caoimhin developed here incredibly well.

“There’s absolutely no intention to sell him or something like that or give him a loan. Not at all. He has here a long-term contract and we have a long-term plan with him, but of course we want to help the boy as well become the best version of himself. That’s what we did so far and that’s what we will continue to do as well."

Other notable mentions include Adrian and Loris Karius, who are both out of contract this summer. Karius is heading for the exit and Adrian could well follow, handing a possible opportunity to youngster Marcelo Pitaluga to fill the third goalkeeper spot next season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - First choice

One of the best performers in the Liverpool side this season, Alexander-Arnold looks a shoe-in to be included in the team of the season and his worth to his club cannot be understated. Expected to become a future club captain, it's almost unfathomable that he'll be departing Anfield anytime soon, if ever.

Andy Robertson - First choice

Similar to his fellow full-back Alexander-Arnold, Robertson remains a key figure at Liverpool and it seems difficult to imagine him playing anywhere else. Still only 28, the Scot has nailed down the left-back spot, though Kostas Tsimikas is now providing some strong competition.

Virgil van Dijk - First choice

Has bounced back from his injury problems to retain his status as the world's leading centre-back. Looks immovable from the Reds' back line and could take on a more influential role in the years to come as Jordan Henderson and James Milner play less pivotal parts.

Joel Matip - First choice

Joel Matip as been rock solid next to Virgil van Dijk in defence this season (Getty Images)

Shaken off his own injury woes to become a vital member of Klopp's side. Matip has been exceptional this season - and needed to be, given the fierce competition for places in defence. His Premier League player of the month award for February spoke volumes about his contribution to the title chasers.

There is always the fear another injury could be around the corner, but Klopp has managed the 30-year-old well to keep him fit for the duration of the campaign thus far.

Ibrahima Konate - Going nowhere

Has found his path to the first team blocked by Matip's quality, but Konate has still managed to rack up a number of appearances with Klopp rotating him regularly. Seems to have jumped ahead of Gomez as the next in line in the centre-back pecking order.

Klopp tends to blood his new signings in slowly, putting Konate in a strong position for next season, and with both van Dijk and Matip into their 30s, he might not have too much longer to wait to be a mainstay in the side.

Joe Gomez - Considering his options

Joe Gomez got a rare outing in the FA Cup but needs assurances over his long-term future (NurPhoto/PA Images)

Produced a firm reminder of his talents deputising at right-back in the win against Forest, but Gomez's chances are likely to be limited from here on in providing Alexander-Arnold makes a swift return from injury, given he is fourth choice for his favoured centre-back role, putting the England international at a potential crossroads.

Klopp won't want to see him go, and Gomez is still considered a big part of Liverpool's future, with rotten luck with injuries hampering his time on Merseyside. But at 24, and with just one Premier League start to his name this season, he may feel it's time to test himself elsewhere with regular football, especially with a World Cup on the horizon.

Kostas Tsimikas - Going nowhere

Faces the unenviable task of dislodging Robertson from his starting berth, but the Greek full-back has certainly got closer this season. Has made an impact in a number of fixtures this campaign, including an assist on his latest outing vs Forest, and Liverpool fans are no longer anxious when Robertson is unavailable.

Tsimikas is a popular member of the squad too, and will fancy his chances of eventually replacing his teammate in the years to come with age on his side.

Neco Williams - Up for sale

Neco Williams is performing well out on loan but his future looks away from Anfield (PA)

Thriving out on loan at Fulham, Williams is showcasing his talent now he's finally getting regular playing time under his belt. His path to the first team at Liverpool though is blocked by Alexander-Arnold - and the reality is it will stay that way for the foreseeable.

Promotion with Fulham could give him the ideal opportunity for another loan to get a taste of the top-flight, which seems the next logical step, but Liverpool would likely be open to offers for the Welshman if they received a tempting bid. Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams are both in a similar scenario, with Liverpool open to offers for both - preferably on a permanent basis.

Fabinho, Thiago - First choice

Klopp has finally been able to select the midfield pairing he has craved since Thiago's arrival last summer, and Thiago is beginning to truly find his feet in English football. The former Bayern Munich man was unfortunate to miss out on the Carabao Cup final due to a last-minute injury, but he'll be confident of playing a part in landing more trophies, alongside Fabinho who is virtually irreplaceable.

Jordan Henderson - First choice

Still a crucial cog in the Reds' midfield - for now - but there is no hiding that there is less of a reliance on Liverpool's captain, who turns 32 in the summer. Henderson has found himself on the bench for some big fixtures this season, and it looks like he could be slowly phased out as Liverpool's youngsters are ushered in to replace him.

James Milner - Out of contract

James Milner has been offered a one-year contract extension (REUTERS)

The veteran of the team but still going strong, it is testament to Milner's ever-enduring athleticism that he is still part of the picture at Anfield at the age of 36. His versatility remains an invaluable asset, along with his leadership skills behind the scenes.

Liverpool have offered him a new one-year extension to continue his journey at the club and with 30 appearances to his name this season he is still seeing enough game time to consider staying on. However the ball remains firmly in Milner's court and whether he fancies a final swansong elsewhere. "There is no chance Milly will retire next year, he is desperate to play on and I understand," Klopp said last month, but stopped short of suggesting that would definitely be at Liverpool.

"Life after your career, when you are lucky enough to stay healthy, is much longer than your career so you usually extend your career as long as you can if you can play football," he added. "I think Milly will be fine after his career as well but he obviously loves what he is doing and he will play football next year, definitely."

Naby Keita - Up for sale

Let's face it, four years on from Keita's arrival on Merseyside and it's safe to say the transfer hasn't really worked out as hoped. Injuries have played a big part in that, but Keita has failed to cement his place in Klopp's side and has now been overtaken by the club's promising youngsters.

Neither Klopp nor Liverpool will want to give up on a player who cost a small fortune, but a sizeable offer could convince them to cut their losses on someone who only looks likely to be a squad player going forward.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Up for sale

A move away from Liverpool for Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would benefit all parties (NurPhoto/PA Images)

Similarly to Keita, Oxlade-Chamberlain's difficult injury record has blighted his involvement at Liverpool and it's sad to accept that his best days at the club are probably behind him. Chances have been few and far between this season and, with others ahead of him, now could be the right time to seek pastures new.

Despite chipping in with a couple of goals of late, his most recent showing against Forest did little to suggest he should be playing a more pivotal role and a move elsewhere could be right for all parties to breathe fresh life into Oxlade-Chamberlain's career.

Curtis Jones - Going nowhere

It probably hasn't been quite the kick-on campaign Jones will have hoped for but he's still shown some flashes of brilliance - his four assists against Porto in the Champions League group stage chief among them. He's highly thought of at Liverpool, though Klopp has already served the 21-year-old a warning he needs to find some consistency if he is to hold down a regular starting berth.

Speaking in January, Klopp said: “I had a long talk last week with Curtis, ­because I love the boy and I love the potential he has. But we have to now really make the next steps and make sure that he fulfils the potential he has on the pitch.

“You have these kinds of conversations when you are not 100 percent happy with the moment. He’s young – very young – but from what I see his ­potential is just incredible. So we have to find a way to show that much more often."

Harvey Elliott - First choice

Harvey Elliott looks set for a long and bright future at Liverpool (Kieran McManus/REX/Shutterstock)

In contrast to his fellow academy graduate, Elliott has emerged as an important player for his side this season - even after suffering a horror ankle injury. His impressive attitude to his swift recovery has to be commended, and he looks the most likely of Liverpool's options to slot into the midfield three on a regular basis moving forward, and for years to come.

Takumi Minamino - Up for sale

Klopp has reiterated on various occasions that Minamino remains a long-term project at Liverpool, though time is starting to run out for him to make the desired impact. It's not inconceivable that he'll still be at Anfield for the start of next season, but more likely that the club will offer him out to any willing bidders this summer.

Luis Diaz - First choice

While it's perhaps a little early to stick Diaz's name down in the 'first choice' category, judging by his start at Anfield it certainly won't be long till he's a permanent fixture in the starting XI - and it could possibly be as soon as this summer depending on whether any of the Reds' forwards move on.

Diaz's arrival signalled a clear intent from the club to accelerate the transition of replacing their front three, so we could be seeing a lot more of the Colombian in the starting XI next term.

Mohamed Salah - First choice

Mo Salah is still in a contract stand-off with Liverpool and neither party appears to be budging (Ian Stephen/ProSports/REX/Shutterstock)

Liverpool want Salah to sign a new deal. Salah wants to sign a new deal. The problem is, they've not agreed on one yet, and the clock is ticking. The board have shown they are not willing to bow to the demands of any individual player - no matter if he's one of the best players in world football at present.

At some stage something will have to give, but Liverpool look prepared to call Salah's bluff, even if it means potentially losing him for nothing next year.

Divock Origi - Out of contract

Liverpool's cult hero has made memories that will live long beyond the day he departs Anfield, which, after a number of transfer windows in limbo, finally looks to be this summer. Origi's contract is due to expire in June, with the only caveat being an automatic extension dependent on appearances. Given he is yet to start once in the Premier League this season though, it's hard to see that coming to fruition.

AC Milan are reported to be the frontrunners for his signature, which could suit Origi down to the ground after seeing the success of recent Premier League imports in Serie A. And he will bid farewell to Merseyside knowing those Champions League moments against Barcelona and Tottenham will forever be cherished.

Diogo Jota - First choice

The Portuguese forward has gone from strength to strength since his surprise switch from Wolves and still doesn't appear to have hit his ceiling. Joint second-top goalscorer in the Premier League this season - behind only Salah - Jota's name is now among the first on the teamsheet. He looks set for a big future at Liverpool.

Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino - Up for sale

Roberto Firmino could be offloaded this summer if Liverpool receive a tempting offer (REUTERS)

Perish the thought that either Mane or Firmino's time in a Liverpool shirt will soon be coming to an end - but it's now a realistic prospect ahead of a crucial summer. Both players are into their 30s and will enter the final 12 months of their respective deals from July.

Liverpool have been in talks with both stars over extensions but they are not likely to be on particularly favourable terms to players who have served the club with distinction. The progress of Diaz and Jota has also raised the question as to whether either Mane or Firmino would be in Klopp's preferred XI next season.

Klopp certainly wouldn't want to lose both, but if Liverpool are to receive a significant fee for either player, this summer would be the time to do it, and there would be no shortage of takers.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
From analysis to the latest developments in health, read the most diverse news in one place.
Already a member? Sign in here
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.