It’s been a tough season for Liverpool as hopes of a title charge have dwindled to clinging on in the race for Champions League football next term.
Jurgen Klopp’s side sit 10th place in the Premier League table after 20 games and having collected only 29 points.
For many other teams a collapse in form of this magnitude would put pressure on the manager, but given the success Klopp has brought to the club including the Premier League and Champions League titles, he isn’t getting sacked anytime soon.
In fact, backed by the majority of the supporters he is more likely to be trusted with a summer rebuild, where funds could be short given the club’s FSG owners looking to sell.
One way to raise cash to land key transfer targets such as Jude Bellingham could be to sell players so here Sportsmail looks at how Klopp can undergo a rebuild – including being forced to cut some of his biggest success stories.
Jurgen Klopp will be looking to refresh his Liverpool side for a title charge next season
GOALKEEPERS
Alisson – KEEP
It’s an open and shut case about Liverpool’s No 1 keeper. Not only is he one of the best at the club, he is arguably one of the best in the world. At 30 years old he is in his peak years as a stopper and with no sensible alternatives he must stay at Anfield – especially with a long term deal until 2027.
As one of the finest keepers around, Liverpool will have no intention to sell Brazilian Alisson
CAOIMHIN KELLEHER – KEEP
Kelleher ticks all the boxes in his role as Alisson’s understudy. He doesn’t have the Brazilian’s talent but he is still a competent keeper between the sticks and the 24-year-old can largely be relied on given his role. He may be Irish but he also counts as a home grown and that is a major factor to keeping him on board.
ADRIAN – AXE
Has not played all season outside of the Community Shield and at 36 is also hitting the tail end of his career. He is also taking up a home grown spot in the squad due to his Spanish nationality and with his squad status it’s and advancing years its becoming harder to justify. With his contract up in the summer it would be best for both parties to part ways.
DEFENDERS
TRENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD – KEEP
Not had a great season and his poor defensive record has become a stick to constantly poke him with. If Liverpool were bold they could just about muster a reason to cash in on the right-back. But this could be a transitional transfer window for the club, and the 24-year-old’s past form has earned him a chance to prove his poor form could just be down to an ‘off-season’. There are better areas of the squad to focus improvement.
ANDY ROBERTSON – KEEP
Lots of problems at Liverpool – left-back isn’t one of them. Robertson has been essential at the back and going forward for the Reds and at 28 years old with a contract until 2026, there is simply no need to axe one of Klopp’s trusted lieutenants.
VIRGIL VAN DIJK – KEEP
Van Dijk should stay but it’s not one of the easier ‘keeps’ on this list. The Dutchman is still Liverpool’s best defender but he has been starting to struggle with injuries in the latter part of his career and at 31 is now going to start losing transfer market value. His form, while not dreadful, isn’t his best and it could be tempting to cash in now on a plus-£50million while the option is still there. It would though be a big gamble that is perhaps not worth taking.
Virgil van Dijk will be key to helping Liverpool’s defence through a transitional period
IBRAHIMA KONATE – KEEP
Hasn’t seen too much action since signing in the summer of 2021 – but he has been very unfortunate. He struggled to break a very strong defensive pairing of Van Dijk and Matip last term and that’s before you factor in his injuries too. Has looked solid enough when he’s played and deserves a run in the first-team to show his best form after his £31million signing from RB Leipzig.
JOE GOMEZ – KEEP
On form, Gomez has the ability to be a top quality centre-back. Certainly one of the finest in the division and his past record has indicated he is good enough to feature for England too. At 25 years old with a contract until 2027 there is no need nor pressure to sell one of the Reds best defender – and that’s before you factor in his usefulness for home grown quotas.
JOEL MATIP – AXE
Matip has served the club extremely well since joining from Schalke in 2016 but as another defender on the wrong side of 30, it could be to Liverpool’s benefit to now move on the former Cameroon international especially as he is out of contract next year. There is enough cover at the club to ensure it would not be too much of a risky move.
Joel Matip though could be moved on to help raise valuable funds for Liverpool this summer
KONSTANTINOS TSIMIKAS – AXE
A tricky one for Klopp. Tsimikas has largely been a reliable back-up for Robertson but doesn’t quite offer the attacking threat of the Scotland star. Liverpool might feel they can find a better alternative in the summer transfer window for the 26-year-old whose contract expires in 2025. There’s no rush to sell the Greece international but should a high bid of over £20million come in, then it would be one worth considering.
NAT PHILLIPS – AXE
There’s a decent defender here, but the 25-year-old is quite low down the pecking order to the point he has played just 66 minutes of Premier League football this season across two games. He is now starting to not even feature in the matchday squad and with funds to raise he will have interest elsewhere in the top flight and is a strong candidate to move on having already been linked with moves away in January.
SEPP VAN DEN BERG – AXE
Klopp signed the Dutch defender as an exciting 17-year-old prospect to be developed but it hasn’t quite worked out. He was a constant in the Preston defence last term on loan but now at Schalke he has been out since October with torn ankle ligaments. Given the defensive options at the club, and opaque form once he recovers from a serious injury, it’s perhaps time to move him on.
CALVIN RAMSAY – KEEP
Only joined last summer for £4million from Aberdeen and while the right-back has seldom featured he is also still just 19. Will do no harm in the background for now as there is plenty of time to assess his future first-team potential without the need to sell.
RHYS WILLIAMS – AXE
An academy graduate and broke into an injury-hit Liverpool team to feature 19 times during the 2020-21 season. He hasn’t however played for the club since and now out on loan at Blackpool he does not appear to be part of Klopp’s long term plans. A good opportunity to sell for a seven million figure.
MIDFIELDERS
FABINHO – KEEP
This is the major area of the team where Jurgen Klopp must add quality over the summer but one player who should stick around for the rebuild should be the Brazilian. He may not be part of the long term plans as he approaches 30-years-old but he most certainly will be crucial short term, and with a contract until 2026 there is no pressure to sell.
Fabinho could be an ideal choice from Liverpool’s current midfield to stay beyond the summer
HARVEY ELLIOTT – KEEP
Given Elliott’s been ‘on the scene’ since 2018 with plenty of excitement over his future potential, it feels like he has been around forever having joined Liverpool four years ago. Yet he is still just 19 and having seen a large increase in first-team opportunities this term, he looks to be an attacking talent Klopp is banking on.
CURTIS JONES – KEEP
Signed a new contract through to 2027 only as recently as November so either he is part of Klopp’s long term vision or he is looking to be sold for mega bucks. The former looks more likely although he has only played 15 minutes of Premier League football since the World Cup, and his progress overall this term appears to have been stunted. One to cash in on if a dizzying offer arrives in the summer but otherwise – stick around.
NABY KEITA – AXE
Joined Liverpool for £60million in the summer of July from RB Leipzig but never quite lived up to the excitement of his transfer fee. Form was solid enough to not be considered a flop but given he is out of contract this summer it’s becoming increasingly likely he will be moved as part of freshening up the midfield.
Naby Keita is out of contract at Liverpool this summer and his future is looking unclear
FABIO CARVALHO – KEEP
Joined from Fulham in the summer and it’s difficult to see just how the winger’s career will play out. He looks to have plenty of talent but he has been wildly inconsistent and his first-team appearances have become fewer – playing just three minutes in the top flight since October. Either way it’s far too early for the axe and the 20-year-old deserves at least another season to prove his worth.
THIAGO ALCANTARA – AXE
One of the toughest calls to make. There’s no question that on form, Thiago can just about walk into most Premier League teams but he seems to blow hot and cold. Younger legs are needed and at 31 and out of contract next summer, Liverpool may benefit by selling him on. In addition, it will also aid the club’s wage bill given he is reportedly on £200,000 a week.
ALEX-OXLADE CHAMBERLAIN – AXE
An excellent back-up option from the bench to play across the middle. But he is out of contract this summer and given his terrible unfortunate run with injuries and now advancing years as he approaches 30, it’s time for Liverpool to try and get an eight-figure sum for his sale while they still can.
JORDAN HENDERSON – AXE
Another tough call. There’s still a Premier League class footballer in Henderson but it’s probably not at Liverpool anymore. He’s 33 this summer and in a pressing Klopp system doesn’t appear to be able to command a first-team spot these days. There would be no shortage of takers for the midfielder but Klopp needs younger legs. Head must rule over heart for a midfielder whose contributions towards Premier League and Champions League glory will never be forgotten at Anfield.
Jordan Henderson’s advancing years could play against him and his Anfield future
JAMES MILNER – AXE
One of the best free transfers in Premier League history, having played over 300 times for the club since joining from Manchester City in 2015. But even given his under appreciated ability to play just about anywhere on a football pitch to a competent level, he is another of Klopp’s ageing stars and at 37 the end of his top-flight career is nigh. His contract too is up in the summer.
STEFAN BAJCETIC – KEEP
Playing in his debut season and has already gone on to make multiple appearances while also being able to cover at centre-back. While he may be a mix of Serbian and Spanish he can also qualify as part of Liverpool’s home grown quota as he is in place to spend a minimum three years at the club before he turns 21. One for the future.
BOBBY CLARK – KEEP
Still just 17 and given his Reds debut this term with a cameo Premier League appearance against Bournemouth followed up with a start in the League Cup win over Derby. Far too early to judge the midfielder given he has just started his career.
MELKAMU FRAUENDORF – KEEP
In the same boat as Clark, having also appeared in the Derby win. Incredibly versatile across the midfield and attack but also just another teenager at the start of his career.
FORWARDS
MOHAMED SALAH – AXE
Time to cash in while you can. Obviously there is no denying Salah’s quality but have we already seen the best of him at Liverpool? He doesn’t appear to be able to hit the same consistent heights he did playing in a front three with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino. He may still flourish elsewhere and while he only signed a contract extension last summer you could make a case it helped protect his value for a huge sale. With plenty of options to replace him already at the club, his departure could help invest in a brand new midfield.
Mohamed Salah could be an option to sell to raise transfer funds for Liverpool this summer
LUIS DIAZ- KEEP
Only signed just over a year ago and his spell so far has been disrupted by injuries. Nevertheless his appearances have been highly promising and he looks made for Klopp’s system. Needs a run in the first team and it’s going to come sooner rather than later… if he can stay fit. He’s been out with a knee injury since October.
CODY GAKPO – KEEP
He’s only just walked through the door at Anfield after joining from PSV for £44million during the January transfer window. It’s been a slow start with no goals over six games and average performances. But you don’t axe a player based on his first six weeks at a club.
DARWIN NUNEZ – KEEP
Liverpool paid a huge fee for Nunez, which could rise as high as £85million and so far it’s been a disappointing outlay. Klopp’s replacement for the outgoing Mane over the summer, his season has been one of frustration given you could make a highlight reel of the sitters he has missed. But encouragingly he is doing the hard bit of getting into excellent positions. A bit more work on the training ground, more time to settle and a confidence boost could work wonders in terms of his long term Anfield prospects.
Darwin Nunez has had a disappointing season but his best form could still be to come
DIOGO JOTA – KEEP
Jota slotted straight into the Liverpool attack on his arrival from Wolves in 2020, going from a back-up striker to becoming an effective first-team player in place of Roberto Firmino as the goals flowed. But injuries have ruined his progress at Anfield especially this season as hamstring and calf injuries have kept him sidelined. The latter has kept him out since October but given how effective he was in a Klopp system it might be worth to see if he can fully recover before deciding to sell.
ROBERTO FIRMINIO – AXE
A curious feature about Firmino is that he has never scored more than 15 league goals in a season for Liverpool and his strike rate this term of seven from 13 makes it one of his better campaigns. Yet any signs of a second wind to his Anfield career soon took a knock with a calf injury he is yet to recover from and at 31 and with replacements already in maybe now is the time to move on the Brazilian.
LAYTON STEWART – KEEP
Given start against Derby County in the Carabao Cup but hasn’t even been on the bench since. The 20-year-old now needs to kick on but given he is under 21 and not taking up a home grown spot, there is no need to look for offers in the summer.
BEN DOAK – KEEP
There is high hopes that Doak can grow into a first-team player at Liverpool and Klopp has been keen to ease the Scot into the side post World Cup. He’s certainly on the radar at the club and won’t be cut anytime soon.
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