Revealed: Six Liverpool stars who could go and the signings they want

‘The future looks very good,’ said Arne Slot. Whatever thoughts sprang to mind in the aftermath of Liverpool’s defeat by Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday evening, it wasn’t that one.

Earning Champions League qualification as the minimum achievement of a tumultuous campaign will not dictate Slot’s future as manager, it will simply reflect a passable season for Liverpool.

They have lost 17 times this season but there is recognition that just under 12 months on from claiming a Premier League title, Slot and the club have endured a year of unforeseeable ‘madness’, one few rivals could contend with.

From the car that crashed through their title parade and the devastating death of Diogo Jota, the sight of £125million club-record signing Alexander Isak fracturing his ankle and fibula, or Conor Bradley wrenching his knee in the 94th minute at Arsenal, Mo Salah announcing he was to leave and Andy Robertson following.

The collateral damage of those events is still being sorely felt. Now, star striker Hugo Ekitike faces months out with an achilles injury. So when Slot says the future looks good, it surely couldn’t get any worse, could it?

Of course the manager is primarily talking about the potential in which Liverpool have invested in. But again, as part of the model that has served them so well in recent years, they will have to sell to be able to buy and progress. All things considered, Liverpool can’t afford another season like this.

There was a hint of frustration in Slot’s voice after the defeat by PSG that Liverpool were losing Salah and Robertson without a fee – on the back of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s decision to leave last summer. Slot argued this month that the timing of his title win had postponed the inevitable cycle of regeneration for the squad that Jurgen Klopp left behind in 2024.

Many within the game point to other reasons behind this current state of flux. They cite the lack of a proper succession plan when sporting director Michael Edwards first left in 2022. The inexperienced, though highly regarded, Julian Ward stepped up prior to Klopp’s friend Jorg Schmadtke, then lawyer Jonathan Bamber held the fort over contract negotiations.

Liverpool believe it makes sense to pay big wages to reward elite players; Van Dijk and Salah a case in point, while more contentiously, based on his performances this season, Ibrahima Konate will follow suit.

But, as a result, that pressure on finances limits squad depth. As former striker Robbie Fowler underlined post Champions League exit on Tuesday night: ‘The first XI would give anyone a game but it’s that squad depth they lack.’

So where do they find value that they can sacrifice? If they qualify for the Champions League – they remain in a strong position, four points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with six games to go – there is more money available but if it’s the Europa League then the demands on budgeting are all the greater.

What needs to be determined is who else wishes to go?

Question marks remain over goalkeeper Alisson’s durability. Juventus are attentive to a situation where Liverpool must assess a key question: is the Brazilian picking up too many injuries?

Curtis Jones’s desire for more minutes also leaves a door ajar; a door that was knocked on by Inter Milan in January and could be opened if they match Liverpool’s valuation. Tottenham, who are in pole position to sign Robertson if they stay up, also retain an interest in the 25-year-old midfielder.

Liverpool have been putting feelers out in the market for a midfielder. They need more energy and athleticism.

Alexis Mac Allister, so important in Slot’s first season, has dropped off in terms of his performance levels. It comes at a juncture in his contract with two years remaining when talks are anticipated but have yet to take place.

Harvey Elliott also remains an unresolved issue. Aston Villa manager Unai Emery clearly doesn’t want the on-loan midfielder, so there is an opportunity for other Premier League and Bundesliga sides to rekindle their interest.

Joe Gomez has a year left on his contract and has had AC Milan and Crystal Palace calling so could be sold, while Federico Chiesa has been a model of professionalism but used sparingly.

At left back Kostas Tsimikas is expected to back up Milos Kerkez while Jeremy Jacquet’s rehabilitation from a shoulder injury will be closely monitored before he joins from Rennes.

A key and probably most costly addition will be for the wide player that, on paper, replaces Salah. As per their model, Ekitike will not be replaced – he will eventually return – but the absence of his goals will have to be factored in.

‘We are a club in transition,’ admitted Slot. ‘A club always has certain cycles with certain players. A lot of them that were so successful for the club have already left or are leaving. As I said many times, the future looks very good, especially if we can sign players after good players leaving this summer.

‘Unfortunately, that also happens with free transfers, that will happen with Mo, that will happen with Robbo, and that has happened already with Trent… as you know, the club that we are, we need to recoup our money and to spend again.

‘That is the challenge that we had last season, we had to sell 10-11 players to sign five to six.

‘That’s going to be another challenge this summer, because we do have to replace the ones who are leaving. But this club have shown so many times that this model works and with this model we can be successful, and I am also proud to work for this club and work our model.’

Slot has had input into recruitment plans and his words hint he will remain in charge. There are mitigating circumstances but ultimately, what is left of this Liverpool squad may dictate over the final six games whether their manager oversees the next stage of regeneration.