Liverpool will need to rebuild its roster in the summer, and Jürgen Klopp will be in charge of the process. Things must be extremely different in 2023/24
It is obvious that Liverpool needs to rebuild. But what precisely does that entail? Jürgen Klopp and the next sporting director will have a lot of decisions to make.
Liverpool.com has examined the roster to see what changes could be made and which players should continue at Anfield for the rest of the season, regardless of what happens this season.
Defense
There are no doubts about Alisson Becker’s future at the back, but Caoimhin Kelleher is approaching the age when he might want to play more minutes, and Adrián is out of contract. This implies that a number two may be required.
The full-back positions should be settled across the back four. Calvin Ramsay’s role at Anfield will expand in his second season, as it did with Kostas Tsimikas when he joined.
However, Goal claimed this week that Jol Matip might depart for the right offer and would need to be replaced at center-back. There are also legitimate concerns regarding Joe Gomez.
Nat Phillips should finally be let go, as his long-term future has been evident for some time. It is surprising that no Premier League club has pushed harder for him in recent transfer windows.
Alisson, Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Ramsay, Van Dijk, and Matip should all be at Liverpool next season (unless a decent offer arrives) Tsimikas, Konaté, Gomez, Robertson.
A replacement second-choice goalkeeper and possibly a center-back are possible transfer needs.
Midfield
This should be the place with the most turnover. Naby Keta, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner all have expiring contracts and could leave the club. After a string of disappointing performances, Fabinho’s future is also in doubt.
Summer goals look to be Jude Bellingham and Matheus Nunes, but further reinforcements may be required. Stefan Bajeti has a bright future ahead of him, and Tyler Morton has shone on loan at Blackburn, while Jordan Henderson, Thiago Alcântara, and Curtis Jones will remain. Arthur Melo, on the other hand, will not.
Much of the debate about how many players Liverpool needs in the center of the field will revolve around how Harvey Elliott is perceived (as a midfielder or an attacker) and whether the budget allows for significant investment on top of Bellingham and other recruits.
Fabinho, Thiago, Henderson, Jones, and Bajeti should all be at Liverpool next season (and possibly Morton)
Transfer requirements: At least two midfielders, with Bellingham and Nunes potentially available for about $193 million (£160 million/€178 million) if Liverpool wins the contest.
Attack
Roberto Firmino is out of contract, but his representative indicated last week that an announcement on his future would be forthcoming. If he goes, he must be replaced with a younger player with a better recent injury history.
Luis Daz and Diogo Jota will return after long-term injuries, while Mohamed Salah and Darwin Nez will remain. Cody Gakpo will have had a few months to adjust, although in a chaotic environment.
Youngsters like Ben Doak and Kaide Gordon will be hoping to make the next step, although they may be better served moving out on loan to gain regular senior action.
If Klopp intends to play with three senior attackers at any given time, five senior attackers are sufficient, but if he wants to move toward a four-man forward line, another will be required, and Jota’s injury record is not spotless — he missed a significant portion of last season and has done so again this season.
Daz, Salah, Jota, Nez, and Gakpo should all be back at Liverpool next season.
Possible transfer requirements: A replacement for Firmino, which might necessitate as many as six additions, which will not be cheap, especially when four stars could depart for free.
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