Liverpool are in a tense race to secure Champions League football next season, and failing to do so could cause some of Arne Slot’s best players to doubt their future.
The pinnacle of competition for professional footballers is Tuesdays and Wednesdays, facing off against Europe’s best teams.
Liverpool’s top five hopes are very much alive, level on points with Chelsea and three back from Man United.
Konate earns £70,000-a-week, Liverpool surely need to make a big offer for him to stay?!
Ibrahima Konate during Burnley v Liverpool - Premier League
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There is, however, a real chance that the Reds miss out. If that were to happen, some of the brightest talents at Anfield might just reconsider their situation.
It’s worth noting that all players are in contract, and such a decision can’t be made by themselves.
But as we saw with Alexander Isak’s Liverpool transfer saga, there are ways to push for an exit.
If the opportunity to play against the best isn’t there next season, it could cause some discontent.
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Florian Wirtz is one of the most exciting young talents in Europe, and the definition of a Champions League player. We know Bayern are still desperate for him to return to Germany, and seeing Liverpool struggle might cause him to reconsider his decision.
The Reds would be in a strong position to block any move given the years left on his deal, but that’s exactly how Newcastle felt with Isak.
Another candidate is Dominik Szoboszlai. He has had a breakout season and is entering conversations about the best midfielders in the world.
Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring for Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round match against Brighton & Hove Albion at Anfield.
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The reason his departure is more likely is that Szoboszlai’s Liverpool contract will have just two years left. If Real Madrid come calling, FSG will panic. We saw what happened with Trent Alexander-Arnold, and what might still happen with Ibrahima Konate.
Should Szoboszlai express his desire to leave, Liverpool may feel pressured to sell, so as not to lose out on the massive valuation attached to the Hungarian.
Lastly, Alexis Mac Allister is a potential departure regardless of how Liverpool fare this season. He may well push for that exit when faced with the prospect of Thursday nights at Anfield. He will also have just two years remaining on his deal at the end of the season.
Mac Allister won’t go to Man United, but interest from Madrid (of course) could pose a problem for Liverpool.
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Alexis Mac Allister Liverpool transfer rumour
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You might think these players wouldn’t leave, or that they wouldn’t be let leave, but the financial impact of missing qualification paired with some contract uncertainty make it a real possibility.
Wirtz and Szoboszlai would be especially devastating departures, and you would hope they are bought into the project regardless of what night of the week they play in Europe, but the player power movement is real.
The easiest way to dispel these concerns is obvious — finish in the top five.
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