Liverpool will see Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and possibly even goalkeeper Alisson depart the club this summer.
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah (L) and Liverpool's Scottish defender #26 Andrew Robertson (R) applaud fans on the pitch after the English FA Cup fifth round football match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Liverpool at the Molineux stadium in Wolverhampton, central England on March 6, 2026. Liverpool won the game 3-1. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will both leave Liverpool at the end of the season (Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
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Liverpool's final match of the season at home to Brentford will be an emotional occassion, but few will shed any tears over bringing this campaign to a close.
An alarming 11 Premier League defeats and 18 in all competitions (19 if you want to include the Community Shield penalty shoot-out loss) have resulted in a poor title defence and a trophyless season that has produced more questions than answers regarding the Reds' direction of travel.
Regardless of what happens next, Sunday, May 24, marks the end of the road at Anfield for Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.
There is little to say about the duo that hasn't already been said, but what cannot be disputed is that they both leave as Liverpool legends, and the team is poorer for their absence.
There are also significant rumblings that suggest goalkeeper Alisson Becker - arguably the Reds' best No. 1 since Ray Clemence - could also be on his way this summer, with Juventus strongly linked with the Brazilian.
Replacing top professionals in their 30s is just part of the football lifecycle and such changes were always going to happen at one point. The bigger issue I see for Liverpool, however, is the natural leaders they are losing this summer as a consequence.
Robertson is the club's vice-captain and captain of Scotland. Salah, one of Liverpool's greatest players of all time, is a key part of the leadership team and captain of Egypt.
Alisson has been a leader of the Anfield rearguard for years and is such a dependable figure. He has also previously captained the Brazil national team. It is easy to replace these stars with younger players, but it is not so straightforward to replace the valuable character qualities that have consistently delivered success that is still expected from an evolving team today.
The Reds spent a club record £446m last summer and haven't seen much of a return on their heavy investment so far. Can they go out and do that again? It doesn't seem likely. Instead, a more measured approach to signings in the main seems likely, with perhaps one or two big-ticket acquisitions to show that the soon-to-be-dethroned Premier League champions still mean business.
But signing talent alone will not be enough. Liverpool must bring in leaders and born-winners with the mentality befitting of a club that is expected to compete on all fronts.
That might mean looking at slightly older players or ones who are Premier League proven. Here are a few possible targets who I think have the right mentality to take the Reds forward next season.
Jarrod Bowen
At 29, Bowen does not fit into FSG's standard profile for a new signing, but there are other factors to bring into play. The pending departure of Salah leaves Liverpool with a huge hole to fill and it may take more than one player to do it. Like Robertson, Bowen impressed with Hull City before moving on to bigger things.
In December 2023, Jurgen Klopp described Bowen as "probably my favourite player besides my players. It's just great what he's doing and how he develops."
Loved at West Ham, he has 10 goals and 11 assists to his name this season in a campaign that could end in relegation for the Hammers. But during troubled times, he has demonstrated precisely the type of leadership skills that Liverpool are lacking and is in and around Thomas Tuchel's England set-up.
Should Nuno Espirito Santo's team drop into the Championship, Bowen is likely to be available for a cut-price fee that might make too much sense to ignore.
Elliot Anderson
Anthony Gordon's potential transfer to Liverpool never came to pass in 2024 after Newcastle United solved their PRS problems by offloading Anderson to Nottingham Forest. What a mistake that was by the Magpies.
Since then, Anderson has developed into one of the finest midfielders in the country and is a shoo-in for this summer's England World Cup squad.
The 23-year-old can bring a level of steel and authority to the Liverpool engine room that has been notably missing all season, but he won't come cheap.
Reports have suggested that Forest would want around £120m to let their star man leave the City Ground and if the Reds are serious about adding some much-needed grit to their midfield, they will likely have to make him the marquee signing of the summer. He will be in hot demand and Liverpool must show that they mean business.
Adam Wharton
Another top midfield target and one who has been linked with a move to the Reds this summer. The Crystal Palace star is not quite as all-action as Anderson at Forest, but is a technically gifted, tidy footballer who can read the game superbly and would make a huge difference to how Liverpool build their attacks with his high-quality passing range.
Not every leader needs to be a captain. Wharton can simply lead by example.
Under contract at Selhurst Park until 2029, he could cost around £80m if the Reds were to do business, so it is probably a case of either/or with him and Anderson.
Neco Williams
I've already made the case for bringing Williams back home to Liverpool thanks to the usefulness of his versatility on both flanks. I also genuinely believe that he can challenge for a regular start in either full-back position. Alongside Anderson, he has enjoyed a stand-out season with Forest and recently captained the side against Newcastle.
With a first-rate attitude and bags full of energy, the Welshman could form an important part of Liverpool's new heartbeat.
The Reds reportedly pocketed about £17m when they sold him to Forest, but as he is under contract until 2029 they would probably have to pay more than that to bring him back.
John McGinn
This one is admittedly a bit of a curveball. At 31, McGinn is only five months younger than the departing Robertson and Liverpool are not going to sign him. But he has been fantastic for Aston Villa this season and whenever called upon by Unai Emery has led from the front.
Recently, he got a huge return on his selfless efforts by firing the two goals that have sent Villa to the Europa League final and by this time next week, he could have lifted the trophy.
The chances of the Reds completing a transfer for a veteran like McGinn are low, but can they find a forward player who shares similar qualities?
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