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Liverpool lets under-contract defender leave on free transfer as deal explained

Another Liverpool player is set to follow Mohamed Salah and Ibrahima Konate in leaving Anfield for free this summer, despite still being under contract with the club

12:21, 16 Jun 2026

CHESTERFIELD, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 11: Rhys Williams, Carter Pinnington, Tommy Pilling, Josh Sonni-Lambie and Kaide Gordon of Liverpool react in the penalty shoot out during the Vertu Trophy Group Stage match between Chesterfield and Liverpool U21 at SMH Group Stadium on November 11, 2025 in Chesterfield, England. (Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images)

Carter Pinnington looks set to leave Liverpool for free despite being under contract(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool is set to let another of its players leave for free this summer, despite the talented star in question still being under contract at Anfield.

The Reds have already confirmed 12 players will be leaving the club before preparations get underway for the 2026/27 season as their contracts expire. Among them are Mohamed Salah - who has reached an agreement for the final year of his deal to be waived - Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate.

A number of the club’s academy players will also be bidding farewell, including Oakley Cannonier and James Balagizi. Another young star looks set to take that tally to 13, despite his contract not expiring yet.

Carter Pinnington is set to join Championship side West Brom this summer, with the Daily Mail explaining that the 19-year-old will be allowed to leave without a transfer fee.

Instead, the deal will be structured with appearance-based add-ons and a sell-on clause included. Crystal Palace is also said to have been keen on the defender, who was named on the bench to face the Eagles in the Carabao Cup back in October.

Liverpool will be losing a versatile option in Pinnington, who is capable of playing at full-back and holding midfield as well as his usual position at center-back.

KIRKBY, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 26: Carter Pinnington of Liverpool looks on as the team warms up prior to the UEFA Youth League 2025/26 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and PSV Eindhoven at Liverpool FC Academy on November 26, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Annabel Lee-Ellis/Getty Images)

Carter Pinnington is set to leave Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

The teenager has not made a senior appearance for the Reds, although he has been a regular feature in the club’s U21s, while representing England at U15, U16 and U18 levels.

While Liverpool has confirmed a raft of departures for the summer, fans look set for a longer wait for any new signings.

According to The Athletic, there is an acceptance internally at Anfield that business is more likely to happen later in the transfer window, due to the World Cup and Andoni Iraola’s desire to asses the squad he’s inherited.

Speaking after his appointment was confirmed, Iraola said: "We've analyzed Liverpool a lot – possible weaknesses, the strengths.

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“I think we have a very good squad. I think there is still work to do, like normally in every club in this moment of the season.

"But right now, for me, the thing is to value especially the players that we have right now in the squad.

"For me, and I will tell them, [they] are all new signings. For me, you are all new signings, and I think we have a lot of quality in our squad, and really looking forward to working with them.

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"I only had, I think, Milos [Kerkez] in the squad before – I know a couple. I've been talking to a couple before, but it will be lovely also to play again with Milos, try to improve him, try to help him in his development. Yeah, definitely looking forward to it."

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