Liverpool have 11 players whose contracts are set to expire within the next 12 months, with Anfield sources robustly dismissing exit links for captain Virgil van Dijk
Paul Gorst Liverpool FC correspondent
09:48, 05 Jul 2026
Virgil van Dijk has remained at Liverpool since signing for the club in January 2018
Virgil van Dijk has remained at Liverpool since signing for the club in January 2018(Image: Shaun Brooks - CameraSport via Getty Images)
At the start of July, no fewer than 11 Liverpool players entered the final year of their respective contracts. For much of the past decade, club owners Fenway Sports Group have been comfortable allowing players in their 30s to depart on a free transfer upon the expiry of their deals.
The prevailing thinking behind closed doors has been that certain squad members offer greater value during their final 12 months than if sold at a knockdown price, which would leave a vacancy requiring costly reinforcement.
This approach has certainly been applied to the likes of James Milner, Roberto Firmino and Gini Wijnaldum, while Andy Robertson became the latest to follow suit by departing at the end of last season alongside Mohamed Salah, whose contract was effectively terminated by mutual consent with a year still remaining.
However, losing Ibrahima Konaté as a free agent at just 27 falls well outside that model, and there was considerable dismay behind the scenes that the new Real Madrid signing was unable to reach an agreement on fresh terms despite nearly two years of negotiations, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Trent Alexander-Arnold technically departed for a fee of around $13 million back in June 2025, though the Real Madrid right-back would equally have walked away for nothing had a deal not been struck to fast-track his move to the Spanish capital, enabling him to participate in that month's Club World Cup.
Allowing players in their 20s to leave on a free is not considered acceptable practice at Anfield, even if the club adopt a more lenient stance regarding those aged over 30. With nearly a dozen players entering the final stages of their contracts, what does the year ahead hold for Liverpool?
Curtis Jones faces an uncertain future as he enters the last year of his deal. The midfielder had attracted interest from Italian giants Inter, but their bid fell short of the $29.4 million mark last month, with the Reds holding out for closer to $46.8 million.
Curtis Jones of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool at Villa Park
Curtis Jones has been linked with a move away from Liverpool this summer(Image: (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images))
Liverpool would ideally retain Jones and resume negotiations with his representatives, yet no talks are currently scheduled, and it remains to be seen whether new head coach Andoni Iraola can guarantee the kind of playing time that might prompt a change of heart within the player's camp.
Nottingham Forest have been linked with Jones following their $155 million windfall from selling Elliot Anderson to Manchester City. Liverpool, however, will not be prepared to let Jones leave on the cheap, given the significant capital injection Forest received from that substantial fee for Anderson.
Virgil van Dijk turns 35 this month and is now in the second half of a two-year extension he signed in April of last year. The Reds captain featured for every single minute of Premier League action last season and remains a pivotal figure both on and off the pitch.
Reports linking him to AC Milan and Fenerbahçe have been firmly dismissed by sources at Anfield, with the club fully intending to have their long-serving skipper as part of their plans for the coming season. He will undoubtedly serve as a key confidant for new boss Iraola.
Alisson Becker had attracted significant attention from Juventus, with the Brazil No. 1 open to departing after eight years between the sticks on Merseyside.
Nevertheless, Alisson is anticipated to remain at the club before reassessing his situation in 2027. The highly-regarded shot-stopper had the 12-month extension clause in his contract activated in March, affording Liverpool additional time and flexibility to determine their strategy for the No.1 role.
Speaking in May following the 1-1 draw with Chelsea, Joe Gomez, the longest-serving Reds player since arriving at the club in 2015, admitted uncertainty over his own prospects.
"I don't know [what is next] is the honest answer," Gomez said. "I've only got a year left on my contract, so I don't know. Whatever's meant to be will be, but I'm so grateful to have had this time here at this club.
Joe Gomez was noncommittal about his future at the club
Joe Gomez was noncommittal about his future at the club(Image: Getty Images)
"I always will be grateful to have had 11 years at a place like this. All I can do is be thankful and we'll see."
Gomez may attract interest from rival clubs, having previously featured in discussions between Liverpool and AC Milan last summer, as well as Newcastle United in 2024.
The London-born defender came close to exiting Anfield on transfer deadline day last year but remained at the club after a proposed deal for Marc Guehi, then at Crystal Palace, collapsed at the final moment when the Eagles were unable to secure a replacement for the England centre-back. At present, though, he remains the sole experienced option at centre-back following Konaté's departure.
Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni will offer competition this campaign but at 20 and 19 years old respectively at the time of writing, Gomez may be required to remain for the time being.
Wataru Endo has reached the final 12 months of his four-year contract signed when he arrived from Stuttgart in summer 2023 for $21 million.
The Japanese midfielder has claimed on social media that he has retired from international football, which could help extend his club career, though he has seldom been a regular starter during his spell on Merseyside.
He might be considered a disposable asset this summer but, at 33 years of age, the versatile Endo could also be regarded as someone capable of providing cover, especially at centre-back, and the possibility of him departing next summer on a free transfer appears likely at this juncture.
Harvey Elliott is arguably the most fascinating of the 11 players whose deals run out next year. The midfielder scarcely appeared for Aston Villa throughout his season-long loan stint, due primarily to their unwillingness to make the arrangement permanent at $46.8 million while they remained conscious of their PSR circumstances.
Elliott was sought after by RB Leipzig last summer but Liverpool were demanding nearer to $66.9 million at the time for someone who shone for England's Under-21s as they claimed the European Championship. Lack of game time at Villa Park is unlikely to have enhanced his market value, though there remains a possibility that Elliott could find his way back into the first-team picture this summer under fresh management with different perspectives. The pre-season schedule will prove crucial in determining his future.
Harvey Elliott's career stalled while he was at Aston Villa last season
Harvey Elliott's career stalled while he was at Aston Villa last season(Image: 2026 Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA)
Regarding the other five...
Freddie Woodman: The third-choice goalkeeper was called upon in late April following injuries to Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili and acquitted himself well. He's well-liked within the club and could be handed a new contract to assist with home-grown player requirements.
Kostas Tsimikas: Will head back to Liverpool to provide backup for Milos Kerkez, though permanent approaches are expected to be considered after six years at the club. Calvin Ramsay: Four years into his Anfield career and first-team involvement remains elusive.
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Another loan spell appears probable this summer, though the club will undoubtedly entertain any permanent bids. Stefan Bajcetic: A pivotal summer awaits a player who hasn't featured in a first-team match for the Reds since 2023.
Loan stints at Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas have yielded mixed results. Simply needs to regain fitness before any decisions are made.
Harvey Davies: The young goalkeeper may depart given the depth in that position.