Liverpool could be entering familiar territory in the near future if they repeat past mistakes
Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez, Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk celebrate
Liverpool are at risk of losing numerous stars as free agents (Image: Getty Images)
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For all the success Liverpool have achieved in recent years, failing to earn a transfer fee for star players has been a point of weakness. Granted, the Reds have also been shrewd operators when it comes to player sales, having earned £35million for Jarell Quansah and £25m for Ben Gannon-Doak as just two examples.
However, that doesn't diminish the failure that resulted in Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson being allowed to leave the club this past summer for nothing. The same goes for Roberto Firmino's exit in 2023 and even Emre Can's free transfer to Juventus in 2018.
The club only earned the £10m fee from Trent Alexander-Arnold's sale to Real Madrid due to the Spanish giants wanting him to join earlier for the Club World Cup.
Liverpool likely left over £100m on the table in those deals, and history may be repeating itself with 10 first-team players currently set to leave for free next summer, should a contract extension not be signed.
Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Bajcetic, Calvin Ramsay and Harvey Davies could be playing their last season at Anfield.
Reds skipper Van Dijk will turn 36 years old a week after his contract expires next June, but remains a hugely important figure at the club. Van Dijk played the most minutes in Europe last season and it remains to unclear whether he'll be offered an extension on his £350,000-a-week deal.
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He's a key target for MLS side Chicago Fire, who recently secured the signing of Robert Lewandowski. It did appear for a time that Liverpool fans may have said goodbye to Alisson, with the Brazilian goalkeeper subject to interest from Juventus.
However, the 33-year-old opted to see out the last year of his Liverpool contract and could seek a return to Serie A next summer or spend the twilight years of his career with boyhood club Internacional.
Alisson Becker of Liverpool embracing Harvey Elliott of Liverpool at the end of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool FC at Selhurst Park
Alisson Becker and Harvey Elliott have less than a year left on their contracts (Image: Getty Images)
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Curtis Jones' future has been a constant talking point this summer as Inter Milan have consistently pursued a deal for the 25-year-old. After having a £21m bid rejected for the midfielder, the Serie A champions have contacted the Reds over a £30m deal, as reported by the ECHO.
Fellow midfielder Harvey Elliott has returned to Anfield after a nightmare loan spell at Aston Villa last season. The 23-year-old has been given an opportunity to impress Andoni Iraola this summer, as the Reds' lack of depth in midfield and attack could give the 23-year-old the chance to re-establish himself in the squad.
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Set to enter his 12th season as a Liverpool player, Joe Gomez is the club's longest-serving player in the team. The 28-year-old's consistent injury issues have meant he hasn't been able to be relied upon and is set to miss the start of the season after suffering a muscle injury in the Reds' first pre-season match against Sunderland.
Next summer could be the time when Gomez and the club part ways, but a return to Anfield will be scheduled for his testimonial. Kostas Tsimikas will take up his prior role of backup left-back this season to Milos Kerkez after an underwhelming season-long loan at Roma.
The Greek international, 30, admitted he's "really happy" to be back on Merseyside and will likely be given ample opportunity to extend his time at Liverpool, with the club competing in four competitions.
Wataru Endo and Kostas Tsimikas
Wataru Endo and Kostas Tsimikas are also set to leave next year unless they ink an extension (Image: Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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Midfield pair Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic are both fighting for their Liverpool futures this season. The Japan captain has been a valuable squad member since signing in 2023, but made just eight league appearances in the 25/26 campaign.
The absence of a defensive anchor in Iraola's midfield could offer the opportunity for Endo - and Bajcetic - to wade their way into the Spaniard's plans. Bajcetic hasn't played for the club since May 2024, with injury nightmares and spells at Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas halting the progression of his career at Anfield.
The 21-year-old returned to training during pre-season but has yet to be involved in a friendly match. Calvin Ramsay celebrated his 23rd birthday last week and has featured several times during the tour.
The Reds' crisis at right-back, with Conor Bradley out of action and Jeremie Frimpong being injury-prone, could land the Scotsman a long-awaited opportunity to snatch up the position. Goalkeeper Harvey Davies is yet to make a senior appearance for Liverpool but is expected to remain at the club until January, according to The Athletic.
The loan departure of Armin Pecsi to TSV and Vitezslav Jaros' continuing recovery from a knee injury mean the 22-year-old's future at the club could be secure, for now.