Liverpool have 10 first-team players whose contracts are set to expire next summer, putting the club at risk of losing them without a transfer fee.
Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez, Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk celebrate
Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk could all leave for free. (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool are facing some major concerns over the next 12 months if they do not get the contracts of multiple senior players clarified. Not a new issue at Anfield, having watched the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Roberto Firmino leave for next to nothing in recent years, more players could leave in a similar fashion.
For players of such calibre, Liverpool should have secured transfer fees of over £100million. Now, history may well be repeating itself as new head coach Andoni Iraola has been tasked with galvanising a group of players with uncertain futures for his first season in charge.
Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Bajcetic, Calvin Ramsay and Harvey Davies might be experiencing their final season at Anfield.
Reds captain Van Dijk will turn 36 years old a week after his contract expires next June, but remains an enormously influential figure at the club. Van Dijk played the most minutes in Europe last season and it remains uncertain whether he'll be offered an extension on his £350,000-a-week deal.
He is a prime target for MLS outfit Chicago Fire, who recently completed the capture of Robert Lewandowski.
It appeared for a period that Liverpool supporters may have been bidding farewell to Alisson, with the Brazilian shot-stopper attracting attention from Juventus.
However, the 33-year-old chose to honour the final year of his Liverpool contract and could pursue a return to Serie A next summer, or see out the latter stages of his career at boyhood club Internacional.
Jones' prospects have been a recurring subject of debate this summer, with Inter Milan maintaining a persistent interest in the 25-year-old. Having seen a £21m offer turned down for the midfielder, the Serie A champions have approached the Reds regarding a £30m deal.
Fellow midfielder Elliott has come back to Anfield following a dismal loan stint at Aston Villa last season. The 23-year-old has been handed the chance to impress Iraola this summer, with Liverpool's limited options in midfield and attack potentially offering the 23-year-old the opportunity to rebuild his standing within the squad.
Alisson Becker of Liverpool embracing Harvey Elliott of Liverpool at the end of the Premier League match between Crystal Palace
Alisson Becker and Harvey Elliott are out of contract next year. (Image: Getty Images)
Approaching his 12th campaign as a Liverpool player, Gomez stands as the club's longest-serving member of the squad. The 28-year-old's persistent fitness problems have prevented him from being a dependable option, and he is now set to miss the season's opening fixtures after sustaining a muscle problem in the Reds' first pre-season match against Sunderland.
The following summer could mark the moment when Gomez and the club go their separate ways.
Tsimikas will resume his previous position as deputy left-back this term behind Milos Kerkez, following a disappointing season-long spell at Roma.
The Greek international, 30, admitted he's "really happy" to be back on Merseyside and is expected to be afforded significant chances to prolong his stay at Liverpool, with the club involved in four competitions.
Midfield duo Endo and Bajcetic are both battling for their Liverpool futures this season. The Japan skipper has proved a useful squad option since his 2023 arrival, yet managed only eight league appearances during the 25/26 season.
The lack of a defensive shield in Iraola's midfield could present an opening for Endo - and Bajcetic - to work their way into the Spaniard's thinking. Bajcetic hasn't featured for the club since May 2024, with injury woes and stints at Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas stalling his development at Anfield.
The 21-year-old returned to pre-season training but is yet to feature in any friendly fixtures. Ramsay marked his 23rd birthday last week and has made several appearances throughout the tour.
Liverpool's mounting problems at right-back, with Conor Bradley sidelined and Jeremie Frimpong proving susceptible to injury, could hand the Scotsman a long-awaited chance to nail down the position.
Goalkeeper Davies has yet to make a senior appearance for Liverpool but is expected to stay at the club until January.
Armin Pecsi's loan departure to TSV, combined with Vitezslav Jaros' ongoing recovery from a knee injury, means the 22-year-old's place at the club appears secure, at least for the time being.