Liverpool have 10 first-team players whose contracts are set to expire next summer, with the club at serious risk of losing them on free transfers
Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez, Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk celebrate
Virgil van Dijk could leave Liverpool next summer(Image: Getty Images)
Despite Liverpool's remarkable achievements in recent years, the club's inability to secure transfer fees for key players remains a significant vulnerability. Admittedly, the Reds have also demonstrated astute business acumen in player departures, generating $47 million from Jarell Quansah's sale and $33 million from Ben Gannon-Doak's transfer as just two instances.
Nevertheless, this cannot mask the setback of allowing Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konaté and Andy Robertson to depart the club last summer without receiving any compensation. The same applies to Roberto Firmino's departure in 2023 and even Emre Can's free move to Juventus in 2018.
The club secured only the $13 million sum from Trent Alexander-Arnold's transfer to Real Madrid because the Spanish club desired his services earlier for the Club World Cup. Liverpool potentially forfeited upwards of $134 million across those transactions, and the situation appears to be repeating itself with 10 first-team squad members currently poised to leave without a fee next summer, unless contract renewals are agreed.
Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Bajčetić, Calvin Ramsay and Harvey Davies may well be experiencing their final campaign at Anfield, reports the Liverpool Echo.
The Reds captain Van Dijk will reach 36 years of age a week following his contract's expiry next June, yet he continues to be an enormously influential presence at the club. Van Dijk accumulated the highest number of minutes across Europe last season and uncertainty persists over whether he'll receive an extension to his £350,000-per-week terms.
Chicago Fire, the MLS outfit who recently pulled off the capture of Robert Lewandowski, have identified him as a prime target. For a period, it seemed as though Liverpool supporters may have been bracing themselves to bid 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 may look to engineer a return to Serie A next summer, or alternatively see out the latter stages of his career at boyhood club Internacional.
Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brentford at Anfield on May 24, 2026 in Liverpool, England
Virgil van Dijk is entering into the last year of his Liverpool contract(Image: Photo by Jack Thomas/Getty Images)
The future of Curtis Jones has dominated transfer discussions throughout the summer, with Inter Milan maintaining a persistent pursuit of the 25 year old. Having already seen a $28 million offer knocked back for the midfielder, the Serie A champions have since tabled a $40.3 million approach to the Reds, according to the ECHO.
Fellow midfielder Harvey Elliott has arrived back at Anfield following a torrid loan stint at Aston Villa last season. The 23 year old has been handed the chance to win over Andoni Iraola this summer, with Liverpool's limited options in both midfield and attack potentially providing the perfect platform for the youngster to resurrect his place in the side.
Approaching his 12th campaign as a Liverpool player, Joe Gomez holds the distinction of being the squad's longest-serving member. The 28-year-old's persistent fitness problems have prevented him from being a dependable option and he's poised to be unavailable for the season's opening fixtures following a muscle problem sustained during the Reds' initial pre-season fixture against Sunderland.
The coming summer could mark the moment when Gomez and the club go their separate ways, though a return to Anfield will be arranged for his testimonial match. Kostas Tsimikas will resume his previous position as deputy left-back this campaign to Milos Kerkez following an unimpressive season-long spell at Roma.
The Greek international, 30, acknowledged he's "really happy" to be back on Merseyside and will probably be afforded plenty of chances to prolong his stay at Liverpool, with the club involved in four competitions.
Midfield duo Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic are both battling for their Liverpool futures this term. The Japan skipper has proved a useful squad option since arriving in 2023, but managed only eight league outings in the 25/26 season.
The lack of a defensive anchor 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 setbacks and stints at Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas hampering the development of his career at Anfield.
Wataru Endo
Wataru Endo could leave Liverpool for nothing before long
Having returned to pre-season training, the 21 year old has yet to feature in any friendly fixtures. Calvin Ramsay marked his 23rd birthday last week and has made several appearances throughout the tour.
Liverpool's mounting crisis at right-back, with Conor Bradley sidelined and Jeremie Frimpong's persistent injury concerns, could finally hand the Scottish defender the opportunity he has long been waiting for to claim the position as his own. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Harvey Davies, yet to make a senior appearance for the Reds, is anticipated to remain at Anfield until January, per The Athletic.
With Armin Pecsi departing on loan to TSV and Vitezslav Jaros continuing his rehabilitation from a knee injury, the 22-year-old's place at the club appears secure, at least for the time being.