Arne Slot Richard Hughes Liverpool 2024-25
© IMAGO - Arne Slot Richard Hughes Liverpool 2024-25
Liverpool have several players with uncertain futures right now but one key star is expected to stay.
Liverpool could have a dramatically different squad next season. Half the squad has a question mark hanging over their head once this season is done and the Reds could see many favourites depart.
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The biggest ones are obvious. Mo Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk are all out of contract in the summer.
It's not clear if any will stay - in fact, it now feels likely that at least one will leave. But they're not even the only ones.
Alisson Becker has plenty of interest from Saudi Arabia, while Ibrahima Konate enters the final year of his own contract. Anfield Watch understands there's interest from Paris Saint-Germain there.
Caoimhin Kelleher also enters the final year of his contract - and he's wanted to leave for at least a year now. Expect some movement there.
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Liverpool also plan on an overhaul of their attacking line, as reported by Anfield Watch. That could see several stars leave the club as Arne Slot gets players better suited to his system.
But despite all of that, at least one player thought to be on the chopping block will reportedly stay.
Wataru Endo's future
Wataru Endo arrived as a last-ditch attempt from Liverpool to fix their defensive midfield problem. It was a staggering success, with Endo quickly becoming an important player under Jurgen Klopp.
However, he hasn't had the same success under Slot. Endo started 20 Premier League matches in his debut campaign but this time around he's started zero.
In fact, he's only played 135 minutes in the top flight - or the equivalent of one and a half matches.
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That naturally creates speculation that Liverpool will move him on. After all, they're barely playing Endo.
Yet he's somehow managed to make himself a key part of the team. Slot has found that bringing the midfielder on towards the end of games is a brilliant way to kill off opposition attacks and retain a lead.
Liverpool's recent wins over Wolves, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Paris Saint-Germain all saw Slot throw Endo on for at least the last 10 minutes. Every time, the sub killed the game and secured the win.
So that'll be why Francois Plateau reports that Endo is now expected to remain at Anfield beyond this season. Despite rumours that Liverpool would sell, they want to hold onto him.
That role is becoming more and more vital and it could truly be the difference between winning trophies or not over the coming months. It may have taken a while but it's safe to say that Slot has finally seen Endo's value.
Long may it continue.
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