Arne Slot has enjoyed a smooth ride at Anfield since becoming Liverpool boss nine months ago. But the Reds manager is faced with some decisions that may affect his popularity with their passionate supporters. The Dutchman doesn't have much choice in deciding the futures of star trio Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Their concerning contract situation is very much down to the club's stance, right or wrong, to let them run down their respective deals. But Slot may be putting his relationship with the Kop faithful on the line if he decides to get rid of their cult heroes in the summer transfer window.
Reports suggest the Dutchman for a complete overhaul of the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp, with 'several new signings expected', according to Sky Germany. Potential departures may include Caoimhin Kelleher, Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa, and Diogo Jota as Slot looks to raise funds for his Anfield revolution. There is no doubt losing any of those six aforementioned names would be painful for Liverpool, especially if Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold all leave too. On the cusp of the Premier League title, it would take a huge summer spend to replace the quality they offer as squad rotation options.
Elliott scored the precious winner against PSG last week, but the English attacking midfielder hasn't been afforded many first-team opportunities.
There would likely be interest from other Premier League clubs in the 21-year-old. But given that he has been on the fringes for some time and Curtis Jones now enjoys a more prominent role in the team behind Dominik Szoboszlai, it could be time for him to try his hand elsewhere.
Jota is another one to watch. The Portuguese has been in and out of the starting XI - sometimes due to his own injury problems - and the 28-year-old is no longer guaranteed a start. He has Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo ahead of him in the pecking order, and that's not even counting Salah, if the Egyptian heads for the exit.
The writing was already on the wall for Kelleher, who submitted a transfer request last summer only to see his exit blocked. With Alisson Becker recently labelled the 'best goalkeeper in the world' by Slot, the Brazilian isn't about to be dislodged anytime soon and Giorgi Mamardashvili arrives at the end of the season to provide even more competition for the No. 1 goalkeeper gloves.
Endo is poised to exit as the Japanese hasn't started a single Premier League game this term and has only been used as a safety barrier for the defence when protecting a lead late on in games. Likewise, Chiesa simply hasn't played anywhere near enough for the Merseyside club and the Italy international risks losing his spot in Luciano Spalletti's squad unless he seeks a move away.
The ugly truth is that Liverpool can afford to lose the likes of Jota, Chiesa and Endo, with replacements at the ready. Elliott and Kelleher, though, could easily go on to impress elsewhere in the Premier League if sold - but it appears the 46-year-old is ready to make some tough calls to mark his stamp on the team.