While Trent Alexander-Arnold's name is dominating the news at the moment, it's important to remember that he's not the only Liverpool player expected to leave this summer.
Though Arne Slot's side are heading toward the Premier League title, there's little question that the Reds need to make a series of changes to challenge across the biggest fronts in the years to come.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot
There aren't many Redmen who need to leave this summer, but you'd have to say that Darwin Nunez is one of them.
Darwin Nunez has reached the end
When Nunez arrived at Liverpool in the balmy summer of 2022, anticipation was rife. Nearly three years on, there's an overwhelming sense of resignation as Nunez reaches the end of his time at Anfield.
Liverpool Darwin Nunez
Across 136 appearances, the 25-year-old has scored 40 goals and provided 24 assists, which isn't a bad tally unto itself, but when considering £85m was forked out for Nunez's signature, it makes for grim reading.
Moreover, he's missed 53 big chances in the Premier League since his debut, a staggering number, made worse by the fact he's only bagged 25 goals in the division, as per Sofascore.
Having come close to leaving for Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in January, the £140k-per-week striker's day may be done sooner rather than later, especially with Liverpool getting ready to sign a new number nine.
Nunez's day is done, sadly. However, he's not the only member of Slot's frontline who's in the firing line this summer.
Slot must cash in on struggling Liverpool star
As Liverpool settle into the Slot era, it's time for changes to be made. Federico Chiesa is the only player to be welcomed through Anfield's gates so far, and he was a cut-price, low-risk addition at that.
Darwin Nunez warming up for Liverpool-1
Nunez has been reduced to a bit-part role this year and patently needs a change of scenery to scramble back into the limelight, but he's not the only one toiling.
Indeed, Mohamed Salah can only carry so much, and Diogo Jota's long-standing injury issues appear to have finally caught up with him, for he has endured a torrid run of form over the past several months.
Liverpool striker Diogo Jota
The Portugal international, 28, is typically an elite-standard marksman, breathtaking in the consistency of his finishing. But his skill has deserted him. In fact, Jota has gone 11 matches in all competitions without scoring a single goal.
Below, take a look at Liverpool's highest earners in a table which excludes the 'big three' who are all out of contract this summer.
Liverpool - Top Earners 2024/25*
Rank
1.
2.
2=
2=
2=
6.
6=
*Excluding Salah, Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold
Data via Capology
Nestled at the bottom, Jota and Nunez. The former has been a staple of Liverpool's journey over the past several years, signing from Wolverhampton Wanderers for £45m in 2020, right after Premier League and Champions League titles had been conquered.
Earning £140k per week, Jota has actually raked in over £30m - and cost £75m in total - since joining Liverpool and while he's deserved his pay packet, it's not exactly small. If he can no longer produce the goods to his former level, it becomes unjustifiable.
Indeed, Sky Germany reported at the start of the month that Jota has been made expendable by FSG, joining Nunez on that list. BBC Sport analyst Raj Chohan has acknowledged Jota has a "deadly" strike, but that it has sadly abandoned him right now.
Liverpool's Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota look dejected after the match
Though it seems improbable that Liverpool will make sweeping changes across the frontline, selling Nunez and Jota would free up ample room for investment, perhaps freshening the ranks with two additions who could fire Slot's project even further into the ascendancy.
Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez Related
[Better than Kerkez: Liverpool join the race for "world-class" £50m LB](https://www.footballfancast.com/liverpool-make-first-move-for-andrea-cambiaso-instead-of-milos-kerkez/ "Better than Kerkez: Liverpool join the race for "world-class" £50m LB")
Liverpool are ready to spend big in the transfer market this summer.