A number of Liverpool players could be on the move this summer
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Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool and the rest of the Liverpool players during the Liverpool Premier League Champions parade
Arne Slot head coach of Liverpool and the rest of the Liverpool players during the Liverpool Premier League Champions parade
(Image: 2025 Liverpool FC)
Trent Alexander-Arnold made his final appearance as a Liverpool player on Sunday, but he will not be the only player leaving the Reds this summer. The England international came on at half-time as Arne Slot’s side finished the campaign with a 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace, before being presented with the Premier League trophy.
Afforded a hero’s reception, Alexander-Arnold was at the heart of the celebrations at Anfield on a day to remember for Liverpool.
But he was also spotted in tears on more than one occasion, including during the open top bus parade through the city the following day, as his Reds career came to an end.
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The 26-year-old is now set to join Real Madrid on a Bosman transfer, having decided against signing a new contract with his boyhood club.
Liverpool have already moved quickly to sign a replacement for Alexander-Arnold as they look to finalise the signing of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, having agreed to pay his £29m release clause.
They are also in talks with the Bundesliga outfit regarding a potential £126m club-record deal for Florian Wirtz, and are interested in signing Milos Kerkez from AFC Bournemouth.
Consequently, it is set to be a busy start to the transfer window for the Reds.
While Alexander-Arnold’s Anfield exit is confirmed, a number of his soon-to-be former team-mates face uncertain futures at Liverpool. And three of them hinted that their Reds careers could be coming to an end following the final whistle against Crystal Palace.
Caoimhin Kelleher, who it has since emerged is attracting interest from Brentford and a number of other sides, sent the most emphatic exit message when he was interviewed by Optus Sport after the final whistle.
The Irishman reiterated his desire to become a number one, and is likely to be granted a move this summer.
“I think I’ve said it before that I feel like I’m a number one,” he said on the Anfield pitch. “And I think I’m good enough to play week-in, week-out. And that’s what I’m looking to do, obviously.
“This season I was lucky enough to play a lot of games but yeah, definitely something I am looking at.”
Andy Robertson would drop a more subtle hint about his own future when speaking to Match of the Day. The Scotland international is about to enter the final year of his contract and is well-aware that Liverpool are looking to sign a new left-back this summer with the £40m-rated Kerkez their leading target.
Alluding to such transfer plans, the 31-year-old seemingly suggested that he might have to consider his position.
“Obviously, the club are going to have a busy summer, so we need to see where everyone stands,” Robertson said. “But it’s been a special time here, I loved my time here.
“It’s been eight special years, and I’ve cherished every moment I’ve played in front of these fans, especially at Anfield. Today was special.”
Elsewhere, Harvey Elliott was seen in tears on the pitch, embracing his father, after Liverpool’s draw with Crystal Palace.
The midfielder would later share the image on Instagram along with a number of other pictures from the day, as he wrote: “Memories for life! Thank you reds.”
He would later post again after the club’s open top bus parade, this time writing: “This club. These fans. This city, forever in my heart. Thank you for another incredible experience.”
The 22-year-old has been limited to a bit-part role this season, starting only twice in the Premier League, and has previously admitted he might have to consider his position in the summer.
With Liverpool looking to sign Wirtz, the England Under-21s’ international would face even more intense competition for places if he stays put.
The sight of him crying on the pitch along with his messages on Instagram have led supporters to speculate that Elliott suspects he might leave his boyhood club this summer.
Supporters also had a similar theory regarding Kostas Tsimikas following his own social media post reflecting on Liverpool’s Premier League title triumph.
Like Robertson, the Greek’s place is at threat with the Reds looking to sign a new left-back.
Alongside a picture of the full-back admiring the trophy, he wrote: “As a kid kicking a ball in Greece, I could never imagine this day – lifting the Premier League trophy as a Liverpool FC player.
“Five years at this club have taught me what it means to never walk alone: this city, this team, and these fans carried us through every step.
“I’m overwhelmed with pride in what we’ve achieved and gratitude for everyone who stood by us. We overcame every challenge together. Greek Scouser’s heart is forever with Liverpool.”
It won't go unnoticed that the players seemingly hinted at Anfield exits this summer are ones playing in positions that the Reds are already moving to strengthen.
A £29m deal for Giorgi Mamardashvili was agreed with Valencia last summer, freeing up Kelleher to depart, while Wirtz will likely limit Elliott's game-time.
Meanwhile, any move for Kerkez would signal a potential change in the left-back pecking order at Anfield, with it likely that either Robertson or Tsimikas would have to make way. Elsewhere, Frimpong is being signed to replace Alexander-Arnold.
Beyond the quartet, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota, Jarell Quansah and Tyler Morton continue to be linked with moves away while Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz’s own futures are also the subject of scrutiny amid their current contract situations at Anfield.
Slot admitted after the draw with Palace that he needs to hold talks with a number of Liverpool’s players to find out their future plans, aware some of them will not be happy with another year on the fringes.
“If we need to strengthen the team, we will,” he said. “Because I don't know yet if all the players who didn't play that much this season will all want to stay, yes or no. This is something we will find out in the upcoming weeks.”
While exciting supporters might be fully focused on Liverpool’s incomings this summer, starting with Frimpong and Wirtz in particular, it would be no surprise if the exit door is even busier.
And with a number of players hinting at exits or privately considering their futures, a number of difficult decisions will be made in the weeks ahead.