Virgil van Dijk of Liverpool and teammates celebrate with Premier League trophy,
Multiple members of Liverpool's title-winning team may depart in the summer window (Image: Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold said a heartfelt goodbye to Liverpool on Sunday and Monday - but the England international won't be the only player leaving Anfield this summer. The 26-year-old was visibly emotional during Sunday's celebrations at Anfield, shedding tears on multiple occasions, and again during Monday's victory parade through Liverpool.
It marks the end of his time with the club, as he is set to join Real Madrid on a free transfer after choosing not to renew his contract with Liverpool, where he has spent the last 20 years. The Reds have already moved quickly to find a replacement, nearing the signing of Dutch international Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen for his £29million release clause. They are also in talks with the German club about a potential record-breaking £126m deal for Florian Wirtz.
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Additionally, they are eyeing Bournemouth's Milos Kerkez, the left-back who had an outstanding season in the Premier League, potentially for around £40m. It looks set to be a hectic start to the transfer window for the champions. And Alexander-Arnold is unlikely to be the only departure.
Several of his team-mates are considering their futures at the club, and four players have hinted that they may soon be moving on after the final match of the season against Crystal Palace.
One potential high-profile departure from Anfield could be Ireland's Caoimhin Kelleher, the 24-year-old goalkeeper who has found himself on Brentford's radar. With the Bees’ first-choice keeper Mark Flekken joining Bayer Leverkusen, they are considering a £20m bid for Kelleher.
He said in a post-match interview: "I think I've said it before that I feel like I'm a number one," Kelleher asserted. "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 being interviewed
Andy Robertson could leave Liverpool this summer (Image: BBC)
With Alisson established as Liverpool’s primary shot-stopper, Kelleher might face even stiffer competition from incoming Valencia star Giorgi Mamardashvili, who cost the Reds £29m and is not shying away from challenging for the top spot.
Meanwhile, Andy Robertson shared some frank insights with Match of the Day, suggesting that even his future at Liverpool could be uncertain. Nearing the end of his contract, the 31-year-old Scottish left-back explained: "Obviously, the club are going to have a busy summer, so we need to see where everyone stands.
"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."
Harvey Elliott was visibly moved as he embraced his father on the pitch after Liverpool's draw with Palace, signalling a potential exit after only two Premier League starts this season.
Once a regular fixture in Jurgen Klopp's team, Elliott has struggled to secure a spot in Arne Slot's starting eleven. Following the team's victory parade, he expressed his deep connection with the club: "This club. These fans. This city, forever in my heart. Thank you for another incredible experience."
Elliott is contemplating his future and will likely attract attention from other Premier League clubs, but it remains to be seen if any will match Liverpool's £40m valuation or if the Reds might lower their asking price.
In a similar vein, Kostas Tsimikas has left fans pondering his future at Liverpool with a nostalgic social media post reflecting on the team's league triumph.
He said alongside a photo of himself holding the Premier League trophy: "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."
Like Kelleher, the arrival of Kerkez could push him further down the pecking order. Even if Robertson were to leave, he would likely remain a back-up option.
Several other players, including Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Jarell Quansah, face uncertain futures at Anfield as they may seek more regular playing time elsewhere.
The contract situations of Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz also add to the uncertainty. While Konate is negotiating a new deal, Diaz has caught Barcelona's eye and could be tempted by a move to Spain if a substantial offer is tabled.
Following the draw with Palace, Slot acknowledged the need for discussions with several players about their future plans: "If we need to strengthen the team, we will. 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."