Liverpool may need to refresh its roster again this summer to get back up to the level of Man City and Arsenal, with Arne Slot set to be in the hotseat for the new campaign
Richard Garnett
21:14, 14 May 2026
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a training session.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Arne Slot looks set to remain as Liverpool's head coach at the start of the 2026-27 season. The Dutchman has a year left to run on his three-year deal, and the expectation is that he will remain in post.
Slot acknowledged as much in his Thursday morning press conference. "I don't think I am deciding that alone by myself, but I have every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season," he said. "First of all, I am contracted to this club and second of all, from all the talks we are having. That is my take on it."
What is beyond doubt is that Liverpool must be active in the transfer market once again this summer if they are to build a squad with the depth and balance necessary to mount a credible challenge for honors both domestically and on the European stage, not least because there could be several players leaving.
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Mohamed Salah
Club legend Salah will say his goodbyes after a stunning nine-year Liverpool career in the match against Brentford at Anfield a week on Sunday.
The Egyptian only put pen to paper on a new two-year deal just 12 months ago, yet a dip in form and output has led to both the club and player reaching a mutual agreement to bring his contract to an early end. Salah will be near-impossible to replace, but time waits for no one.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah reacts after picking up an injury against Crystal Palace.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah reacts after picking up an injury against Crystal Palace.(Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Andy Robertson
Vice-captain Robertson is another decorated Anfield stalwart, having been at the club just as long as Salah. Yet he has been forced to share left-back duties with summer signing Milos Kerkez this season and came close to a potential move to Tottenham in January.
The Scotland captain is out of contract next month and, at 32, is ready to embrace a new challenge elsewhere.
Alisson Becker
Much like Salah and Robertson, Alisson is a two-time Premier League champion and Champions League victor. He is also regarded by many as Liverpool's best goalkeeper in half a century.
However, fitness issues have limited his appearances and, while he remains the number one choice between the sticks, reports indicate the Brazilian is moving closer to a summer transfer to Juventus. He represents yet another player who would be exceptionally challenging to replace.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (left) with goalkeeper Alisson
Liverpool manager Arne Slot (left) with goalkeeper Alisson(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
Curtis Jones
Presently the sole senior Scouser in the Liverpool first-team squad, Jones is now 25, but despite appearing in 32 Premier League fixtures this season, he has still not cemented himself as a regular starter in the Reds' engine room.
Recently deployed by Slot as an emergency right-back, Jones is probably keen to play in his preferred position and, as a result, might consider leaving at the end of the campaign.
The Academy product will have 12 months left on his contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a move to Inter Milan. He also constitutes a saleable asset, meaning any departure could help raise funds to plow into new signings.
Joe Gomez
Gomez is Liverpool's longest-serving player, having joined the club from Charlton in 2015. Yet despite being an integral part of the 2019-20 Premier League title-winning side, he has often been the Reds' versatile option, rather than a guaranteed first-choice pick.
A loyal stalwart for more than a decade, Gomez might have left Anfield at the beginning of the campaign before a proposed move for Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi collapsed on deadline day. With just 12 months left on his current deal, the 28-year-old recently admitted his future at the club is up in the air.
"I don't know is the honest answer. I've only got a year left on my contract, so I don't know," he told reporters last weekend.
"Whatever's meant to be will be, but I'm so grateful to have had this time here at this club. I always will be grateful to have had 11 years at a place like this. All I can do is be thankful and we'll see."
Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez admitted he is not sure what the future holds for him and whether he will leave Liverpool this summer
Alexis Mac Allister
At 27, Mac Allister has already achieved more during his career than most footballers could ever imagine, though that doesn't make him immune to scrutiny.
A World Cup victor with Argentina and a Premier League title holder with Liverpool, the midfielder was often the catalyst in the Reds' midfield during their championship success, yet his displays have declined this campaign sharply.
With Liverpool consistently being overrun in the middle of the park, this is one position where reinforcement will undoubtedly be a priority next summer, and should a marquee addition arrive, it could be Mac Allister who ends up being moved on. Similar to Jones, he constitutes a valuable asset, meaning a summer exit cannot be ruled out.
Wataro Endo
The Japanese midfielder was 30 upon his arrival at the club, and that was almost three years ago. He was unlucky to suffer a significant ankle ligament injury against Sunderland, requiring surgery, which ended his campaign prematurely, but the question persists — has he already worn a Liverpool jersey for the last time?
Endo will be targeting a comeback in time for this summer's World Cup, but with his playing opportunities at Liverpool continually limited, it might be the right moment to seek a new challenge elsewhere. His current contract runs until 2027.
Wataru Endo.
Wataru Endo suffered a injury back in February(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Federico Chiesa
Significant excitement surrounded the signing of Juventus star Chiesa in August 2024, yet despite becoming something of a Kop cult hero, in reality, he has entered the small group of Italian footballers who have all failed to make a genuine impact in the red shirt of Liverpool. Clearly not preferred by Slot, a return to Italy this summer seems highly likely.
Harvey Elliott
Had things gone to plan, Elliott's status as a former Liverpool player would by now be all but confirmed. His loan move to Aston Villa at the start of the season was designed to see the Europa League finalists fulfill an obligation to purchase him for $47 million (£35 million).
Unai Emery had another idea, though, and chose not to play Elliott often enough to trigger the arrangement. He will return to Liverpool at the end of the season, having wasted 12 months of his career at Villa Park.
The prospect of his Anfield career being resurrected seems rather unlikely, however, given that Slot was willing to loan him out in the first place, making a permanent exit elsewhere very much a possibility come the summer.
Kostas Tsimikas
The Greek Scouser carved his place in Liverpool's history by scoring the winning penalty in the FA Cup Final against Chelsea in 2022 and was part of the Premier League title-winning side last season, yet he has consistently played second fiddle to Robertson.
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When Kerkez joined for $54 million (£40 million) in the summer, a loan arrangement with AS Roma was subsequently put in place.
With Robertson set to depart, Tsimikas could return as backup for Kerkez, but would the 30-year-old be content in that capacity and, more importantly, do Liverpool need a stronger option who can push the Hungarian harder at the highest level?
Much could depend on the transfer business the Reds carry out at the start of the season. He could prove to be a financially savvy squad option in a surprising comeback.