Arne Slot is often at pains to insist that Liverpool sell well. Yes, they spent just shy of £450million last summer – but the Dutchman never lets that figure be stated without mentioning the fact it was balanced out by letting players leave for north of £200m.
The head coach also regularly discusses the Reds’ model of being a sustainable club, and he recently revealed Liverpool must ‘sell some good players’ to afford another major outlay in the upcoming transfer window.
So where is that money coming from? Who should the Premier League champions – for a few weeks more at least – consider cashing in on? Daily Mail Sport reveals what we are hearing on potential outgoings…
Juventus are mad about Alisson. We first reported on their interest months ago, but the Old Lady have stepped it up in recent weeks and have made signing a new goalkeeper their priority this summer.
There are several moving parts with this one. First, sources in Italy are telling Confidential that Alisson is not their only candidate: James Trafford (Manchester City), David de Gea (Fiorentina), Guillaume Restes (Toulouse) and Konstantinos Tzolakis (Olympiacos) are also on their list.
With future England No 1 Trafford likely to cost more money, though, Juve are said to be leaning towards Alisson, who would be cheap given he only has a year left on his Liverpool deal and turns 34 in October.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has bags of experience and the club would do well to keep him around
Second, we don’t really know where Alisson’s head is at. The Brazilian has a huge decision to make and is said to be enamoured by the prospect of returning to Serie A – he speaks fluent Italian after his time at Roma – but is keeping his options open for now ahead of the World Cup.
Liverpool, of course, have the power to stand in his way or, to put it more mildly, convince him to stay. His deal expires next summer, the club having recently triggered an extra year. With Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson leaving, can they allow another experienced leader to depart?
They could counter that with the fact his current hamstring injury – he is hopeful of being back to face Manchester United on Sunday – is the 10th time he has missed one game or more because of an injury or illness since the start of the 2023-24 season.
DAILY MAIL SPORT VERDICT – KEEP: Even though he’s far too injury prone, Alisson’s experience is vital so the club will try to convince him to stay for one more year.
ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER
There is a lot of chat about another of Liverpool’s South Americans at the moment, in midfielder Mac Allister. Maybe some of it is just a bit of bluster that has stemmed from the fact he has had a disappointing year – but the Argentine could be Liverpool’s most sellable asset this summer.
As far as Confidential understands, no talks have started over a new contract for Mac Allister. That news might raise eyebrows but it is not a huge surprise: by the time his current deal expires, in the summer of 2028, Mac Allister will be 29.
Knowing how Fenway Sports Group operate – see, for example, how Georginio Wijnaldum was not given a new deal at a similar age in 2021 – that is nothing new. They do not like to give big deals to players on the wrong side of 30.
This season, he has fewer assists, his pass accuracy has gone down and he is creating fewer chances per 90 minutes. However, all of these statistical changes are only very marginal. He is running more this year and being dribbled past less.
Many of Alexis Mac Allister’s numbers are down this season – could he be the club’s most sellable asset this summer?
But you don’t need the numbers to tell you Mac Allister is struggling. The eye test will tell you that. His decline has been stark and can no longer be put down to an injury-disrupted pre-season.
But should they sell him? Would Real Madrid step up their reported interest – the La Liga giants, it must be said, are linked with just about every midfielder in the world right now in local media – and actually stump up the cash? What would the £35m signing be worth now?
DAILY MAIL SPORT VERDICT – KEEP: It has been a poor season but the feelgood factor of a World Cup with the reigning champions should be a boost for him. The club – and more importantly he – believe he will bounce back stronger.
CURTIS JONES
There is even more noise about this midfielder.
Inter Milan wanted Jones in January, Tottenham are said to be keen on him now and many other clubs will be keeping a watching brief on his situation.
Despite still seeming like a young buck who broke on to the scene just yesterday, Jones is now 25 and at something of a crossroads in his career. He has played in all but four of Liverpool’s league games this season yet has started just 14 of 34, several of them at right back.
Jones, who, like Alisson, has a contract that expires next year, divides opinion among the fanbase. On his day, he is a classy midfielder who can do it all but some think he is lacking in key areas. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle: a jack of all trades but master of none might be a fair way of putting it. Those sort of players are important in any squad and his versatility is key.
Curtis Jones divides opinion among the Liverpool fans. On his day, he is a classy midfielder who can do it all but some think he is lacking in key areas
Jones was the first player to speak publicly in the Slot era, telling reporters how much he was enjoying life under the new boss, insisting the style suited him perfectly. He has remained a bit-part player, though, always on the cusp of the starting XI with a few runs in the team but, mainly, still spending more time on the bench than on the pitch.
It feels like Jones is ready to take that next step and move on.
DAILY MAIL SPORT VERDICT – SELL: Reluctantly given his versatility, sell him.
FEDERICO CHIESA
When Chiesa scored on the opening night of the Premier League season, it felt like a corner had been turned. After a bitterly disappointing first year at the club, Chiesa had finally announced himself at Anfield.
A few more notable moments occurred in the following weeks but after regular cameos early on this season, Chiesa’s gametime has dried up again recently. He has been on the pitch for just 24 minutes in Liverpool’s last seven league matches.
He likes the idea of a return to Juventus. He fell out with their then manager Thiago Motta before joining Liverpool but Motta has moved on and Luciano Spalletti is now the Juve boss. Atalanta, Roma and Milan are also keen and a departure feels inevitable.
DAILY MAIL SPORT VERDICT – SELL: The move has not worked and Chiesa deserves game-time.
Federico Chiesa has struggled for minutes throughout his Liverpool career – a move back to Italy feels inevitable
JOE GOMEZ
When he is fit, he is Mr Reliable. The defender can play anywhere across the back four and never really puts a foot wrong when he’s in the team. The problem is that he is sadly anything but Mr Reliable when it comes to being available.
Turning 29 next month, Gomez is also at a crossroads and is Liverpool’s longest-serving player. There was plenty of interest last summer from the Premier League and abroad. He may think it is the right time to move on.
Liverpool’s defensive options are healthy next season given the pending arrival of Jeremy Jacquet from Rennes, and Giovanni Leoni’s return from his ACL injury. Leoni is doing on-the-grass recovery and told Gazzetta dello Sport ‘the hardest part is over’ in January.
So Gomez might feel he will get more regular football elsewhere.
DAILY MAIL SPORT VERDICT – SELL: Time for a new challenge for the centre-half.
Joe Gomez turns 29 next month and Liverpool’s longest-serving player finds himself at a crossroads in his career
HARVEY ELLIOTT
It’s been a nightmare season for Elliott after his move to Aston Villa, which was a loan with an obligation to buy based on him making a certain number of appearances.
It remains to be seen whether Bundesliga teams rekindle their interest this summer. There will be suitors as he was a hot property this time last year, especially when he went on to star in the Under-21 European Championship.
But what is certain is that his value will have only gone one way. Some Liverpool fans might want him back and there is a school of thought that with Salah leaving, Chiesa likely to follow and Hugo Ekitike injured, he could be handy as an extra attacker.
Given he was deemed surplus to requirements a year ago, though, that seems unlikely but not impossible.
DAILY MAIL SPORT VERDICT – SELL: He has failed to crack it at Liverpool and a fresh start seems the most likely next step.
WATARU ENDO
The Japan captain suffered a devastating ankle injury in February which required surgery, and the reaction of Liverpool’s fans singing his name recently prompted him to burst into tears.
He is not officially ruled out of the World Cup but it is fair to say he is in a race against time to be fit for it. His contract runs until the end of next season and a lot will depend on what Endo wants to do. He never kicks up a fuss and is a good squad player who can play in midfield or defence.
DAILY MAIL SPORT VERDICT – KEEP: He is a really useful squad member and Liverpool will hope to be fighting on multiple fronts next season so Endo can certainly play a part.
Wataru Endo (left) and Harvey Elliott are both facing uncertain futures at Anfield
AND WHO ELSE MIGHT LEAVE?
Loan moves for the likes of Jayden Danns, Stefan Bajcetic, James McConnell and Vitek Jaros would seem wise.
Kostas Tsimikas is an interesting case. With left back Robertson moving on, will Liverpool sign a replacement? At the moment, it feels like the Greece international will return as the second-choice to Milos Kerkez. Is he good enough for that, though?
Some might say Trey Nyoni should go out on loan and there is lots of interest in the teenager. With one of the current midfielders quite possibly leaving, though, Nyoni will be hopeful of getting more minutes.
