Liverpool keep or sell: 5 players axed leaving three transfer priorities clear

Liverpool's defence of the Premier League title has been lacklustre to say the least this season with Arne Slot feeling the pressure

Liverpool have failed to put up a fight in their bid to defend the Premier League crown. They could turn to the transfer market this summer to rejuvenate their squad.

Arne Slot's first season in charge of the Reds almost seemed too good to be true and perhaps it was. The Dutchman slipped into the shoes of the departing Jurgen Klopp with ease and sauntered to a top-flight title.

This campaign has been an entirely different story, with the club going on a run of nine defeats in 12 games late last year. Liverpool currently sit fifth in the league table with a battle on their hands to qualify for the Champions League. Slot's squad was significantly bolstered last summer with the likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz all added, among others.

A haul of roughly £450million was parted with but even more expenditure could be necessary in the upcoming window should they want to bounce back to title contention. Mirror Football has taken a look at who the Reds could keep, sell and recruit come the summer.

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Keep or Sell

Alisson Becker - KEEP

Alisson blossomed into one of the world's best goalkeepers at Anfield and while he has turned 33, selling him in the summer does not appear wise. His contract expires in 2027, so a decision should be made then.

Giorgi Mamardashvili - KEEP

It seems too early to write off Mamardashvili. He hasn't exactly set the world alight when filling in for Alisson but at 25 he has room to grow and he's only made 13 appearances so far.

Joe Gomez - KEEP

Gomez is the definition of a loyal servant. Like some other members of the squad, he isn't getting any younger, but a player so versatile is hard to come by and he should remain a part of the first-team rotation. It would be a shame for him to score his first senior goal for a different club.

Virgil van Dijk - KEEP

Liverpool's captain may have shown signs of regression this season but he remains a crucial puzzle piece both on and off the pitch. Much like Alisson, the club should wait until 2027 when his deal expires to make any decision.

Ibrahima Konate - RELEASE

Konate is out of contract this summer but the club should let him depart. He is 26, has shown some frailties and for the wages he'll request, Liverpool would be better off nurturing another centre-half alongside Van Dijk. Jeremy Jacquet's imminent arrival from Rennes is another reason to let Konate leave.

Milos Kerkez - KEEP

Kerkez's first season with the Reds has not lived up to expectations. But the club should allow him time to adjust to playing for a team of Liverpool's calibre.

Conor Bradley - KEEP

This season came to a premature end for Bradley after he picked up a long-term knee injury in a clash against Arsenal. Once he returns from the sidelines, he can remain a valuable defensive option and is still only 22.

Giovanni Leoni - KEEP

Like Bradley, Leoni has also spent a large chunk of this campaign on the sidelines. He can be the one to challenge Jacquet for a first-team berth next season.

Andy Robertson - RELEASE

The Scotsman has become a cult hero on Merseyside during his tenure but his deal expires this summer. As is the case with Konate, the club should let him leave with his head held high and allow him to choose his next destination.

Jeremie Frimpong - KEEP

Frimpong is another new signing plagued by injuries but his rapid pace and threat going forward mean he should remain a key first-team player next term.

Konstantinos Tsimikas (On loan) - SELL

Tsimikas is currently on loan with Roma and his performances have been a mixed bag. He is under contract until 2027 so the club should look to offload for a fee this summer.

Wataru Endo - SELL

Endo is also contracted until next year, so Liverpool should not let him walk and try to sell him when the window opens.

Florian Wirtz - KEEP

The German struggled during his early outings as a Liverpool player but has since come into his own. His creativity will be key for the Reds' next campaign.

Dominik Szoboszlai - KEEP

There is no doubting that Szoboszlai has been Liverpool's standout player this term. His goals from set-pieces and his willingness to play in defence make him untouchable.

Alexis Mac Allister - KEEP

In contrast to Szoboszlai, Mac Allister has not enjoyed the best of seasons. But he will simply have to adapt to Wirtz taking on some of the attacking burden and it is too soon to sanction an exit.

Curtis Jones - SELL

One player who can be let go is Curtis Jones. While it may be painful to say goodbye to an academy graduate, any fee generated would count as pure profit and others appeal more in the midfield.

Ryan Gravenberch - KEEP

Slot managed to get some tune out of Gravenberch as a holding player last year, but he has shifted slightly further forward this term and it has cost Liverpool at times. He should not be sold as he can be a valuable squad player, but it may be time they take the plunge on a bona fide No. 6.

Trey Nyoni - KEEP

Nyoni has shown great potential when he has appeared for Liverpool and while they could look to loan him out, he could learn more by staying put.

Harvey Elliott (On loan) - SELL

The young Englishman's loan spell at Aston Villa has been abysmal and the club may be able to offload him for a fair fee in the summer.

Alexander Isak - KEEP

The Swedish striker has been out since suffering an injury in a win against Tottenham earlier in the campaign. He is the most expensive British signing in history.

Mohamed Salah - RELEASE

The iconic Egyptian has announced he will leave Liverpool this summer.

Federico Chiesa - KEEP

Chiesa hasn't cracked Slot's starting XI yet and might never do so but he can still provide the Dutchman with a solid option off the bench.

Cody Gakpo - SELL

While it may seem far-fetched to sell Gakpo, he is one of the club's highest earners but doesn't perform as if he is the long-term solution on the left wing. He could fetch a fair fee, which could be invested in a star winger.

Hugo Ekitike - KEEP

In Isak's absence, Ekitike has proven to be an exceptional signing. He is one of the first names on Slot's teamsheet when fit.

Rio Ngumoha - KEEP

If Szoboszlai has been the star of the season, Ngumoha has been the uncovered diamond. The teenager shapes as though he has a bright future at Anfield and can be the Salah successor the club need.

Next season's XI

If Liverpool do not qualify for next season's Champions League then they can kiss goodbye the possibility of meaningful summer spending. But there are three key areas the club should look to bolster.

The first is at centre-half. The arrival of Jacquet and the promise of Leoni need to be taken into consideration but another more experienced defender should be purchased. Nico Schlotterbeck fits the mould perfectly.

Next, a holding midfielder should be signed. The impact a stellar No. 6 can make is endless, as seen with Declan Rice at Arsenal and Rodri at Manchester City. Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga is supposedly seeking an exit.

A new superstar winger is the final puzzle piece with Salah's exit nearing. The young Yan Diomande is reportedly on the club's radar and could form a deadly partnership with Ngumoha for years to come, rounding off what would become a very aggressive starting XI.

Liverpool's 2026/27 XI: Alisson; Frimpong, New CB, Van Dijk, Kerkez; New CDM, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ngumoha, Isak, New LW