Liverpool 2025/26 squad review – buy, sell, keep, loan decisions on 26 stars | Football | Sport

With the enormous investment made during the summer transfer window, Liverpool supporters were expecting a robust title defence alongside deep runs in other competitions. Yet the Reds have failed to string together any sustained period of good form and will relinquish their Premier League crown before the season is out.

Arne Slot splashed a staggering £446million last year bolstering his squad, bringing in the likes of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz and Milos Kerkez. Despite such extraordinary expenditure on new recruits, the reigning Premier League champions look set to finish no higher than fifth, scraping into the Champions League places. With several areas of the squad in need of reconstruction and injuries affecting key players throughout the campaign, Liverpool will be desperate for the 2026/27 season to mark a dramatic turnaround in fortunes.

Here’s a look at where Liverpool could look to reshape their squad this summer…

Alisson has endured an unfortunate campaign marred by injury setbacks, suffering concussion alongside multiple hamstring problems.

Despite this, the experienced shot-stopper has delivered impressive displays for Liverpool and remains a hugely popular figure within the squad, making him a strong candidate to remain despite recent speculation linking him with Italian side Juventus.

Giorgi Mamardashvili has proved an excellent stand-in for the goalkeeping role, featuring 16 times between the posts before a knee problem ruled him out towards the campaign’s conclusion.

With Alisson now 33 years of age, the Georgian is expected to be retained and developed into Liverpool’s new first-choice keeper.

Freddie Woodman, meanwhile, is tipped to remain beyond this campaign as a highly-regarded reserve option.

Joe Gomez represents another player who has battled injury difficulties this season, sitting out eight fixtures due to various ailments.

Given limited opportunities in the starting line-up and his lengthy tenure at the club, the defender appears likely to be moved on to accommodate incoming reinforcements.

Club captain Virgil van Dijk has been a towering presence, helping to carry the club through a turbulent season. Reports indicate that the Reds are seeking a long-term replacement for the Dutchman this summer, though it is widely expected he will remain to assist in settling new arrivals.

Ibrahima Konate is another star persistently linked with a departure from Anfield. The defender is currently due to become a free agent this summer, though the club is working tirelessly to tie him down to a new deal.

Real Madrid have been credited with an interest, although he recently confirmed that an extension is close to being finalised.

Milos Kerkez is among Slot’s summer recruits who has not quite hit the ground running at Liverpool. The left-back has displaced Andy Robertson from his starting position but has faced criticism for errors in previous matches. He remains a player the Reds will be eager to see develop going forward.

Conor Bradley had been impressing under Slot before a serious knee injury cut his season short. He is expected to remain at the club, with the potential to establish himself as another Anfield hero in years to come.

Giovanni Leoni had barely got his Liverpool career off the ground before an ACL injury brought his debut season to a premature end. He is one player almost certain to stay and hopefully return to the pitch displaying the same quality he demonstrated back in September.

Vice-captain Robertson has confirmed he will leave Liverpool as a free agent this summer after spending the best part of a decade at Anfield. The Scotland international has attracted interest from numerous clubs eager to secure his services, amongst them Premier League rivals Tottenham.

Jeremie Frimpong joined Liverpool in the summer and has established himself as a regular fixture in the starting line-up this season. He will be looking to continue his pursuit of silverware in England.

Young defender Calvin Ramsay has managed just two appearances this season for Liverpool in cup competitions. A loan move could be on the cards to secure more regular first-team football and potentially make his mark further down the line.

Wataru Endo is facing a race to be fit for Japan’s squad at the World Cup, yet his performances at Liverpool this term have left much to be desired. The 33-year-old has featured in just 12 matches so far this season and appears to be another player heading for the exit.

Florian Wirtz has had a difficult introduction to life at Liverpool, drawing considerable criticism throughout his debut campaign. The German has struggled to replicate the scintillating form he displayed during his time at Bayer Leverkusen, but will remain at the club to prove himself under Slot next season.

Standout performer Dominik Szoboszlai may have been linked with a summer switch to Real Madrid, but Liverpool will be determined to retain the dynamic playmaker at Anfield.

He has been outstanding in the heart of midfield and is a cornerstone around which to build for the coming campaign.

Alexis Mac Allister is another high-profile name being linked with a departure from Anfield this summer. The Argentine has failed to hit the heights anticipated this season and has struggled alongside the rest of the squad.

However, no concrete discussions with rival clubs have taken place, and the 27 year old remains contracted to the club until the summer of 2028.

Negotiations over a new deal for Curtis Jones have reportedly been stalled for months, with the midfielder attracting interest from several clubs ahead of a potential summer exit.

He has racked up a remarkable 46 appearances for Liverpool so far this season and has been a key figure — yet he could find himself on the move within weeks.

Ryan Gravenberch penned a new long-term contract with Liverpool earlier this year, tying him to Anfield until 2032. Following this extension, a summer exit appears highly unlikely, with the club expected to build their midfield around him alongside Szoboszlai.

Teenage talent Trey Nyoni broke into the first team this year, registering 13 appearances for the senior side across domestic and European competition. He has caught the eye and is viewed as a star of the future, with potential summer recruitment suggesting a loan move may be on the cards to further his development.

Stefan Bajcetic has not featured for Liverpool in two years owing to injuries and loan spells away from the club. With his name barely cropping up in the club’s future plans, the 21-year-old looks set to either head out on loan once more or be sold this summer.

Alexander Isak was Liverpool’s marquee signing last summer, with his deadline-day arrival for a £125m fee raising plenty of eyebrows.

He is expected to remain at the club and will be hoping for a more productive sophomore campaign, following a broken leg which disrupted his maiden season.

Fellow summer recruit Hugo Ekitike had been a bright spark for Liverpool this term, registering 23 goal contributions before a devastating injury against PSG.

However, he faces up to 12 months on the sidelines after sustaining an Achilles tear, ruling him out of part of next season and the forthcoming World Cup.

The Reds will support the devastated Frenchman as he works to recover from the significant blow.

Mohamed Salah will leave Anfield as a legend following a nine-year spell with the Reds. The Egyptian stands as a modern-day icon, having secured two Premier League crowns and the Champions League, while establishing his third place standing on the club’s all-time leading scorers list.

Federico Chiesa became Slot’s inaugural Liverpool signing in 2024 and was lauded as a £10m steal from Juventus.

However, the Italy international has slipped down the pecking order at Anfield and was touted for a January departure. He is likely to be offloaded to facilitate fresh arrivals this summer.

Cody Gakpo is expected to feature on Liverpool’s squad roster next season after demonstrating his reliability this term.

The Dutchman offered a rare moment of encouragement in the Reds’ loss to Manchester United at the weekend and could prove valuable across the attacking positions.

Rising talent Rio Ngumoha may be just 17 years old but he has already demonstrated his capacity to cope with the demands at Anfield.

The teenager became Liverpool’s youngest ever goalscorer at 16 years and 361 days, clinching a 3-2 victory away to Newcastle. He will be one for the future for Slot but is expected to remain to secure his place in the starting XI.

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