Liverpool could lose as many as 10 first-team players for nothing next summer unless contract renewals are agreed, as the club risks repeating the costly pattern of allowing high-profile stars to depart on free transfers.
Under Arne Slot, Andy Robertson, Ibrahima Konate, and Mohamed Salah all left this summer without generating transfer fees. Salah mutually agreed to rip up the final year of his deal, while the other two departed as free agents. These exits followed the earlier departures of Roberto Firmino, Georginio Wijnaldum, and Emre Can, which also yielded no transfer income.
The Reds have previously shown they can sell fringe players for solid fees, such as Rhian Brewster for £23.5 million and Sepp van den Berg for £25 million. They also secured £10 million from Real Madrid for Trent Alexander-Arnold by leveraging Madrid's urgency to register him before the Club World Cup. Yet the trend of losing key players for free persists.
Ten players entering final year of contracts
Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Stefan Bajcetic, Calvin Ramsay, and Harvey Davies could all be in their final campaign at Anfield.
Captain Van Dijk will turn 36 a week after his deal expires next June. He played the most minutes in Europe last season and remains an influential figure, though it is uncertain whether he will be offered an extension on his £350,000-a-week terms. He is a prime target for MLS side Chicago Fire, who recently signed Robert Lewandowski.
Alisson, 33, chose to honour the final year of his contract despite interest from Juventus. He could return to Serie A next summer or join boyhood club Internacional later in his career.
Curtis Jones has been the subject of repeated approaches from Inter Milan, who had a £21 million bid rejected and have since discussed a £30 million deal, according to the ECHO.
Midfield and defensive uncertainties
Harvey Elliott is back at Anfield after a disappointing loan at Aston Villa. The 23-year-old has a chance to impress manager Andoni Iraola given the shortage of midfield and attacking options.
Joe Gomez, the club's longest-serving player, is set to begin his 12th campaign. Injury problems have made him unreliable, and he will miss the start of the season after a muscle injury in the first pre-season friendly against Sunderland. A testimonial at Anfield is planned for when he eventually leaves.
Kostas Tsimikas returns to his backup left-back role after a disappointing loan at Roma. The 30-year-old said he is "really happy" to be back on Merseyside and could earn more chances with the club competing in four competitions.
Wataru Endo and Stefan Bajcetic are both fighting for their futures. Endo has been a useful squad player since 2023 but featured in only eight league matches in the 25/26 campaign. Bajcetic has not played for the club since May 2024, with injuries and loans at Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas stalling his development.
Young players eyeing opportunities
Calvin Ramsay, who turned 23 last week, has appeared several times on the pre-season tour. With Conor Bradley sidelined and Jeremie Frimpong injury-prone, the Scotsman may get a chance at right-back.
Goalkeeper Harvey Davies has yet to make a senior appearance but is expected to stay until January, according to The Athletic. The loan exit of Armin Pecsi to TSV and Vitezslav Jaros's ongoing knee rehabilitation suggest Davies's prospects are secure, at least temporarily.
