Eight Liverpool players who could follow Jürgen Klopp in leaving as Arne Slot faces big decisions

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp will lead the Reds for the final time on Sunday. With third place assured, he, the players and supporters can enjoy the match against Wolverhampton Wanderers free from the stress that final-day games often bring.

It will be an emotional occasion. Klopp has been manager of Liverpool for almost nine years, a period in which the long wait for a Premier League title ended and the Reds won the Champions League, reaching a further two finals. For younger supporters, they’ve never known a more successful boss of the Reds.

The German is not the only man who will leave the club this summer, with his coaching staff moving on too. Most notable is Pep Lijnders’ appointment as head coach at Red Bull Salzburg, as it could prove a good training to be Liverpool manager several years down the line.

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There will of course be exits on the playing side too, and that would have been the case even if the manager was not on his way out this summer. Here’s a look at the players who could follow Klopp in leaving Liverpool.

The definite exits

The club has confirmed that Thiago Alcântara and Joël Matip will not be at the club next season, with both men leaving Liverpool at the conclusion of their contracts in June. While nothing has been formally announced as yet, third-choice goalkeeper Adrián is also out of contract and wants to return to La Liga, so it’s fair to include him here.

The likely leavers

The main name in the frame here is Nat Phillips. The center-back is tied down until 2025, but last made an appearance for Liverpool in January 2023.

He has since had loan spells with Celtic and Cardiff City, so it is impossible to see him forcing his way back into the picture at Anfield. His partner in crime from 2020/21, Rhys Williams, is in the same boat. But with Matip leaving, the Reds may think it prudent to hold onto them both just until a replacement is secured.

The maybes

This is where it gets interesting. The key trio of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk are all about to enter the final year of their current deals. While it feels unlikely that Liverpool would force any of them to go, we have reached the point where they could be sold if they will not extend their contracts.

Of the three, Salah could be the likeliest leaver, purely as he is not entering his peak years like Alexander-Arnold and would draw a bigger fee than Van Dijk, especially with Saudi Arabia interested. But if he stays, it’s not inconceivable that his fellow forward Luis Díaz moves on.

The Colombian has been linked with Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks. With three years left on his contract, the Reds would not allow Díaz to leave on the cheap but a sizeable offer could turn Richard Hughes’ head.

It may also be the summer in which Caoimhín Kelleher decides it is time to establish himself as a number one goalkeeper elsewhere. Barring an injury to Alisson Becker, his opportunities could be more limited next season with Liverpool returning to the Champions League.

For now, this section is all speculation. It promises to be an interesting summer for Arne Slot, Hughes, Michael Edwards, Julian Ward and everyone in the background at the club though. The rumor mill could soon be red hot.