Liverpool could sell five fringe players to make millions as six Academy stars step up

Arne Slot won't have too much time for a breather once he gets his feet under the table at Liverpool.

The new Reds head coach has a significant number of tasks on his plate when he fully embraces his role at the start of next month having replaced Jurgen Klopp.

Among the jobs will be determining the immediate futures of a host of fledgling Academy talents, many of whom made their senior breakthrough for Liverpool during the past season.

READ MORE: Taylor Swift proven wrong over Liverpool attendance claim

READ MORE: Jordan Henderson was a troublemaker and my relationship with Jurgen Klopp changed at Liverpool

With the Reds likely to be without a number of first-team squad regulars for part of pre-season due to the impact of the European Championships and Copa America, there will be opportunities for some to catch the eye of Slot during the opening weeks of his reign at the AXA Training Centre and the warm-up programme.

One decision has already been taken, with 20-year-old right-back Calvin Ramsay, signed from Aberdeen two summers ago, spending the forthcoming season at League One side Wigan Athletic on loan.

So what should Liverpool - with Slot working alongside the recruitment, Academy and loans teams - do with their next generation for the foreseeable future?

The ones to keep

One player who should surely now be considered a fully-fledged member of the first-team set-up is midfielder Bobby Clark, who was regularly involved in the matchday squad when fit last season.

Tyler Morton's impressive loan spells in consecutive seasons at Championship sides Blackburn Rovers and Hull City - interestingly often playing in a double pivot - mean at the very least the midfielder merits closer assessment throughout pre-season before a final decision is taken.

Similar can be said for Kaide Gordon. While the teenager has spent much of the same period injured rather than out on loan, the closing months of the Premier League 2 campaign suggested he is ready for a step up in challenge. That ultimately may be away from Anfield this season, but not yet.

The remainder of players who Liverpool should look to keep are those who made surprising strides through the Academy last season. Forward duo Jayden Danns and Lewis Koumas both began the campaign with the under-18s but since went on to feature and score for the senior side, and will be best served by continuing their development in the U21s while regularly playing and occasionally being involved with the first team. Indeed, Koumas is now a full Wales international.

And midfielder Trey Nyoni, still only 16, is another who should continue at the Academy for now with occasional glimpses of the first team, such as in the early rounds of the League Cup.

The ones to loan

James McConnell made nine appearances last season, including the League Cup final, after catching the eye of the Liverpool coaching team in pre-season. Having signed a new long-term deal in January, the 19-year-old midfielder will benefit from more minutes in the Championship, with several clubs pursuing a loan deal.

By contrast, much was expected of Ben Doak last term only for injury to ruin the winger's campaign and, eventually, his hopes of playing at Euro 2024. A season where he can gain regular minutes at Championship level or above would be ideal.

Left-back duo Owen Beck and Luke Chambers both profited from loan spells at Dundee and Wigan respectively last season and will most likely go out again. Beck, 22 in August, perhaps has one more temporary stint before a decision is made on his long-term future, although there is scope for involvement during pre-season for the pair.

Harvey Davies, the 20-year-old goalkeeper, had a good temporary stay at Crewe Alexandra last term while midfielder Dominic Corness was a regular in the Swiss League with Yverdon before injury. Defender James Norris and Luca Stephenson both had loans at Tranmere Rovers and Barrow last season and would most likely be loaned once more, while 19-year-old left-back Calum Scanlon, who made his first-team debut last season, may need senior minutes down the leagues after an injury-affected season.

The ones to sell

Sepp van den Berg has already made it clear he wants to leave Liverpool after a successful loan spell in the Bundesliga with Mainz, who want to sign the centre-back on a permanent basis. Other clubs are also courting the Dutchman but must reach the Reds' asking price of around £20million.

Viteszslav Jaros impressed when on loan at Sturm Graz for the second half of last season in winning the league and cup double in Austria and is unlikely to want to return to U21 football, particularly having been called up to the Czech Republic squad for the ongoing Euros. Liverpool could decide to elevate the 22-year-old to second or third choice depending on how the goalkeeping situation with Caoimhin Kelleher and Adrian pans out. Otherwise, Jaros may be primed for a transfer should he not agree to another loan.

Neither Rhys Williams nor Billy Koumetio have enjoyed successful loan spells of late and, having not featured for the Liverpool first team in recent years, a permanent exit would perhaps suit all parties.

Finally, Anderson Arroyo still has another year left on his contract having signed an extension in 2022. But approaching 25 years of age and having had eight different loan moves, the time is ripe for a permanent departure of a player who joined the Reds more than six years ago but hasn't been able to feature due to work permit issues.