Despite making his farewell appearance as a Liverpool player on Sunday, Trent Alexander-Arnold is not the only player departing the Reds this summer. After Arne Slot’s team finished the season with a 1-1 draw at home against Crystal Palace, the England international entered the game at halftime and was given the Premier League trophy.
Alexander-Arnold, who was given a hero’s reception, was the center of the festivities at Anfield on a day that Liverpool would never forget.
However, as his Reds career came to an end, he was also seen crying on multiple occasions, including the next day when he was part of the city’s open-top bus parade.
The 26-year-old has chosen not to sign a new contract with his boyhood club and is now expected to join Real Madrid on a Bosman transfer.
After agreeing to pay Jeremie Frimpong’s £29 million release clause, Liverpool has already acted swiftly to find a replacement for Alexander-Arnold as they attempt to complete the signing of the Bayer Leverkusen player.
They are also in talks with the Bundesliga outfit regarding a potential £126m club-record deal for Florian Wirtz, and are interested in signing Milos Kerkez from AFC Bournemouth.
As a result, the Reds are expected to have a busy start to the transfer window.
Although Alexander-Arnold’sdeparturefrom Anfield is certain, several of his soon-to-be teammates are uncertain about their futures at Liverpool. And after the final whistle against Crystal Palace, three of them made hints that their Reds careers might be coming to an end.
When he was interviewed by Optus Sport following the final whistle, Caoimhin Kelleher, who has since revealed that Brentford and several other teams are interested in him, sent the clearest goodbye message.
The Irishman, who is probably going to get a move this summer, reaffirmed his goal to become a number one.
“I think I’ve said it before that I feel like I’m a number one,” he said on the Anfield pitch. “And I think I’m good enough to play week-in, week-out. And that’s what I’m looking to do, obviously.
“This season I was lucky enough to play a lot of games but yeah, definitely something I am looking at.”
In an interview with Match of the Day, Andy Robertson would give a more subtly suggestive hint about his own future. The Scotland international, who is nearing the end of his contract, is aware that Liverpool is hoping to add a left-back this summer, and that Kerkez, who is valued at £40 million, is their top target.
In reference to these transfer plans, the 31-year-old ostensibly implied that he might need to reevaluate his role.
“Obviously, the club are going to have a busy summer, so we need to see where everyone stands,” Robertson reiterated. “But it’s been a special time here, I loved my time here.
“It’s been eight special years, and I’ve cherished every moment I’ve played in front of these fans, especially at Anfield. Today was special.”
In other news, following Liverpool’s draw with Crystal Palace, Harvey Elliott was spotted sobbing on the field while holding his father.
Later, the midfielder posted the photo to Instagram along with several other photos from the day, writing: “Lifelong memories! Reds, thank you.
After the club’s open-top bus parade, he would post once more, this time with the words, “This club.” These fans. This city, forever in my heart. I’m grateful for yet another amazing experience.
The 22-year-old has been limited to a bit-part role this season, starting only twice in the Premier League, and has previously admitted he might have to consider his position in the summer.
The England Under-21s international would have to contend with even more fierce competition for spots if he stayed put, as Liverpool is interested in signing Wirtz.
Supporters have speculated that Elliott fears he may leave his boyhood club this summer based on his Instagram messages and the footage of him crying on the field.
Following Kostas Tsimikas’ own social media post reminiscing about Liverpool’s Premier League title victory, supporters also had a similar theory.
Similar to Robertson, the Greek’s spot is in jeopardy because the Reds are trying to acquire a new left-back.
He wrote, “As a kid kicking a ball in Greece, I could never imagine this day – lifting the Premier League trophy as a Liverpool FC player,” alongside a photo of the full-back admiring the trophy.
“Five years at this club have taught me what it means to never walk alone: this city, this team, and these fans carried us through every step.
“I’m overwhelmed with pride in what we’ve achieved and gratitude for everyone who stood by us. We overcame every challenge together. Greek Scouser’s heart is forever with Liverpool.”
It will not go unnoticed that the players who appeared to be hinting at leaving Anfield this summer are those who are already working to bolster their positions.
Last summer, Valencia agreed to a £29 million deal for Giorgi Mamardashvili, which allowed Kelleher to leave. Wirtz will probably limit Elliott’s playing time.
Any move for Kerkez, meanwhile, would likely mean that Robertson or Tsimikas would have to make room, potentially altering the left-back hierarchy at Anfield. Frimpong is being signed elsewhere to take Alexander-Arnold’splace.
In addition to the four, Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz’s own futures are being questioned given their current contract situations at Anfield, and Joe Gomez, Wataru Endo, Darwin Nunez, Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota, Jarell Quansah, and Tyler Morton are still being linked to moves away.
After the draw with Palace, Slot acknowledged that he needs to speak with several Liverpool players to learn about their future plans because he knows some of them won’t be content with spending another season on the sidelines.
“We will strengthen the team if necessary,” he declared. “Because I’m not sure yet whether or not all of the players who didn’t play a lot this season will want to stay.” We will learn more about this in the coming weeks.
It wouldn’t be shocking if the exit door is even busier, even though eager supporters may be entirely preoccupied with Liverpool’s summer arrivals, beginning with Frimpong and Wirtz in particular.
Many players have made hints about leaving or are privately considering their futures, so many difficult decisions will need to be made in the upcoming weeks.