Nunez out? Plotting Liverpool’s first summer transfer window under Arne Slot | OneFootball

Next season will mark a new era for Liverpool under Arne Slot and the Dutchman will no doubt want to make his own changes to the squad.

And with Michael Edwards back at Anfield as CEO of Football, and Richard Hughes appointed as new sporting director, Liverpool’s footballing department has been massively revamped.

The club can now focus on negotiating new contracts with current squad members as well as bringing new faces into the club. However, Jurgen Klopp’s decision to exit Liverpool may result in some players following him out the door in search of a fresh challenge.

Here are the players we think Liverpool should keep, let go, and who we think they should look to sign this summer…

KEEP: Alisson, Caoimhin Kelleher, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate, Andrew Robertson, Jarrell Quansah, Conor Bradley, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Wataru Endo, Stefan Bajcetic, Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota.

Liverpool should not be opting for a complete clear out this summer. After the lows of last season, Klopp has done exceptionally well to rebuild Liverpool’s team in such a short space of time and is leaving behind a strong squad for Slot to inherit.

Barring any surprises or tempting offers, Liverpool should maintain most of their squad. Mohamed Salah’s links with a move to Saudi Arabia will likely resurface but Liverpool expect to keep their star man next season. Salah, Alexander-Arnold and Van Dijk’s contracts all expire in 2025 so the club will also be looking to sort their futures out over the next few months to keep them alongside an exciting group of younger players.

SELL/ GO: Thiago, Joel Matip, Darwin Nunez, Cody Gakpo, Adrian, Calvin Ramsey, Sepp Van Berg, Fabio Carvalho, Rhys Williams.

Darwin Nunez might be one to keep an eye on, as a reasonable offer could mean the club would contemplate a sale. Liverpool fans have been forced to be patient with the Uruguayan, and there is still hope that he can come good, but following another season full of inconsistency and wasted chances, frustration is growing amongst the fanbase and an exit makes sense.

Thiago, Joel Matip and Adrian will all see their contracts expire at the end of the season and there has been no suggestion that the club are looking to renew them either. Thiago can certainly be categorised as a ‘what might have been’ for Liverpool. Despite moments of quality, particularly two seasons ago, the Spaniard is far too injury prone and has missed over 100 games since joining from Bayern Munich in 2020.

The same can be said for Joel Matip, who has missed 140 games since joining from Schalke in 2016. Matip has been a considerable servant to the club and was one of Klopp’s earliest signings so his departure certainly won’t be viewed with regret, unlike Thiago’s. Several fringe and loan players should also depart, most notably Fabio Carvalho. The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Hull and has struggled to work his way into Liverpool’s starting lineup after joining from Fulham. There are no reports linking him with a move away, but Liverpool can certainly move him on for a reasonable fee.

The biggest departure from Liverpool this season could be Cody Gakpo. After impressing at the World Cup, Liverpool thought they had pocketed a bargain when they signed him for just £35 million. However, Gakpo is often seen as Liverpool’s fifth choice attacker and he has struggled to consistently make a positive impact. Liverpool already have a formidable attack, so cashing in on at least one of their five forwards makes sense.

SIGN: Ousmane Diomande, Lutsharel Geertruida, Crysencio Summerville, Joao Palhinha.

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Liverpool do not need to go crazy this summer but there are some key areas where they could do with some back-up, particularly in defence. With Joel Matip departing, Liverpool will need to look at bringing in another centre-back. Sporting Lisbon’s Ousmane Diomande more than fits the bill. He is extremely quick, is comfortable in possession and is still only 20 years old. He was first linked with a move to Anfield when there was talk of Ruben Amorim succeeding Klopp, and despite Slot being the preferred option, Liverpool should not drop their interest in the Ivorian defender who looks destined for the top.

Trent Alexander-Arnold could potentially make a permanent move into midfield and that would make a right-back a priority. Feyenoord’s Lutsharel Geertruida has shown promise under Slot this season and he could be a shrewd and swift bit of business if the club go into the market for a right-back. If one of Liverpool’s attackers depart, Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville could be a sound option. If one of Nunez or Gakpo departed, the fee pocketed would more than likely be higher than the amount needed to pry Summerville away from Leeds, especially if they stay in the Championship.

Another suggestion is Fulham’s Joao Palhinha. There’s no denying Liverpool need a quality defensive midfielder, with their title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City possessing two of the best in Rodri and Declan Rice this season. Both have been transformative figures for their side and if Liverpool are to go one step further under Slot next season, Palhinha would greatly improve them.