“Six Liverpool Players Who Could Be Set to Leave — Mohamed Salah Among Them”
Liverpool underwent a major squad revamp during the summer transfer window, with numerous players coming in and going out. Despite this, six members of the current Anfield roster appear unlikely to wear the red shirt again.
Arne Slot, supported by Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes, was given the freedom to reshape the first-team squad after only making one signing in his debut season. Taking over from legendary manager Jürgen Klopp in 2024, the Dutch coach seems set to part ways with several of Klopp’s long-time favourites. Unless there’s a dramatic change in the coming weeks, these six players’ time at Liverpool looks limited.
The most high-profile player potentially leaving in January is Mohamed Salah. While it would require a record-breaking transfer fee—and the thought of Salah departing just months ago would have been unthinkable—his public dispute with Slot in December has cast doubt on his long-term future. His brief appearance against Brighton before heading to AFCON hints at a possible reconciliation, but no definitive decision has been made. Among the six, Salah is the least likely to leave, yet his absence has left supporters uncertain.
Harvey Elliott seemed to have played his last match for the Reds after moving on loan to Aston Villa during the summer, a deal that included an obligation to buy if he reached a set number of appearances. However, discussions have emerged about him returning this winter, as Unai Emery has largely excluded him from Villa’s matchday squads. Even if he does return, Slot does not appear to view him as a first-team option, meaning a permanent exit could still be on the cards.
Wataru Endo’s £16 million move from Stuttgart in 2023 raised eyebrows. The Japanese midfielder was signed after Liverpool missed out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, and he was a Klopp favourite. Under Slot, however, Endo has seen limited opportunities, sitting behind Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones, and even Trey Nyoni in the midfield pecking order. Currently sidelined by an injury that will keep him out until the new year, Endo has been linked with a possible departure.
Stefan Bajcetic had generated high expectations after breaking through during Liverpool’s disappointing 2022-23 campaign under Klopp. Originally a centre-back, he impressed as a central midfielder. Loan spells at RB Salzburg and Las Palmas have so far prevented him from featuring under Slot, and that situation seems unlikely to change soon. Fans were hopeful about seeing more of the former Celta Vigo youth product, but a serious hamstring injury has kept him out for several months.
Kostas Tsimikas, one of Salah’s close friends at Anfield, left on a season-long loan to Roma in the summer. The Greek left-back had been a reliable backup to Andy Robertson since joining in 2021, but Milos Kerkez’s arrival pushed him further down the hierarchy. Despite making 18 Premier League appearances last season, Tsimikas was deemed surplus to requirements during the squad overhaul. At 29, it’s difficult to envision him returning to Slot’s plans, even if he does not join Roma permanently.