Richard Hughes has seen enough: Eight players will go in summer clear-out

It looks like Liverpool will be conducting another major transfer overhaul in summer.

Several title-winning players left last summer to make way for £450m worth of new signings. Those changes have of course affected continuity at Anfield - with Arne Slot struggling for the right solutions.

But the formula could be repeated again under sporting director Richard Hughes.

Because a report from the Athletic suggests as many as eight players in and around the first team are at risk of leaving in summer 2026.

Five defenders to leave - including Konate

“Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson are both set to be out of contract at the end of this season and have yet to decide on their next steps, while Calvin Ramsay is expected to look for a move,” the report reads.

“Academy graduate [Rhys] Williams is also expected to end his long stay with the club when his contract expires in June.

Time up for Jones and Salah too

“There’s also the uncertainty around [Joe] Gomez and [Curtis] Jones, who have just over a year left on their contracts, as well as potential changes ahead for Mohamed Salah, who will be in the same situation at season’s end and turns 34 in June.

“A parting of ways with Federico Chiesa could also suit all parties, given his continued status on the periphery of Arne Slot’s squad.”

Liverpool making space for new faces

Konate is under contract until 2026 and although there are hopes for a new deal to be agreed it looks more likely that the 26-year-old will be leaving.

Robertson meanwhile makes £160k per week and it would be a surprising move if Hughes signed off a renewal for a reserve left-back on those wages.

It’s been made clear to Ramsay meanwhile that he does not figure in Arne Slot’s plans - with the Dutchman usually practically anyone else who is fit and available at right-back over the Scot.

Williams meanwhile is very much a reserve - featuring for the club’s under-21s this season and frozen out of the first-team picture completely.

Gomez - under contract until 2027 - may well be sold to raise money for new arrivals with Richard Hughes having listened to offers for the 28-year-old over the last few windows.

In a similar boat is Jones - who has been unable to nail down a starting role under Arne Slot and would generate plenty of “pure profit” if he were to be sold before his 2027 contract expiry.

Then there’s the big one - Mo Salah. With another year and a bit left to go on his £400k per week wages Liverpool have been suggested as willing to cash in so long as the right bid from Saudi Arabia or MLS materialises.

Chiesa was tipped for a winter return to Italy where Juventus and Napoli were interested but neither side could make the deal work owing to the 28-year-old’s wages. That could all change in summer as it looks inevitable the Italian forward will be sold.

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