Liverpool defensive REBUILD begins with sale of these three players

Liverpool are looking at a significant transfer shakeup this summer. We could see several current squad members depart as sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot eye upgrades.

There is uncertainty in particular around the Reds’ defensive options. Trent Alexander-Arnold has confirmed he is leaving while Andy Robertson is out of contract in 2026.

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At 31, and some way off his best this season, the legendary Scotsman could be on his last legs at Anfield.

Ibrahima Konate too is under scrutiny with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain ready to take advantage of a contract which expires in just one year.

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Liverpool’s fringe men too could be sold. We have seen significant transfer interest in Jarell Quansah recently while bids could also be heard for Kostas Tsimikas and Joe Gomez.

Given those three have made only 17 Premier League starts between them all season long, Arne Slot’s defensive options would not be degraded too much if they were to leave.

Moreover, with Richard Hughes sticking to his guns over player valuations, those three could well generate plenty of transfer income which could be used on new arrivals.

Quansah, Gomez and Tsimikas could be offloaded

Quansah signed a new long-term deal last year and given his age (22) and his homegrown status, he could earn the club decent sums in the transfer market.

Newcastle and Everton are among the Premier League teams listed as interested in the England squad member. It was recently reported that £30m wouldn’t be enough to sign Quansah so let’s assume he could command £35m to £40m this summer.

Gomez has started just six games in the league this season. He was initially out of favour under Slot but did provide some cover when needed. Sadly, a hamstring injury ended his season early and the 27-year-old’s future is now in some doubt.

Liverpool were ready to sell him last summer - to either Newcastle or Aston Villa - and £45m was the mooted price point. Gomez is under contract until 2027 and is a well-established Premier League performer with two league winner’s medals in his cabinet.

He probably couldn’t go for £45m one year on - and with significant injury trouble behind him once again - but Hughes should be aiming for £35m or so before considering an exit.

And Tsimikas has been linked with both Olympiacos and Fulham. With Liverpool keen to do business in the left-back area, there is not going to be space for Robertson, a new arrival and the Greece international.

At 28 and with two years left on his contract, Liverpool should be optimistic of securing at least £30m for the defender this summer.

Huijsen, Kerkez and Aina in?

Just those three exits alone could give Liverpool £100m extra to spend in the upcoming window. And we know where £95m of that could go straight away.

Liverpool are known to be interested in Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez of Bournemouth. Huijsen, 20, is on the shopping list of several top clubs and boasts a £50m buyout in his contract. Kerkez, meanwhile, could go for £45m.

That means Liverpool get two solid, long-term options in defence for the price of three reserves and still have £5m left over. Where could that go?

Perhaps part of it could be used as a signing-on package for free agent Ola Aina at right-back.

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The Nottingham Forest defender is out of contract in summer 2025 and has been in sensational form as his side chase Europe.

He’s also got several top clubs on his case - including Chelsea - but could well be a viable first-team option at Liverpool with Alexander-Arnold leaving.

So that leaves Van Dijk standing tall at centre-back with Huijsen in tandem. On the left we have Kerkez and on the right, Aina. All for the price of three players who are expendable for one reason or another.

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This is the Quansah - Gomez - Tsimikas-funded defensive rebuild that leaves money available elsewhere for upgrades.