Keep or sell? Every Liverpool player rated as Arne Slot faces Luis Diaz and middle decisions

Liverpool should not need any radical changes in the transfer market this summer.

The basic level that already exists at Anfield is relatively high and Jurgen Klopp left in rare circumstances: with his side still up. However, there are ways that Arne Slot can still improve the team. A centre-back signing feels like a must this summer and another striker would be ideal; Meanwhile, a world-class midfielder would be excellent if such a player existed on the market.

In terms of signings, however, much will depend on the exits in terms of freeing up space and dictating what the most pressing requirements are. With that in mind, Liverpool.com applied the existing squad rule to see who could be let go either on loan or permanently.

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goalkeepers

Despite Saudi Arabia’s interest in Alisson Becker, the Brazilian will not be leaving. Liverpool, meanwhile, should do absolutely everything they can to keep up Caoimhin Kelleher.

The pair are equally good when it comes to the goalkeeping departments: the best in the world and the best second choice in the world, as Klopp once said. If Slot can convince Kelleher to stay, it would be a huge boost as signing a replacement will be next to impossible.

Defense

The only defensive player there should be a conversation around is Kostas Tsimikas. For much of last season, he was third choice at left-back as he was overtaken by Joe Gomez in the pecking order. If the Greek star wants more minutes, he will have to go elsewhere.

Beyond that, though, Liverpool can’t afford to lose any more bodies. Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold need new contracts, but more depth should be added in this area rather than being dropped following Joel Matip’s exit.

Middle

Similar to the defense, there’s only an argument for adding more bodies rather than losing someone. Adding another number six would be ideal, but Stefan Bajcetic should not be forgotten. An improvement can be expected from Dominik Szoboszlai, while Harvey Elliott will be hoping to bounce back.

The big question in the midfield is whether Slot wants to play with a double pivot or a single pivot. The latter would make more sense given the structure of the team he inherits and has played such a system before. Bobby Clark may need to go out on loan to get the regular senior minutes he needs to best serve his development.

Attack

This is where it gets interesting. There’s a legitimate case for selling any of Liverpool’s forwards, you might say. Luis Diaz is the smallest goal threat, so should Barcelona put a big enough offer on the table, the Reds should consider it. It might be possible to find a younger version, although it wouldn’t be cheap.

Darwin Nunez needs to start quickly to avoid being an inconsistent striker who misses more chances than he scores, but the Uruguayan isn’t going anywhere. The hope is that it clicks for him, but there could be more conversation about cashing in in 2025 if his production doesn’t improve.

Diogo Jota and Mohamed Salah are both clinical, but each comes with problems. Jota is injured too often and misses too many games, while Salah is in the last year of his contract and is now 32 years old. For either, a mega offer should be considered, but the chances of one arriving are slim.

The ideal scenario would be for Liverpool to add a sixth senior striker to their attack, with that player on the right-hand side to share minutes with Salah. That would leave Diaz and Cody Gakpo on the left, Jota and Nunez in the middle, and then Salah and a new option on the right.

If Diaz is going to leave, another left-handed striker should be brought in as well. The Colombian feels most likely to be sold right now, but that’s far from a guarantee. Currently, the Reds plan for him to stay put.