Liverpool players out of contract – 2022/23
Liverpool are poised to embark on the mother of all rebuilds this summer after enduring an inexcusable season in the eyes of superstar winger Mohamed Salah.
Salah’s frustration spewed out onto Twitter at the end of the campaign after the club failed to secure a Champions League berth despite an impressive conclusion to 2022/23.
„We had everything we needed to make it to next year’s Champions League and we failed,“ tweeted Salah. „We are Liverpool and qualifying to the competition is the bare minimum.“
The Egyptian’s disappointment is a sentiment undoubtedly felt across the red side of the Mersey, and huge steps will undoubtedly be taken to ensure the Reds bounce back in 2023/24.
A summer of change is expected at Anfield, and that starts with a long list of players with expiring contracts departing.
|
Player |
Date joined |
2022/23 Apps |
Contract details |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Roberto Firmino |
24/06/2015 |
35 |
No option |
|
James Milner |
04/06/2015 |
43 |
No option |
|
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain |
31/08/2017 |
13 |
No option |
|
Naby Keita |
29/09/2017 |
13 |
No option |
|
Arthur Melo |
01/09/2022 |
1 |
End of loan |
|
Adrian |
05/08/2019 |
1 |
New contract reportedly agreed |
Firmino played such an instrumental role in the club’s rise under Jurgen Klopp, but the Brazilian bade an emotional farewell to Liverpool supporters at the end of the season after it was revealed he will not be extending his contract at Anfield.
While Klopp and the club were keen to tie Bobby down for a couple more years at least, Firmino is set to exit in favour of a new challenge.
A whole host of clubs are bound to be interested in the lucrative free agent, with recent reports suggesting Real Madrid are well in the hunt. Los Blancos could be in the market for a new striker immediately if Karim Benzema is swayed by the cash haven of Saudi Arabia.
Milner’s legs are still churning away at the ripe old age of 37, and the Englishman certainly isn’t done yet. However, his Liverpool career, one that started a few weeks before Firmino’s, has drawn to a close.
After notching a mightily impressive 43 appearances in 2022/23, Milner is set to join Brighton this summer as they enjoy their first venture into Europe.
The Seagulls are said to appreciate the versatile midfielder’s know-how and leadership, while it’s believed Klopp was keen on retaining the services of Milner beyond this summer despite Liverpool’s desperate need to reshape and rebuild their midfield.
The former Arsenal midfielder offered flashes on Merseyside, and there were times when it looked as if he’d forge quite the career with the Reds. However, persistent injuries rendered Oxlade-Chamberlain’s stint with Liverpool frustrating, and it’s no surprise he’s moving on this summer after drifting into the abyss.
The Reds have already confirmed the 29-year-old will leave the club following the expiration of his contract.
The player himself still believes he can compete at the highest level, and potential suitors will be emboldened by his free agent status.
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Liverpool thought they were signing one of Europe’s most dynamic midfielders in Naby Keita in 2017 (he eventually joined in 2018), but the Guinea international’s spell in the Premier League has been pretty disastrous.
Fitness woes compromised his time at Anfield, sure, but Keita rarely ever looked like the superstar that was emerging at RB Leipzig over in the Bundesliga. The midfielder won plenty during his five-year stay at the club, but rarely did he perform an important role in Liverpool’s success.
A departure from the Premier League is inevitable this summer after his exit was confirmed by the club, but where Keita ends up is anybody’s guess.
This has to go down as one of the worst loans in Premier League history, right?
Liverpool’s botched midfield rebuild last summer culminated in the temporary arrival of Juventus‘ Arthur Melo. The club grew desperate towards the latter stages of the transfer window and eventually stumbled upon the injury-prone metronome.
While Arthur is certainly more than competent on his day, he made just one first-team appearance in 2022/23 after picking up a thigh injury in October. He returned to action in February, but Klopp showed no trust in the loanee and the Brazilian rotted away on the bench as a result.
A return to Juventus is certain this summer, but his future in Turin is far from guaranteed.
Alisson enjoyed a superb season, and Adrian has since fallen behind Caoimhín Kelleher in the pecking order following the Irishman’s rise.
However, with Kelleher set to leave the club this summer in favour of regular minutes elsewhere, Liverpool have opted to retain the services of veteran shot-stopper Adrian.
The former West Ham keeper failed to make a single appearance in 2022/23 after he started Liverpool’s victory over Man City in the Community Shield.