Michael Edwards could be set for a busy summer in his first season back at Liverpool.
Now heading up the Reds’ transfer department, positioned above sporting director Richard Hughes, Edwards will again be looking to work his magic during a transfer window.
During his own stint as sporting director, the 44-year-old made a name for himself due to his impressive signings and ability to generate large fees for players on the fringes of the squad. His most eye-catching deal remains the £142million package deal negotiated to sell Barcelona Philippe Coutinho in January 2018.
There are several stars who could be sacrificed this summer in a bid to raise capital with Edwards having decisions to make – seven of which we have assessed below.
Luis Diaz – £75m
A sale not all supporters would be in favour of. Luis Diaz has been a strong performer for the club since arriving from FC Porto in January 2022, though saw progress halted by a serious knee injury suffered against Arsenal in October 2022.
Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain are two clubs to have been linked with the Colombian this summer, who may himself fancy the former in particular due to the appeal of a Spanish-speaking environment.
The Telegraph suggested in April Liverpool value Diaz at roughly £75m.
Caoimhin Kelleher – £25m
This is a departure that feels almost inevitable at this point. Stuck behind Alisson Becker in the goalkeeping pecking order at Anfield, the Republic of Ireland international has seemingly come to terms with the reality he will never be No.1 for as long as Alisson is on Merseyside.
Speaking to The Athletic on this topic, Kelleher said: “My main ambition is to be a No.1 and it would be great if that happened at Liverpool, but I’m not silly. I feel like I’ve done my years as a No.2. The ambition now is to be a No.1. I am ready and capable.”
Nottingham Forest saw a £15m bid rejected by the Reds during the winter window and fellow Premier League clubs are likely to come calling again this summer.
Manchester City’s sales of Gavin Bazunu and James Trafford will offer the Reds encouragement, the Sky Blues fetching upfront fees of £12m and £15m for two goalkeepers who never made a single appearance for the club.
Fabio Carvalho – £20m
The Portuguese playmaker enjoyed a hugely successful loan spell with Hull City during the second half of last season, scoring nine times and providing two assists in 20 Championship appearances.
Carvalho was never truly afforded the chance to shine under Klopp due to failing to fit him into the club’s system, so it will be interesting to see if opportunities arise in Slot’s favoured 4-2-3-1.
Liverpool, who paid £5m plus £2.7m in add-ons for the Fulham academy graduate, would easily make their money back if they decided to sell.
Sepp van den Berg – £20m
After four successive seasons spent out on loan, it is decision time for Sepp van den Berg.
Liverpool are certainly lacking in the centre-back area following Joel Matip’s summer exit, offering a potential route into the first-team for Van den Berg.
The Dutch defender enjoyed an encouraging spell with Mainz in 2023/24 and is attracting interest from the likes of Brentford, Southampton and Wolfsburg. Liverpool are believed to value the 22-year-old at £20m, potentially generating a healthy profit on the initial £1.3m spent on the 22-year-old five years ago.
Kostas Tsimikas – £15m
Supporters were convinced the Greek defender would be on the move this time last year after being seen in tears after the Reds’ final home game against Aston Villa, though Tsimikas was not part of the major squad shake-up witnessed.
He would then pen a new contract at the club in September, keeping him at Anfield until 2027, ending speculation over his future.
Were an offer in the region of £15m to be made for his services, though, it is one Liverpool would surely consider? With the likes of Owen Beck and Luke Chambers coming through the ranks, Slot has options in this area when in need of cover for Andy Robertson.
Nat Phillips – £10m
The English defender will forever be remembered for his role in helping the Reds secure Champions League qualification in unlikely fashion during the 2020/21 season, but is very much feels like the time has come for Phillips to move on for the sake of his career.
Liverpool rejected two bids for the 27-year-old in January 2022 as they held out for their £15m valuation. This figure may have dropped slightly since, though £10m would nonetheless reflect a fair price.
Phillips spent the first part of last season on loan at Celtic before ending 2023/24 in the Championship with Cardiff City.
Rhys Williams – £2m
Things have not worked out for Rhys Williams in more recent times after a succession of unsuccessful loan moves at Aberdeen, Swansea City, Blackpool and Port Vale.
That Williams still has two years remaining on his contract will help Liverpool when it comes to negotiating a transfer fee, but even Edwards will struggle to pull off a major sale in this case.