What future holds for six Liverpool stars whose contracts expire in summer
Much has been made of Liverpool's transfer plans this summer and whether Jurgen Klopp will be able to entice some huge names to Anfield as the Reds aim to improve next term.
The Liverpool boss recently discussed his side's plans for the upcoming window and how they will operate financially as he warned the Reds risk being outpriced in the race for some of their targets, but insisted he maintains confidence deals can be struck.
"We cannot buy the player then. If they are overpriced we cannot do it. But we will bring in players, I am pretty sure we will bring in the players we want and those who will help us. I am pretty confident of that," Klopp told reporters.
There will certainly be plenty of room for them, given Liverpool are set to lose a number of key players who have reached their end of their respective contracts.
Mirror Football has identified six Reds' stars nearing the end of their contracts and what the future holds for them.
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Roberto Firmino - Leaves
Roberto Firmino is set to leave Liverpool this summer (Getty Images)A certified Liverpool legend and the longest serving member of the current crop, Firmino's Anfield stay is nearly over after eight glorious years on Merseyside.
The Brazilian will bid farewell while boasting every major club honour on his CV, including Liverpool's first league title in three decades back in 2020.
Reflecting on the moment Firmino told him he would be leaving at the end of his deal, Klopp revealed: "He told me and then the only other thing he said is, ‘Now I want to bring this wonderful story to a positive end.’"
Just where next for Firmino remains unclear, but he has been touted with a return to his home country to see out his last days as a player.
Arthur Melo - Leaves
Arthur Melo will return to Juventus this summer (Getty Images)Surely one of the worst loan spells in Premier League history, Arthur signed for the Reds back in the summer and is yet to make a single league appearance.
His only Reds run-out came earlier on in the season during a 4-1 hammering at the hands of Napoli in the Champions League group stage.
The Brazil international all but confirmed he would be heading back to Turin in a recent interview with Goal, where he explained: "Hopefully I have an option to say goodbye in Liverpool by playing something, to say goodbye to my team-mates, the technical committee and the fans, who have been very good to me."
James Milner - Leaves
James Milner has enjoyed a trophy-laden spell with Liverpool but it is nearing its end (Getty Images)An incredible servant to Klopp's Liverpool, Milner's time at Anfield may be all but over if rumours are to be believed, but remarkably the 37-year-old may still have more to give the Premier League.
The versatile veteran is expected to join Brighton on a free transfer this summer, bringing an end to his eight years at Anfield.
It is a testament to Milner's quality that at his age, a number of Premier League clubs, including Liverpool's fierce rivals Everton were reportedly keen on landing his signature.
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Adrian - Leaves
Adrian is unlikely to be offered a new deal at Anfield (PA)The Spanish goalkeeper has had to deal with his fair share of critics during his time as a Liverpool player and in truth has quite the catalogue of errors.
As a result, it is unlikely that Klopp is in any great rush to extend Adrian's stay beyond the end of the former West Ham shot-stopper's current deal.
Given Caoimhin Kelleher has shown he is more than a capable deputy to Alisson and rumours of a new goalkeeper on the way, Adrian is unlikely to remain in Merseyside beyond this season.
Naby Keita - Leaves
Naby Keita is expected to leave Liverpool this summer (MB Media/Getty)Keita will go down as one of Klopp's most underwhelming signings as Liverpool boss, with the midfielder falling spectacularly short of his hefty £52million fee.
Since signing from Red Bull Leipzig in 2018, Keita has missed an astonishing 84 matches through his persistent injuries.
There's every chance he has already played his last game in a Liverpool shirt, given he hasn't been seen in the Premier League since late-February as a result of another injury.
Keita was the first Reds player to don the number eight shirt after Gerrard but has hardly done it justice. He has until the end of June to determine what's next for his club future.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Leaves
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is out of contract in the summer (Getty Images)The former Arsenal man has had moments of brilliance in a Liverpool shirt, but they have proved all too fleeting.
Oxlade-Chamberlain's fitness struggles have defined his Reds career and ultimately sparked his downfall. The former England international has not done anywhere near enough to be offered a new deal.
Brighton and former side Southampton have both been linked with Oxlade-Chamberlain ahead of the summer.
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