Michael Edwards is expected to return to Liverpool in a new senior role with the club’s owners, Fenway Sports Group, but which players may depart this summer?
Edwards quit his position as Liverpool’s first sporting director in May 2022 and then took a break from football.
The 44-year-old turned down a Chelsea offer in order to stay out of the spotlight in football.
However, the former Reds transfer chief will return to Liverpool this summer, albeit not in the same manner as before.
Instead, Edwards will become the CEO of Football for Liverpool’s owners, FSG, beginning in June.
It does, however, imply that he will have authority over the Reds’ football operations, which would undoubtedly include a significant amount of involvement in transactions with the club’s soon-to-be-appointed sports director and manager.
Here are four players that could depart the club this summer, including an unexpected surprise.
Kosta Tsimikas
Kostas Tsimikas, Liverpool’s second-choice left-back, has done a fine job filling in for Andrew Robertson after the Scot sustained a shoulder injury.
However, after recovering from his own injury, Jurgen Klopp has frequently favored Robertson and Joe Gomez in the role.
With three years remaining on his contract, Edwards and Liverpool may try to cash in on the 27-year-old to fund further team additions.
Caoimhin Kelleher
Caoimhin Kelleher has been one of Liverpool’s standout players in recent weeks as he fills in for the injured Alisson.
Fans have long believed that the Republic of Ireland player could be a top Premier League goalkeeper, and he is currently playing that position until Alisson returns in early April.
Liverpool’s concern is that Kelleher may refuse to accept a bench role whenever the Brazilian returns. At 25 years old, the Irishman will undoubtedly want to take on a starting role, whether at Liverpool or elsewhere.
Selling Alisson, perhaps the finest goalkeeper in the world in 2023, seems inconceivable, therefore Kelleher may be the one to go.
Rhys Williams
Rhys Williams was an important cover for Liverpool’s injury-plagued defence in the 2020/21 season.
He was loaned out to Championship club Swansea the next season, but he made no mark there, nor at Blackpool when he spent the 2022/23 season at Bloomfield Road.
Williams then joined Scottish Premiership team Aberdeen at the start of the season, but failed to make an appearance before being recalled in January.
And, after an injury cut short his loan term at League One club Port Vale, leaving him without any games, the 23-year-old is set to move permanently in the summer.
Mohamed Salah
This is not what Liverpool fans want to hear, but selling Mohamed Salah could make sense for the Reds if the Saudi Pro League lifts its most recent astounding £200 million bid for the Egyptian this summer.
Salah, 32, will reach the final 12 months of his contract in June, and there is currently no sign that he will renew.
Can Liverpool turn down a sum of money that would allow them to sign one or two world-class replacements, particularly if the deal is completed early in the window?
