It’s a new dawn at Liverpool as Arne Slot runs the rule over his squad this summer and several fringe players could be shown the door… but who are the youngsters and bit-part first teamers that might make way?

Liverpool are set to have a relatively quiet summer with Arne Slot inheriting a squad in good health, requiring only minor surgery to achieve his stated ambitions of improving on last season’s third-place finish in the Premier League.

Unlike last summer, when major changes were needed to overhaul an aging and lackluster midfield, the new head coach knows he has a quality group of players to work with.

The Dutchman will want to assess all his options before making any drastic changes.

But that doesn’t mean there won’t be some spending this summer. New CEO of Fenway Sports Group Football, Michael Edwards, wants to be smart and there could be some permanent exits to raise cash, plus some loan moves.

Here, Mailsport looks at the fringe players who could leave permanently or on loan this summer, although in most cases Slot wants the chance to have the rule apply to each of them before sanctioning any exits…

A number of Liverpool players could leave if new boss Arne Slot takes charge this summer

Michael Edwards, CEO of football at FSG, is keen to act sensibly and spending is likely to occur

NAT PHILLIPS

Newly promoted Ipswich are one of several clubs keeping an eye on Nat Phillips following an impressive loan from Championship club Cardiff. The Welsh side are keen for him to return. Other second division clubs, plus German teams including Mainz, want to sign the defender.

Phillips has a cult following at Anfield after some fine performances in the 2021/22 season – when Liverpool’s defense was wiped out by injuries – but has struggled for game time since and has been loaned out three times, including to Bournemouth and Celtic.

His contract expires next summer and Liverpool value him at around €8 million. Regardless of the prize he goes for, he will leave Anfield with fond memories.

A host of clubs, including Premier League newcomers, are keeping an eye on Nat Phillips

BOBBY CLARK

The young midfielder earned rave reviews after several appearances as Liverpool struggled with injury last season and is attracting strong interest from clubs across Europe for a potential move this summer.

Norwich has been mooted as a potential destination with new director of football Ben Knapper keen on the 19-year-old, while former Liverpool assistant manager Pep Lijnders is a big fan and could take him to Red Bull Salzburg. Fellow Red Bull club Leipzig is also interested.

Youngster Bobby Clark received rave reviews when Liverpool were hit by injuries last season

ADRIAN

The 37-year-old has made just 26 appearances for Liverpool after five seasons at the club, but has played a big role in the camaraderie in the dressing room and as a coach to younger goalkeepers. Last month he was offered a new contract.

But the Spaniard is now set to join Spanish side Real Betis, returning to his hometown of Seville and the club where he spent 14 years to start his career. He will fill a homegrown spot at Estadio Benito Villamarin and is likely to take on coaching duties.

He joined Liverpool on a free transfer in 2019 and was a good servant, but now wants to finish his career in his homeland.

Veteran goalkeeper Adrian played just 26 games during his five seasons at Anfield

TYLER MORTON

RB Leipzig are leading the hunt for Tyler Morton after an impressive season on loan at Hull City – where he also established himself as a regular for England Under-21s – and several English sides are also interested in the midfielder, who Liverpool values ​​at £20 million.

Bournemouth, Southampton and Ipswich are among those, along with Atalanta, monitoring developments. Leipzig has done the first research and is leading the way.

In an interview with Mail Sport earlier this year, Morton said he idolized Steven Gerrard after turning down Everton’s decision to join the club as a child. Morton, 21, would love to stay at Anfield but competition for places in midfield is fierce.

RB Leipzig are leading the hunt for Tyler Morton after his stellar season on loan at Hull City

FABIO CARVALHO

Like Morton, he had a successful loan spell at Hull last season after joining them in January. Fabio Carvalho is now being courted by many in England and on the continent, with a growing list of interested suitors.

Those clubs include the former Fulham – where he first made his name – along with Southampton, Leicester and clubs in Germany, France, Spain and the Netherlands, most of which have qualified for European competition.

There is no interest yet and Liverpool are keen to take a close look at Carvalho in pre-season before sanctioning a departure. The midfielder is not desperate to leave and wants to prove to the new coaching staff that he deserves a place moving forward.

A growing list of candidates are interested in Fabio Carvalho, but he is not desperate for a move

CAOIMHIN KELLEHER

Nottingham Forest made a bid of around £15 million during the January transfer window, but it was quickly rejected by Liverpool. They were vindicated after he made an admirable substitution, with Alisson suffering a long-term layoff due to a hamstring injury.

Forest, led by former goalkeeper Nuno Espirito Santo, are still keen – as are a number of other clubs – but they could be put off by Liverpool’s valuation of up to £35 million. Forest are expected to sign Brazilian goalkeeper Carlos Miguel, which could end their pursuit of the Ireland international.

Liverpool would not stand in his way if Kelleher wanted to leave. He stated in an interview with The Athletic last month that he is ready to move on and look for regular playing time as No. 1. But the Reds will have to pay a large fee if he wants to leave this summer.

Liverpool would not stand in the way of goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher if he wants to leave

JAMES MCCONNELL

A host of Championship clubs are keen to loan James McConnell after an impressive breakthrough season for sixth-place Liverpool, including Hull, Blackburn and Derby.

With any of Liverpool’s potential loan deals, it’s worth bearing in mind which clubs they have good relationships with following previous transfers. For example, they have repeatedly loaned players to Bolton in recent years, most notably Conor Bradley.

After Tyler Morton and Fabio Carvalho both enjoyed impressive spells in East Yorkshire with Hull, the Tigers are another club Anfield holds in high regard for their playing style, although that could change after Liam Rosenior was sacked as manager.

A host of Championship clubs are keen to loan midfielder James McConnell

SEPP VAN DEN BERG

Liverpool value the defender at around £20m after an impressive year at Mainz, where he won several honours. Wolfsburg led the charge for the Dutchman as a potential replacement for Maxence Lacroix, who is set to leave.

Mainz would be keen to return if they are not deterred by his fee, with the club also keeping an eye on the aforementioned Phillips. Southampton are also keen to sign the defender, who is only 22.

After signing Liverpool from PEC Zwolle for £1.4 million in 2019, this would be great business if Liverpool were to get the asking price and prove how Liverpool use the loan market to grow value for their players.

Bologna are also interested in Van den Berg if Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori leaves as expected.

Liverpool value Sepp van den Berg at around £20m after an impressive year at Mainz

LUKE ROOMS

Another who had a good loan spell last season and impressed for League One team Wigan in the second half of the season. Chambers has interest from the Championship and some foreign clubs but, like many, will likely be assessed by Slot before any withdrawals are sanctioned.

The same goes for Ben Doak, who didn’t kick a ball after Christmas due to a worrying injury. Liverpool could decide that the Scot needs more regular football in the form of a loan, but he will likely be given the chance to impress in pre-season. Kaide Gordon is in a similar boat.

Luke Chambers stood out at Wigan last year and he has interest from the Championship

KOSTAS TSIMIKAS

It wouldn’t be a huge surprise if Kostas Tsimikas left Liverpool this summer after falling down the pecking order in the recently completed season, but the Greek left-back signed a new contract less than 12 months ago.

A possible departure would depend on the arrival of a club with a suitable offer. There are teams all over the continent keeping an eye on things. Liverpool would not force Tsimikas to leave if he is happy to stay and recognizes he is not a first choice.

There was interest from Bayern Munich in fellow left-back Andy Robertson, the Scotland captain, but that appears to have disappeared. The same goes for Joe Gomez. Saudi Arabian sides have been circling for about a year, but talks over the England full-back have stalled in recent weeks.

Kostas Tsimikas has fallen down the pecking order despite recently signing a new contract

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