Liverpool’s season has not gone according to plan as they are set to end the league outside the top four if things stay as they currently are on the Premier League table.
The Reds have rediscovered their form in the business end of the season but the poor display prior to that has seen them sit fifth on the table.
The club feels it’s time to move on from certain players if they want to compete for silverware next season and four players will not be offered contract extensions when they expire at the end of this season.
Roberto Firmino
The Brazilian joined Liverpool in 2015 and formed a formidable trio with Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah that terrorized defences and won everything there was to win from the Champions League to the Premier League, FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and the Club World Cup.
Firmino, who has played 214 times and scored 57 goals for Liverpool refused to sign a contract extension a few months ago so he will leave at the end of the season and seek a new challenge.
James Milner
Milner signed from Manchester City on a free transfer in 2015 and quickly became an important member of Jurgen Klopp’s team. The 37-year-old has made 330 appearances and scored 26 goals for Liverpool. His contract expires next month and Brighton and Hove Albion are about to complete his signing.
Naby Keita
Keita joined Liverpool at a cost of £52.75 million from RB Leipzig in 2018 but he has not fulfilled his potential as he has suffered several injuries that have kept him out of action. The 28-year-old has made 129 appearances and scored 11 goals for the club but his contract which expires in June this year will not be extended.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Chamberlain joined Liverpool from Arsenal in 2017 for £35 million but like Keita, he has also struggled with injuries. He has made 146 appearances for the Reds and scored 18 goals but the club feels now is the right time to let him go.
All these players have won trophies with Liverpool and the club said they “will depart with our gratitude and appreciation for the contribution they have made” and will be “special acknowledgements” at Liverpool’s final home fixture of the season on Saturday against Aston Villa to bid them fare well.
