Liverpool will be expected to conduct big changes to their playing squad this summer.
The futures of several key players remain up in the air – with question marks against the likes of Ibrahima Konate, Alisson Becker, Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones among others.
Arne Slot and Richard Hughes could opt to ring in the changes during the off-season in an attempt to get the team back on an even keel.
The Anfield club won the 2024/25 Premier League title and spent £450m in last summer’s transfer window. But that has been to little avail as the Dutchman’s outfit appear a long way short of their title-winning best.
Accordingly there will be consequences for underperforming players who are no longer meeting the required standard. Midfield is seen as a big area for improvement with Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch out of form and Jones set to be sold.
A big-name arrival in the shape of Eduardo Camavinga or Adam Wharton could solve a big problem in the middle third. And if more players are added to the midfield sector it risks having a knock-on effect on several more hopefuls.
Luca Stephenson to be squeezed out
Luca Stephenson for example is one player who was thought to be close to a breakthrough on Merseyside.
Having spent two seasons out on loan at Dundee United – where he has developed a strong reputation – the 22-year-old might have hoped to return to the AXA Training Centre this summer with a point to prove.
The midfielder-cum-right-back inked a new deal before heading to the SPFL last year and was even linked with an emergency return from his loan in January when times were tough at Anfield.
Alas it looks like Stephenson accepts his future is likely to lie away from Anfield with Richard Hughes set to cash in for a decent fee this summer.
Celtic – and in particular Rangers – were in the running to sign the ex-Sunderland youth and the possibility of another loan was also briefly on the cards.
Stephenson set for Championship move
But now it seems the Glasgow giants will spurn the opportunity to sign Stephenson – whose transfer destiny could now lie in the English second tier instead.
According to a report in Football Insider several Championship teams are in the frame for Stephenson – who can play centre midfield as well as wing-back.
“Luca Stephenson has emerged as a top target for multiple Championship clubs alongside Rangers this summer,” the report reads.
“A number of clubs in Scotland have been keeping tabs on him, but English Championship sides are now seen as the favourites to get a deal over the line.”
It will be intriguing to see where Stephenson’s next move lies.
Plenty of Liverpool fans have been impressed by Stephenson in Scotland this season – where he has even captained the Tangerines in a league match.
His season is now at an end due to a hamstring injury – but he will recover in the off-season before securing what looks to be a permanent move away from Anfield.
