Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has decided to leave Anfield at the end of the season – and his departure is expected to prompt more departures.
The German tactician took over as the Reds' manager in October 2015 and has since formed a very close bond and relationship with everybody at the club, with his announcement met with some crying eyes.
With the influence he has on the players, it is believed that some big-name stars may want to follow suit as their future at the club is now very uncertain, giving that a new manager would arrive this summer.
So, We’ve taken a look at some of the players who might leave the club.
1) Virgil van Dijk
I really feel that the big veteran defender who joined Liverpool in January 2018 and has been an integral part of the club success, would leave this summer. He has helped his side to their first Premier League trophy in 30 years, also helping the club win the FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA World Club Cup.
The former Southampton man replaced Jordan Henderson as club captain last summer, after the English man left for Saudi Arabia, but there are doubts over his future.
The Netherlands international was brought in by Klopp and having won everything possible for the club and due to the imminent departure of Klopp, could leave for new adventures. There are clubs who would love to sign the 32-year-old and so he wouldn't be short of options.
2) Joel Matip
Matip was one of the signings of Jurgen Klopp's era, having joined the club in 2016 as a free agent. He has since served the club well, but would have been more influential for the club if he had no constant injury worries.
However, at 32, I expect him to move this summer as I don't see him to be the kind of player that any new Liverpool manager would want to use regular. A younger squad would probably be formed, and younger players preferred.
3) Nat Phillips
Phillips was used by Klopp during a period of injury crisis in the 2020/21 season, but couldn't nail down a regular place in the squad once the whole team was fit.
The centre-back is behind Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahim Konate, Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Jarell Quansah in the pecking order and has been reportedly linked with a move this summer.
4) Andy Robertson
Robertson was nothing less than a gem of a signing. The Scotland international was known for little or nothing when he joined Liverpool from Hull City in the summer of 2017, but went on to become one of the best left-backs the division has ever seen.
While he has been very reliable, the defender has shown signs of slowing down in the last 18 months and a new manager may look to bring a younger player to take his position.
5) Thiago Alcantara.
Probably the most certain departure in this list. The Spanish midfielder joined Liverpool in 2020, at the back of a treble winning campaign with German Bundesliga side Bayern Munich in the 2019/20 season.
Expectations were high when he sealed a £25million move to Liverpool, but we only got to see glimpses of what he could do and hoped for more, but they never actually came. Series of injuries kept the 32-year-old on the sideline, with his injury-prone body now getting weaker and weaker.
With Klopp set to leave at the end of this season, the Spanish midfielder has been said to be one of the players that would depart, as he is no longer wanted at the club beyond this season.