JURGEN KLOPP’S shock announcement that he will leave Liverpool at the end of the season has led to speculation as to which players may follow him out the door.
The German boss looked to be mid-way through rebuilding his squad and has the Reds sitting first in the league.
But he informed Liverpool he does not have the energy to see out the remaining years of his contract in November last year.
Klopp informed fans of his shock decision on Friday.
Talk has naturally turned to which players from the Klopp era could follow the boss in leaving Anfield this summer.
Virgil van Dijk opened the door to speculation over his future when he said he would like to see who replaces Klopp before committing his future to Liverpool.
READ MORE ON LIVERPOOL
So here’s a look at the players that could follow Klopp in leaving…
Virgil van Dijk
Van Dijk is the only player so far who has addressed his future in relation to Klopp’s.
The Liverpool captain was asked whether he would follow Klopp in quitting Liverpool at the end of the season and said: “That’s a big question. I don’t know.
“The club will have a big job on their hands. To replace not only the manager but the whole staff, there are so many things that will change.
Most read in Football
“I’m very curious which direction that will go in but when that will be announced we will see our situation. I can’t say much about it.
“Obviously it will be the end of Jurgen Klopp’s era. I am very glad that I am still part of it. That is why I don’t like to speak about it. I am still part of it.”
Mohamed Salah
Liverpool’s undoubted talisman was already subject to intense transfer speculation before Klopp made his shock announcement.
The winger was subject to several bids from Saudi clubs last summer – with some bids upwards of £150million.
At 31, Salah is entering the latter stages of his career and Liverpool will already have one eye on an eventual successor.
His 14 goals in 20 appearances in the league this season will be hard to replace, but an expensive Saudi transfer could represent the perfect opportunity for Liverpool to further rebuild their squad.
Alisson
At the club since 2018, Alisson is hardly a frontrunner to leave, with The Reds no doubt keen to hold onto him.
Despite turning 31 last year, Alisson is still the best keeper in the Premier League.
But, his rare status as a superstar goalkeeper could attract interest from Saudi should they look to make another landmark signing this summer.
Joe Gomez
Never a guaranteed starter at Liverpool, Gomez could look to leave in search of guaranteed minutes.
Gomez, 26, has stepped in when needed across the defence during Klopp’s reign and has been ably deputising for Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas at left-back of late.
He has been linked to the likes of West Ham and Newcastle in the past and could finally leave this summer in search of a new challenge.
Joel Matip
Joel Matip’s season ended in December when he suffered an ACL injury.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
A favourite under Klopp, he will be playing under a new manager at Liverpool when he finally completes the lengthy rehabilitation process for the injury.
At 32 now, Liverpool may look to cash in on the defender should an adequate offer arrive in the summer window.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
