Liverpool plan to axe Gakpo, Gomez, Mac Allister and Chiesa in summer clear-out

Liverpool may rid themselves of some regular players in a summer clear-out.

Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, Arne Slot, Liverpool, 2026

Liverpool are planning to axe Cody Gakpo, Joe Gomez, Alexis Mac Allister and Federico Chiesa in a clear-out this summer, reports The Sun.

The Reds have failed spectacularly in attempts to retain last season’s Premier League title. After five wins on the spin at the beginning of the season, bad results began to seep in and have come far too often this season.

Liverpool are currently fifth in the Premier League, 21 points below leaders Arsenal with seven games to play, and Champions League qualification is not a certainty.

There is pressure on Arne Slot as a result and there’s an acceptance that change is needed an Anfield – whether Slot stays or goes, some players will be culled.

The Sun reports Liverpool are planning a summer clear-out including some of the players who have underwhelmed this campaign.

They state Gakpo, Gomez, Mac Allister and Chiesa will all be made available for transfer, while there’s uncertainty over the future of Curtis Jones, and Andy Robertson is set to leave on a free transfer.

Following the announcement that Mohamed Salah will be leaving the club in the summer, the Liverpool squad could have a very different look to it next season.

Liverpool change hasn’t been great

But with that could come some issues. When Slot joined Liverpool ahead of the 2024-25 season, his squad was largely unchanged from the successful one built by Jurgen Klopp, with Chiesa the only man added to the mix.

Liverpool then won the Premier League by 10 points and it would have been more had they not let their foot off the gas.

Then, over the summer, seven players were signed and Giorgi Mamardashvili entered the squad following his loan to Valencia.

But the goalkeeper has rarely played, Alexander Isak has underwhelmed massively when he’s not been injured, Florian Wirtz started slow, Jeremie Frimpong has been burdened by injuries, Giovanni Leoni has missed most of the season and Milos Kerkez has not been the player he was at Bournemouth.

Hugo Ekitike is the only new signing who’s been consistently impressive since heading to Anfield.

If there is to be big change against at Anfield over the summer, what has gone on this season means there is no guarantee things will change for the better.

In any case, if all of the aforementioned players are to be moved on, then there will be signings made to replace them.

There is already interest in a few of those players: it’s been suggested Chiesa could head back to Italy as a signing for Inter Milan, in a partial exchange to see Nicolo Barella head to Anfield.

Arne Slot is on the brink at Liverpool.

With  Arne Slot on the ropes at  Liverpool following a humbling defeat to  Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, his ‘perfect’ replacement has been identified.

Slot’s side were put to the sword by PSG in their Champions League quarter-final on Tuesday as goals from Desire Doue and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia secured a 2-0 win for the Ligue 1 giants which flattered Liverpool on a night in which they were completely outplayed by the hosts.

The Reds also sit 21 points behind league-leaders Arsenal in a limp defence of their Premier League table.

Recent reports have suggested Liverpool are prepared to replace Slot in the summer unless they see some encouragement before the end of the season, while there are also rumours the Dutchman could resign instead.

It was claimed on Wednesday that FSG are beginning to ‘accept’ that the Liverpool fans’ relationship with Slot may never heal after their poor season.

Football Insider wrote: ‘Liverpool’s owners Fenway Sports Group have accepted that they may have to sack manager Arne Slot this summer amid a “disconnect” with the fans.

READ MORE: Slot sack unavoidable as six damaging quotes on tactics, ‘attacking football’, Salah and Barnsley resurface

‘There are fears among the hierarchy at Anfield that the atmosphere among the supporters is leaning towards becoming “toxic,” and there is an acceptance that sections of the support have turned against the Dutchman for good.

‘The club hierarchy are determined to avoid the feeling around the club worsening any further, and as a result, they are prepared to sack Slot at the end of the season if it is clear that there is no way back for him.’

Xabi Alonso is the heavy favourite to take over at Anfield should Slot be shown the door, but World Cup winner Marco Materazzi has named ex-Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca as the “perfect” replacement.

Materazzi told Hajper: “Can Enzo Maresca make Real Madrid into champions again? Yes, why not!

“He speaks very good Spanish because he was at Sevilla, but I think Maresca also has a good opportunity to get a job in the Premier League for next season too.

“Newcastle United? Not for me. Manchester United would be a good move for Maresca but he’s too connected to Manchester City to make that happen.

“I think Liverpool would be the best fit for Enzo Maresca. He is the perfect coach to lead a rebuild at Liverpool to create a new vision for the team.”

The atmosphere at Anfield has reportedly reached a boiling point as Dominik Szoboszlai is said to be pushing for an immediate departure following a heated internal clash. What initially appeared to be a routine disagreement has now spiraled into a full-blown dressing room crisis — leaving new head coach Arne Slot in an increasingly difficult position

According to sources close to the club, tensions had been quietly building over the past few weeks. With Liverpool undergoing a significant transition after the departure of Jürgen Klopp, uncertainty around roles, tactics, and leadership has created underlying friction within the squad. Szoboszlai, one of the team’s most high-profile midfielders, is believed to have grown frustrated with both his tactical usage and the evolving structure under Slot.

The situation reportedly escalated during a recent training session, where a confrontation between Szoboszlai and members of the coaching staff turned heated. Witnesses claim voices were raised, emotions ran high, and the disagreement quickly drew attention from teammates. While the exact details remain undisclosed, the fallout appears serious enough to have triggered the Hungarian international’s desire to leave the club immediately.

For Arne Slot, the timing could not be worse. Still in the early stages of his tenure, Slot is tasked with rebuilding not only Liverpool’s tactical identity but also maintaining harmony within a squad adjusting to life after Klopp. Losing a key figure like Szoboszlai — especially under controversial circumstances — could significantly disrupt those plans.

Inside the dressing room, reactions are said to be mixed. Some players reportedly sympathize with Szoboszlai’s frustrations, acknowledging the challenges of adapting to a new system. Others, however, are believed to be fully backing the coaching staff, emphasizing the need for unity during a period of transition. This divide only adds further complexity to an already delicate situation.

From a broader perspective, Szoboszlai’s potential exit raises important questions about Liverpool’s immediate future. The club has long been admired for its strong dressing room culture and unity — values that were central during Klopp’s era. If cracks are beginning to show now, it could signal deeper issues that require urgent attention.

At the same time, it’s worth noting that moments like these are not uncommon during major transitional phases. New managers often bring different philosophies, and not every player adapts seamlessly. Whether this situation represents a temporary conflict or the beginning of a larger unraveling remains to be seen.

For Szoboszlai, the decision ahead is crucial. Walking away now could open new opportunities elsewhere, but it also risks leaving unfinished business at one of Europe’s biggest clubs. For Liverpool, the challenge is clear: resolve the conflict swiftly or face the consequences of losing both stability and momentum.

As tensions continue to rise, one question lingers: is this just a storm that will pass — or the start of a deeper crisis at Anfield?