Liverpool must make firm decisions over two talented players who risk spending another campaign on the fringes.
Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa have both publicly expressed happiness at Anfield, but competition for attacking and midfield places could leave them with limited opportunities under Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool have already added Jérémy Jacquet and Víctor Muñoz, while their priority remains signing another high-level winger.
The Reds still need useful squad depth following Mohamed Salah’s departure and several injury problems, but retaining players without a realistic pathway to regular football would help neither the club nor their careers.
Doubts over the future of two Liverpool players remain
According to The Athletic, Elliott and Chiesa remain unusual cases within Liverpool’s transfer plans.
Both want to stay, yet Iraola must decide whether either player offers qualities that justify a meaningful role in his new system.
Elliott has returned from a disappointing Aston Villa loan determined to earn a second chance, but competition from Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai and other midfielders makes regular starts difficult.
Chiesa also faces a crowded attacking department, and Liverpool’s pursuit of another winger would push him further down the order.
Liverpool could still need them because Elliott provides creativity between the lines, while Chiesa offers pace and experience across both wings.
However, occasional substitute appearances may not be enough to keep either satisfied.
Reds need to make a decision soon on Elliott & Chiesa
TEAMtalk has reported that Elliott could attract interest from Crystal Palace if he fails to convince Iraola, while Chiesa continues to have admirers in Italy.
Those links give Liverpool alternatives, but interested clubs may wait until later in the window before making offers, hoping the Reds lower their demands.
Elliott deserves a genuine opportunity during pre-season because his technical ability could suit Iraola’s fast, combination-based football.
Chiesa’s situation looks more difficult, especially if Liverpool complete another major winger signing.
Liverpool should not force either player out, but clarity is essential. Selling them for sensible fees could create wages and funds for priority additions, while holding onto both without offering regular minutes would only delay an inevitable decision.
Liverpool make Cody Gakpo decision amid rising interest from Premier League rivals
These players need to be sold and now – Hughes wake up!
Tsimikas; Frimpong; Elliott; Chiesa; Jones; McAllister; Gapko.
We need a partner for VVD. We need a right fullback and a left fullback. We need an enforcer number 6; we need a right and left winger and we need a back up forward for Isak whilst Ekitike recovers (probably someone like Fernandez Pardo can cover two of those positions).
Get to it Hughes you have four weeks left to complete all that business.
Anything short of what has just been explained is just not good enough for LFC to assist Iraola in succeeding. YNWA.
And exactly who are these six players you think Liverpool need to sign to replace the seven you’d let go? Curious to learn your tactical masterplan and exactly how much expenditure will be outlaid.
I agree with selling Gakpo. He has been a good servant to the club but is lacking that final spark. Limited pace, predictable and inconsistent in front of goal. Use that money towards getting in Barcola and he could also deputise upfront for Etitike, so no need to buy another forward, he could also play on the right to allow more game time for Rio. The sale of Jones would help go towards bringing in either Scott or Wharton in midfield which we really need. I would keep Elliot, Endo and Chiesa as the squad depth is lacking since Slott sold the vast majority of Klopp’s kids. Regarding the defence, Selling Tsimikas and using that money towards getting Spence (who has loads of pace and can really play anywhere along the back line) would be good, and possibly using Gakpo as part of any deal may make it easier. Even though he has a big clause this year I would also consider getting Quansah back, as he can play right back or centre back, but I think he’s coming next summer. I would keep McAllister, he showed in the World Cup he is a good player and just didn’t get to grips with Slott’s mundane style of football, Iriola will get the best out of him as he will with Frimpong (look what he did for Kerkez when at Bournemouth).
Lewis Hall is the best left back in the country at the moment. Good on the ball, good going forward and dominant enough to defend the back post