Four Liverpool stars set to leave club this summer

Liverpool will likely need to beat Aston Villa on Saturday to keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the Champions League next term.

The Reds appeared to have no chance of finishing in the Premier League’s top four six weeks ago, but a run of seven consecutive victories has lifted them up to fifth place, just a point behind fourth-placed Manchester United.

Despite their impressive form, United and third-placed Newcastle United both have a game in hand and can therefore secure their respective top four spots by winning two of their remaining three matches.

Regardless of whether or not Jurgen Klopp’s side do qualify for the Champions League next term, it appears that this summer will be an extremely busy one at Anfield.

A number of players have been linked with a move to Liverpool, and the club have now confirmed that four first team players will depart.

Liverpool confirmed on their official Twitter account that Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and James Milner will all leave the club when their respective contracts expire this summer.

Firmino, 31, joined the Reds from German side Hoffenheim back in 2015 and has since made 360 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 109 goals and registering 79 assists.

Firmino will leave Liverpool this summer after eight years with the club

The Brazil international played crucial roles as Liverpool won both the Champions League in 2019 and the Premier League the following year.

Milner, meanwhile, joined Liverpool from rivals Manchester City during the same window as Firmino, and has played 330 times for the Merseyside club.

The 37-year-old has remained a regular for Klopp’s side this term, but will depart Anfield this summer and is expected to join Brighton and Hove Albion.

In the summer of 2018, Keita arrived at Anfield from Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig, although the Guinea international’s time in England has been hampered by injuries.

The midfielder has missed more than 70 matches through injury since arriving on Merseyside, although he has made 129 appearances across all competitions.

Oxlade Chamberlain, 29, joined the club from Arsenal back in 2017 and has played a bit-part role for the club ever since.

This term, the ex-England international has made just 13 appearances across all competitions.

Liverpool will likely look to replace the quartet, with signing at least one central midfielder likely to be high on the club’s list of priorities this summer.