Liverpool planning midfield overhaul with three stars set for departures

With the return of Premier League football just four weeks away, managers will already be planning for their first matches after the World Cup break.

The English top flight is set to return on Boxing Day, although several Premier League sides will likely be in action prior to that, with the fourth round of the Carabao Cup scheduled to take place during the week commencing December 19.

The draw for the fourth round produced several intriguing ties, none more so than Liverpool against Manchester City, with the two sides set to once again renew their rivalry.

The Reds have already fallen behind their rivals this term in the league, but the Carabao Cup clash gives Jurgen Klopp’s side the chance to restore some pride.

Liverpool have already lost four times in the league so far this season, twice the amount that they lost during the entirety of last term.

With that in mind, it appears that Klopp is planning an overhaul next summer.

According to Football Insider, The Reds are set for huge changes in midfield.

The report claims that the Merseyside outfit will prioritise signing two new midfielders next year, with several names having already been linked with a move to the club.

The likes of Jude Bellingham and Declan Rice have been linked with a move to Anfield, although several other clubs will also be interested in the England pair.

Keita looks set to be on his way out of Anfield

Klopp is also ready to allow three of his current crop of midfielders to leave next summer.

James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are all set to be out of contract at the end of the current season, and The Reds will reportedly allow the trio to leave.

All three players have played nothing more than bit-part roles over the past few seasons, and Oxlade-Chamberlain and Keita are set to be let go with no hesitation.

The pair have both suffered severely with injuries during their respective Liverpool careers, and The Reds have no plans to keep either player.

Milner, however, could be offered a one-year contract extension, the report claims.

The ex-Leeds United man has played 19 times for Liverpool this season, although 13 of those have been substitute appearances.

If all three players were to depart, it would leave Liverpool with a lack of central midfielders.

Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Curtis Jones would be the only recognised central midfielders left, although the likes of Harvey Elliott have also been deployed in the role in the past.

Despite Keita reportedly being close to leaving the club, the report does also state that Liverpool were initially interested in agreeing a contract extension with the Guinea international.

The 27-year-old, who joined Liverpool from RB Leipzig in 2018, is believed to have refused a pay cut, though, which put an end to negotiations.