Liverpool manager Arne Slot has confirmed the club will need to offload players this summer in order to finance new arrivals, following their Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.
The Reds suffered a comprehensive 4-0 aggregate defeat to the French champions, with Tuesday night's 2-0 home loss sealing a disappointing end to their European campaign.
The result ensures Liverpool's season will conclude without silverware, a stark contrast to their title triumph under Slot just twelve months ago.
With domestic league football now their sole focus, the club sits fifth in the Premier League with six matches remaining.
Mohamed Salah is already leaving Liverpool at the end of the season
|REUTERS
Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will both depart Anfield this summer as free agents, bringing an end to nine years of service for each player.
The Egyptian forward's exit was announced last month, whilst Scottish left-back Robertson confirmed his own farewell last week.
Robertson is understood to be in advanced discussions with Tottenham regarding a move, dependent upon Spurs maintaining their top-flight status.
Their departures follow the loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid on a free transfer when his contract expired last summer.
Slot acknowledged the significance of these exits, telling Prime Video: "Now we are losing Mo and Andy Robertson on a free transfer as we lost Trent."
Arne Slot is under immense pressure at Liverpool after a torrid campaign
|REUTERS
The Liverpool boss emphasised that the club's financial model necessitates player sales before new acquisitions can be made.
"Much has been said that the club is in a transition. The club has sold eight to 10 players to make money to sign five or so very talented players. We have to sell to buy," Slot told Amazon Prime.
Despite last summer's record-breaking £450 million outlay, which brought Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to Merseyside, the Dutchman remains optimistic about what lies ahead.
"As I said many times, the future looks very good, especially if we can sign players after good players leaving this summer," he added.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney, working as a pundit for Amazon, took issue with Slot's characterisation of the situation.
Players are likely to leave Liverpool this summer including Curtis Jones
|REUTERS
"I think you're talking about rebuilds... they were champions last season," Rooney remarked. "You shouldn't be talking about a rebuild when you've just won the Premier League."
Questions persist over the futures of several first-team players, with Ibrahima Konate's contract expiring this summer, though reports suggest the centre-back may agree fresh terms.
Curtis Jones and Alexis Mac Allister have both been linked with potential moves away from Merseyside.
Slot himself faces scrutiny over his position, though the club's ownership are expected to grant him another season.