Liverpool supporters are getting used to the notion that Mohamed Salah may be ready to leave the club in 2026.
The Egyptian has been far from his best this season, and although there are 18 months left to run on his contract, a feeling is growing that he could depart next year.
Another Liverpool legend with a year-and-a-half left on his deal is goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Recent reports have claimed that Alisson is likely to take an option to extend the end of his contract from 2026 to 2027, shutting down any talk of a potential exit.
The Reds last five Premier League results have Arne Slot under pressure. Should a loss at Leeds see him sacked?
However, journalist David Lynch has now cast doubt on this outcome, explaining that the one-year extension may only be to secure a transfer fee for Liverpool.
As Reds fans contemplate a future without Salah, it seems they may have to prepare for one without their ‘Holy Goalie’ sooner than expected as well.
Good chance Alisson Becker leaves Liverpool next summer
Liverpool’s decision to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili in 2024 hinted at the fact that the Reds were already planning for life after Alisson.
Since then, the Brazilian has missed 15 Premier League matches through injury, with Mamardashvili showcasing his talents as an understudy this season.
READ MORE: Caoimhin Kelleher says Arne Slot has dropped the hardest-working player at Liverpool
And according to Lynch, Liverpool supporters may well be seeing much, much more of the Georgian during the 2026/27 season.
“I think that [triggering a contract extension] could just be a protection to make sure they get the best fee.” the journalist told Anfield Index. “I don’t know, I just have this feeling around Alisson and have for a while that this might be his last season to be honest.
“You weigh in the fact that there’s been interest in him the last couple of summers, he has had real opportunities to perhaps leave. Age, where he’s up to now, the fact that they bought Mamardashvili so clearly with the idea of him being the number one eventually. It just feels like one to really, really keep an eye on coming into the summer.”
Liverpool can spend £100m in January if FSG are willing, who do you want to see signed? 💰
“Ultimately, if they want to spend £100m, there is nothing
stopping them. Whether they will or not is entirely down to the owners. They
have a £350m revolving credit facility – which you can basically liken to an
overdraft – that they can use if cash flow is tight. And if a blue-chip
centre-back is going to be the difference between qualifying for the Champions
League or not, it makes sense to pay a bit of a January premium and get a deal
done.”
Finance expert Adam Williams speaking to RTK about
Liverpool’s January transfer budget
“If they use that extension it would be to solely get themselves the best fee when they do sell. That one’s bubbling under the surface, really keep an eye on that one.”
Wataru Endo may leave Liverpool in January
As well as dropping a bombshell on the future of Alisson, Lynch looked at other potential Liverpool outgoings during the January transfer window.
The journalist named Wataru Endo as one player who could leave if an opportunity arises in the New Year.
“I was slightly surprised if I’m honest that Endo stuck around in the summer,” said Lynch. “I’ve not really heard anything or suggestions anyone’s looking at him in January but it could be something that just pops up when the window opens and someone might think they want that.
“You’d be amazed if he’s still here at the end of the next summer window at the very least. Perhaps there’s a possibility there that someone comes in in January, I think Liverpool would 100 per cent do it, I think the player himself would be keen if the move was right for him.”
Slot and Richard Hughes have already gone about taking a knife to Jurgen Klopp’s final Liverpool squad in the past few months. For better or worse, 2026 sounds like it is going to bring more of the same at Anfield.
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