Liverpool currently face a period of great uncertainty amid ongoing speculation around the future of the club.

No one knows what the future will hold, with the wheels of a club takeover seemingly in motion.

One thing remains certain however: the midfield is set to undergo major surgery, whether it be in January or in the summer, as the department continues to age with some players facing an uncertain future.

There is a consensus among the Anfield hierarchy that now is the time to refresh the middle of the park, start to lower the average age, and prepare for the future as well as the present - The Reds' have the third oldest squad in the division.

Whilst some midfielders age like a fine wine, Luka Modric being a prime example, others start to show signs of decline as they hit the 30 year mark.

It is abundantly clear that the current Liverpool midfield is not able to cope with the high intensity level required, as shown by their stuttering start to the season - Leeds outran Jurgen Klopp's side by 11km in their shock victory at Anfield. 

Maximum-intensity heavy metal football was always going to be hard for The Reds to sustain for many years, so their midfield's decline was inevitable and burnout was always going to catch up with them.

The rebuilding job has to be executed to perfection.

Failure to do so could have severe ramifications, with a number of players reaching the end of their contracts.

Here we assess the likely departures from Liverpool's midfield, as well as their potential replacements, as Klopp gears up for the next stage of his midfield evolution.

  • Who is likely to depart?

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - 29

 (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has endured a difficult campaign so far, yet to start a game in the Premier League, and only clocking 30 minutes over three substitute cameos, after sustaining a serious hamstring injury in pre-season.

Since the 20/21 season, he has only netted three goals - an underwhelming return considering his £35M price tag.

The torn ACL against Roma in the 2017/18 Champions League semi-final has plagued what could have been a stellar Liverpool career.

He has failed to regain his bursting runs and ability drive in the middle of the park, meaning the ex-Arsenal man has plummeted down the pecking order.

His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and with no suggestion of a renewed deal, the 29-year-old will be wondering what could have been if his injury curse picked on someone else.

Naby Keita - 27

(Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Like Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita has suffered a turbulent Liverpool career, derailed by constant injuries.

Since joining for £54M in 2018, he has missed a staggering 84 games.

To put that into context, the Guinean has only made 76 league appearances - with only 46 starts.

Fabinho in comparison, who joined the club at the same time as Keita, has made 129 league appearances.

Whilst Keita has had some memorable moments and has occasionally showed shades of his RB Leipzig days, he has failed to replicate those performances on a regular basis, partly due to injuries, but ultimately his time at the club will be seen as underwhelming considering the hefty price tag.

He has not featured in any capacity this season since his short cameo against Manchester City in the Community Shield.

With his contract also set to run out in the summer, it seems the best solution for all parties if they were to part ways.

James Milner - 36

 (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
(Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

After joining on a free from Manchester City in 2015, Milner is the second longest serving player at the club behind captain Jordan Henderson.

His invaluable experience, leadership, professionalism, and ability to fill in anywhere when needed makes him an integral member of the squad both on and off the pitch.

However, concerns have been raised whether he is still Premier League standard, with his age starting to catch up with him.

Milner is set to depart at the end of the season, as he will likely look to hang up his boots and close the curtain on a remarkable career.

Staying on in a coaching role at the club, rather than a playing role, would be the most beneficial move for everyone involved.

  • Who could sign?

Jude Bellingham - 19  Estimated cost: £120M

(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
(Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Liverpool tend to be cautious with their finances, only breaking the bank for players who will truly elevate the squad and take it to the next level.

The sizeable fees which brought Alisson Becker and Virgil Van Dijk to the club looked hefty at the time, but now look like a bargain after transforming Klopp's side from top 4 contenders to Champions League and Premier League winners.

They elevated the squad and The Reds reaped the rewards.

Going in all guns blazing for Bellingham is likely to have a similar impact.

At just 19 years old, he is a future captain in the making, showing parallels with Jordan Henderson and Steven Gerrard, leading by example both on and off the pitch.

He would add energy, dynamism, and a breath of new life into a stagnating midfield, and could be a mainstay in the team for the next decade and beyond.

It is no secret that Klopp is a huge admirer of him, amongst several other clubs. 

The Borussia Dortmund man would help contribute to the attack, playing as an advanced 8 through his elite ball progression and poacher's instinct.

He is also able to quickly cover ground in defending transitions.

He is the closest thing Liverpool will ever get to replacing Gerrard - who Bellingham sees as his biggest inspiration. It seems like a match made in heaven.

Reports suggest that Liverpool in a race with The Citizens to secure his services, with Klopp pushing hard.

Another stumbling block for Liverpool is whether owner John Henry will stump up the cash to sign Bellingham.

Enzo Fernandez - 21  Estimated cost: £90M

(Photo by Pascal Bitz - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
(Photo by Pascal Bitz - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

Fernandez was a standout performer in Lionel Scaloni's World Cup winning side, scooping up Young Player of the Tournament after a series of impressive displays.

He is the epitome of a complete midfielder.

The 21-year-old was deployed for Argentina as a deep-lying playmaker, helping to create play from deep.

He averages 9.5 progressive passes per 90, putting him in the top 1% of midfielders.

His ability to dictate the play from deep allows the team to push up, putting the opposition in a chokehold.

Defensively, he is a tenacious and aggressive tackler, and would be able to fill in for Fabinho as a six.

He is more than capable going forward, as shown by his stunning curling effort against Mexico in the group stages.

The midfielder only moved to Benfica from River Plate in June, but now looks to be on the move again whether it be in January or the summer window, with a host of clubs circling.

Fabrizio Romano has claimed that the only way he leaves in January is if his £120M release clause is paid.

Julian Ward will look to utilise his good relationship with Benfica as The Reds battle it out with Real Madrid for his signature, with the signing of Fernandez the ultimate parting gift.

Sofyan Amrabat - 26  Estimated cost: £35M

Sofyan Amrabat of Morocco celebrates the victory during the World Cup match between Morocco v Portugal at the Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha Qatar (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)
Sofyan Amrabat of Morocco celebrates the victory during the World Cup match between Morocco v Portugal at the Al Thumama Stadium on December 10, 2022 in Doha Qatar (Photo by Eric Verhoeven/Soccrates/Getty Images)

Amrabat was an integral figure in Morocco's inspiring run to the World Cup semi-final, with his stock skyrocketing after a series of stellar performances.

Tasked with protecting the back four, the Fiorentina midfielder dominated the midfield of the park, helping the Atlas Lions to clean sheets against Croatia, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.

He won possession 57 times during the tournament, more than any other player.

The 26-year-old is a workhorse who never stops running and could slot into the Liverpool midfield either in a holding role or as a box-to-box.

Italian outlet Foot Mercato claims that Klopp has made a deal for Amrabat his priority and will reignite contact with his representatives in January.

It is believed that the Liverpool boss has already met his entourage and is keen to strike a deal.

An offer around the £30M to £40M mark could be enough for the Italian side to sell.

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