Liverpool youngster 'set to leave' two months after debut and 'exceptional' Jürgen Klopp verdict

Liverpool’s plans post-Jürgen Klopp’s departure are certainly taking shape ahead of next week’s big farewell at Anfield.

Klopp will leave the Reds after nearly nine years at the helm, during which time he has transformed the club’s fortunes, winning a first league title in 30 years back in 2020 as well as securing a sixth European crown. His final game in charge next weekend against Wolves is sure to be an emotional occasion, but behind the scenes, the post-Klopp era is already taking shape.

Liverpool is expected to appoint Arne Slot as the club’s new manager, with the current Feyenoord boss all but confirming his move to Anfield. He’ll be joined there in the summer by new sporting director Richard Hughes, while Michael Edwards and Julian Ward have both returned to FSG.

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All four of those will be involved in what is set to be a busy summer as the club’s rebuild, started last year in midfield, continues. The next step of the process will see the retained and released lists confirmed soon.

First-team players Thiago Alcântara and Joël Matip look likely to leave the club as their contracts expire next month. Veteran goalkeeper Adrián could also follow them, with no indication as yet whether he will receive a new deal.

According to This Is Anfield, another player likely to exit the club is academy star Mateusz Musiałowski. The 20-year-old only made his first-team debut two months ago, having come off the bench during Liverpool’s win over Sparta Prague in the Europa League.

Klopp said of Musiałowski after the game: “Players develop differently. He’s an exceptional talent, but obviously here in the club, we see football in a specific way. He got it now more and more, I really think he’s now ready.

“That’s why he got [his minutes]. I obviously had the choice between a few and thought ‘come on, give him these few minutes, he waited long enough’.”

According to the report, Liverpool is still likely to offer a new contract to Musiałowski, as that would ensure compensation is paid by his next club. The youngster’s agent though has already spoken about his next steps.

“We signed a contract with the condition that I would not persuade him to return to Poland,” Cezary Kucharski explained back in November.

“I don’t want to persuade him to return to Poland, but he has the most offers from his homeland. Most clubs want him. I think he should go to the Netherlands, Belgium, or maybe Switzerland.”

Liverpool.com says: We’ll find out exactly who will be leaving the club once the season is over, but there are some players for whom it is probably safe to assume they will move on. It’s certainly hard to see Thiago or Matip earning new deals.

As for Musiałowski, there has been some excitement around him over the years, thanks in no small part to being dubbed the ‘Polish Messi’. His opportunities haven’t arisen in the first-team though, and if he does move on this summer, it will be interesting to see where he ends up. He’ll no doubt get some attention from Liverpool fans wherever he goes.