Sadio Mane out, Harry Kane in: Five players Liverpool should sell and sign this summer

Forward line expected to see the most significant changes at Anfield during the off-season

Liverpool's Senegalese striker Sadio Mane celebrates with temmates on an open-top bus during a parade through the streets of Liverpool in north-west England on May 29, 2022, to celebrate winning the 2021-22 League Cup and FA Cup. - Despite the disappointment of losing to real Madrid in the final of the UEAF Champions League, Klopp has called on Liverpool fans to take to the streets of the city on Sunday when they parade the League Cup and FA Cup. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)

Naby Keita - Despite having a good end to the season, the midfielder has never hit the heights expected of him since he arrived on Merseyside four years ago. He is yet to fully adapted to the physicality of the Premier League and the right price will tempt Liverpool. AP

Takumi Minamino - The Japanese forward has been a little unlucky and finds himself way back in the queue of attacking players. He needs a good run of games and is unlikely to get that at Anfield. At 27 he still has time to rebuild his career. AFP

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - The 28-year-old midfielder has gone backwards since returning from a devastating knee injury sustained against Roma four years ago. He has had limited chances in the first team but rarely impressed. A move away is necessary to get back on track. AFP

Mohamed Salah - Do Liverpool wait a year and let the Egyptian walk away on a free transfer? Or do they pay the Premier League’s most prolific striker the £400,000-plus per week wage he wants? There is a third option: sell the man who will be 30 this month and move on without him. Any decision is fraught with danger but losing Salah and Mane in the same summer would be a bad look. AFP

FIVE LIVERPOOL SIGNINGS: Harry Kane - On the face of it, this move seems preposterous. The England captain has made noises suggesting he is happy with the direction Antonio Conte is taking Tottenham Hotspur. However, the possibility of a move to Anfield would intrigue the 28-year-old. He would require a huge fee and big wages, though, and is only 13 months younger than Salah. His style of play is closer to Roberto Firmino’s than the Egyptian’s, too. Getty

Darwin Nunez - The Uruguayan fits Fenway Sports Group’s transfer profile. He is young – 23 next month – and has room for improvement. Benfica are looking for around £85 million and Liverpool would want to bargain them down, although interest from elsewhere may push up the price to unrealistic levels. AFP

Christopher Nkunku - The RB Leipzig striker was sensational in the Bundesliga, scoring 35 goals and registering 22 assists. He can play up front and in midfield, and adaptability is a quality Jurgen Klopp values. The Frenchman looks like he can adapt to English football but Liverpool thought that about Keita, who also excelled at Leipzig. Nkunku is a hot property but Merseyside is near the front of the queue for his preferred destinations. Reuters

Ibrahim Sangare - The Ivorian is the sort of player who could bolster Liverpool’s midfield. Last season he was PSV Eindhoven’s standout performer and his mobility, power and defensive skills would make him a good fit for Klopp’s system. AP

Calvin Ramsay - The Aberdeen right back has gained plenty of attention and his £4 million price-tag means he would not be much of a gamble. At 18, the youngster has plenty of room for growth and although he would not see much playing time behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, he would be learning from the best at Anfield. Getty

The Champions League final meant that an uplifting season ended on a downbeat for Liverpool. The 1-0 defeat by Real Madrid – combined with events outside the Stade de France – cast a shadow over a truly remarkable campaign.

Yet, by the time Jurgen Klopp and his team got off the open-top bus after their homecoming parade on Sunday, optimism was sky high again. They know how to win – the two domestic cups prove that – and it was no shame being edged out for the title by Manchester City on the last day of the Premier League.

Klopp’s squad performed impressively. The group will largely remain intact for the coming season but Julian Ward, who will be leading the transfer strategy after the departure of sporting director Michael Edwards, will need to replace Sadio Mane.

The forward line is well stocked with Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino but bringing in another body up front is a priority. Salah and Firmino are both coming into the final year of their contracts and will be over 30 when the new campaign begins. The biggest questions for Liverpool revolve around the attacking players.

The midfield could do with a battle-hardened recruit to bolster that department. Naby Keita showed signs of rising to the challenge in 2022 but his four years at the club have been a little disappointing. Thiago Alcantara and Fabinho should anchor the middle going forward but increasing the competition for the third midfielder is high on the agenda.

The defence is the area that needs least work. Joel Matip stepped up hugely last season and the emergence of Ibrahima Konate in the last couple of months gives Klopp options at centre half. He will now be able to consider resting Virgil van Dijk without causing himself and the supporters palpitations. Kostas Tsimikas is an able deputy for Andrew Robertson and Joe Gomez showed his adaptability when covering for Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Liverpool 2021/22 season ratings

This is not a squad that needs a drastic overhaul. A striker plus a few nips and tucks will keep the levels up and Liverpool will expect to challenge on all four fronts next campaign.

The biggest signing of the year was Klopp extending his contract until 2026. Anfield has lots of attractive attributes for players, the atmosphere and the chance to compete for trophies among them. The biggest draw is the German manager. He was at the top of his game, exuding energy and intelligence and giving his players the opportunity to perform to the best of their ability.

The 54-year-old German wants to win the Premier League title again. He wants to go back to the Champions League final. Next year, the continent’s showpiece game is in Istanbul. Liverpool fans know miracles happen in the Ataturk Stadium. It will not take a miracle for Klopp and his team to return to the biggest match in European football.