Liverpool will already be strategising for next season as the summer transfer window looms. The Reds are striving to clinch a Champions League place this term as they approach the final stages of the campaign. Despite a mixed season for the current Premier League champions, following their headline-making transfer dealings last year, it could prove advantageous for the squad in the long run.

Several of Liverpool's key acquisitions will aim to make further strides in their second year at Anfield, but there remains work to be done within the team. Mohamed Salah is likely to be at the centre of conjecture regarding his future as he enters the last year of his Liverpool contract. The veteran forward voiced his displeasure with head coach Arne Slot after being relegated to the bench earlier this season and has since been persistently linked with a high-profile move to the Saudi Pro League.

Meanwhile, ex-Liverpool ace Trent Alexander-Arnold has also endured a challenging debut year in Spain. Here, Express Sport examines some of the most significant stories involving the Reds.

Mohamed Salah exit verdict

Former Tottenham star Rafael van der Vaart has offered his thoughts on Salah's future, suggesting the Liverpool key man should depart.

The 33-year-old continues to contribute to Slot's side, despite falling short of his prolific goalscoring form from the previous campaign, but Van der Vaart feels the moment has arrived for Salah to part ways with Liverpool.

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"When I look at Mohammed Salah and the position he plays on the pitch, he has lost that extra half yard and the pace is gone with age," he told Sky Bet. "When you look at Virgil van Dijk, age is less important for a defender.

"Having a big player and a big name (like Salah) is sometimes a problem for both the player and coach. When you expect certain things as a coach from him and he doesn't do it, then of course you have the right to put him on the bench, but because it's Mohamed Salah, this can cause a massive issue - in every press conference every question will be on Salah. It could be best for both sides if Salah goes somewhere else in the summer."

Trent Alexander-Arnold regret

Alexander-Arnold opted to leave Liverpool for Real Madrid last summer, but the full-back has encountered numerous problems during his maiden campaign, with fitness concerns and competition for places restricting his playing time. His comments upon exiting the Reds suggested that he regrets certain aspects of how the move was handled and received.

"I completely understand the feelings that go with that [leaving Liverpool], and I've felt it myself, so I completely understand that the news will disappoint a lot of people, will anger people, it will make them upset," Alexander-Arnold said.

"Obviously, that went into the decision as well - it's something you don't want to do, you don't want to ever have these moments where you feel like you're letting a lot of people down, you're disappointing a lot of people. But I've had to make a decision for me, it's as simple as that."

There were earlier suggestions that the England international could be offloaded in the summer, though these have subsequently been refuted. New Real Madrid head coach Alvaro Arbeloa has spoken favourably about the former Liverpool star during the opening weeks of his tenure.

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