Liverpool's summer just became a lot more difficult as Arne Slot and FSG left with huge issue

Liverpool is set for another substantial period of change this summer, with key locker room figures Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson both moving on when the season ends

Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson celebrate Liverpool's win over Wolves in the FA Cup.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

"A person/player every football club needs," Curtis Jones said. "You'll be a huge miss brother. Legend."

The Liverpool number 17 was, of course, responding the news of Andy Robertson's imminent exit being made public. On Thursday, the 32-year-old confirmed what had been anticipated for some time — that he was to depart in search of more regular game time. After the Reds man entertained interest from Spurs in January, it was always a possibility.

"He has won everything here," Arne Slot said on Friday. "He has served this club for so many seasons. He really loves this club and it has been a great nine years."

But Robertson, of course, is not the only big player who will leave. Mohamed Salah, who confirmed his intentions during the March international break, will be departing at the same time.

Alongside that, there have been rumors about transfer interest from Italy in Alisson Becker — he is currently sidelined with another injury — and the Brazilian too is a huge figure who has won it all.

In terms of experience and the leadership group, Liverpool is about to feel a big shake-up, off the back of a campaign that has been very difficult.

Andy Robertson and Arne Slot after Liverpool won at Nottingham Forest.(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

There is a difficult balance to be struck. Milos Kerkez, the man signed to be an upgrade on Robertson, is a decade younger and is a better player now, but the Scottish full-back will still leave a huge hole.

The talk should not exclusively be about Robertson as a leader — he is also a very good player — but there is a clear need to find more experienced options to replace him and Salah.

Dominik Szoboszlai has been tipped as a future captain in some quarters, but his frustrated reaction in front of an empty away section at the Etihad Stadium recently would suggest there is more of a connection that needs to be built there.

Jones, meanwhile, was of interest to Inter Milan in the winter transfer window. With his contract only running until 2027, it remains to be seen what the long-term future holds.

As a local player, there is no doubt that Jones has the knowledge of what comes with being Liverpool skipper, but it would also be fair to point out that he isn't currently a regular in the starting XI — exactly why an exit can't be definitively ruled out.

Beyond that, there is doubt about Ibrahima Konate's future, and he has been shaky for much of the last few months. Alexis Mac Allister falls into a similar category, while Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike and Ryan Gravenberch are under 24 and still relatively new.

In the recent past, Liverpool has been successful with the likes of Jordan Henderson and James Milner setting standards. Thiago Alcantara was another very experienced head.

Current captain Virgil van Dijk will still be at Anfield next season — though his contract only runs until the end of 2026/27 — but beyond that, losing Robertson and Salah will leave a massive void that needs to be filled.