By Steven Northover
As the nights start to draw in, and November rolls into the Christmas Season, football fans’ thoughts will be inevitably drawn to the Winter Transfer Window, and the possibilities of what might be.
Traditionally, the Reds have kept their powder dry until the summer; however, it seems likely it could be a busy four weeks on Merseyside.
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott is seemingly Liverpool's number one target, and with the team's midfield looking increasingly threadbare, it seems that a bid for the 23-year-old is likely.
However, it is probably more likely that there may be more players leaving than coming in.
With that job in mind, let's go through the possible departures in the New Year, most likely to least, and why their days at Anfield may be numbered.
Federico Chiesa.
There was a time, around a year ago, that this writer waxed lyrical about Federico Chiesa and his role in turning around an already faltering season, especially as the legendary Mo Salah entered the twilight of his career.
Indeed, after a period of his career dogged by injury, a fit again Chiesa seemed destined for a long run in the first team - especially as Liverpool began this season without a recognised Right Winger.
However, whatever opportunities were open to the Italian, they were either not taken or ignored by both Arne Slot and Andoni Iraola, and the 29-year-old has not started a league game and has been omitted from the club's European squad.
Despite his woes in England and his long injury record, he remains a popular figure in his native Italy, with Napoli pursuing the player last summer.
Whether an offer comes in January or in the Summer, any offer is likely to be accepted, and Liverpool will be keen to offload the 51-capped Italian.
Joe Gomez
11 years, 175 appearances, 2 Premier League titles, and a Champions League (and zero goals). Joe Gomez has won it all, whilst never being a consistent starter for the first team.
It's a cliché, but in the era of the ‘transfer merry-go-round’, Gomez is the embodiment of the - almost - one-club man.
Dependable but seldom Earth-shattering, the 29-year-old has been the ‘go-to’ back-up defender for four Liverpool managers in his time on Merseyside whilst still being willing to wait on the bench until he is needed.
Versatile to a ‘T’, the former Charlton man has played across the back four in his time at Anfield, most recently deployed as a right-back as Andoni Iraola continues to tackle injuries to Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley.
However, the England international’s contract comes to an end at the end of the season, and with the chances of the club opening extension talks seemingly unlikely, new Director of Football Julian Ward may look to make a quick transfer for the player before he can leave for a free.
That said, Gomez’s versatility, pared with the Reds’ ongoing defensive injury concerns, means Adoni Iraola may be willing to let the defender’s contract run down, safe in the knowledge that - when the situation arises - Gomez will do the job.
Wataro Endo
The Japanese international arrived in Liverpool during a period of relative uncertainty at the club. Bought in by temporary Director of Football Jorge Schmadtke as the club began a midfield rebuild following the departures of Fabinho and Jordan Henderson that summer.
Already aged 29, and coming in at the same time as Alexis Mc Alister, Dominic Szoboszlai, and Ryan Gravenberch, the Japanese national team Captain was never likely to be a starter for the Reds.
That said, Endo went on to make a total of 72 appearances for the Reds in his first two seasons, with only tactical decisions and competition for places restricting him when playing under Arne Slot.
However, injuries have started to build up, with the last of his 73 caps for Japan coming prior to the 2026 World Cup, where he had withdrawn due to an ankle ligament tear, and a later foot injury that has meant the 33-year-old has made just eight appearances so far this season.
Like a number on this list, Endo’s contract comes to an end at the culmination of this season, and with Iraola appearing to prefer youth over experience, not to mention a need for the Reds to freshen up and bolster their midfield (see: Alex Scott), it seems almost certain that Wataro Endo will leave the club in the not-distant future.
Luke Chambers
An academy graduate, Chambers signed his professional contract in 2022, before spending the next four years on loan at Kilmarnock, Wigan Athletic, and Charlton Athletic.
Seemingly likely to follow countless other professional footballers and leave their first team without making a senior appearance, Chambers has been able to take some advantage of the fast and attritional style of play favoured by Iraola, making five appearances for the Reds, albeit in Cup and European competition.
Indeed, early into his reign, Iraola started to use Liverpool's youth more regularly than in the past, stating,
"Some of them are going to return to the U21s, some of them will go on loan, and some of them will stay with us because I think we will need them during the season.”
(https://stadion-edge.liverpoolfc.com/news/andoni-iraola-interview-usa-tour-review-evolution-young-players-and-staff-impact?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
However, with Chambers turning 23 in June next year, his career appears to be heading towards something of a crossroads - either stay at Liverpool or move to pastures new with the aim of more first-team performances.
Like Gomez before him, Chambers is now entering the final few months of his contract with the Reds, so it may come to pass that the club make that choice for him, come January.
Alexis Mac Alister
We've now entered the ‘hear me out’ section of the article.
It seems unlikely, although not impossible, that another member of the ‘class of ‘22’ might be leaving the club in January.
The Argentine has made no secret of his frustration about not being given a renewed contract this far into the season, stating earlier this term,
"I received the news that the club was not in a position to offer me a new contract, which of course makes me very, very sad.”
As we enter the new year, Liverpool still have yet to open contract talks with the 27-year-old, and as such will be able to talk to clubs outside of England from January.
Indeed, a number of clubs around Europe will be keeping an eye on the situation, as the 2022 World Cup winner appears to be highlighting his desire to remain at Liverpool with one of his best individual seasons in Red.
On top of this, with both the change of manager and sporting director (not to mention the departure of Mo Salah), McAlister has seen his reputation and influence in the first-team squad increase in recent months.
That said, at 27, the midfielder (who has scored five goals already this season, and is currently Liverpool’s top scorer in Europe so far) is entering the prime of his career, and will be drawing envious eyes from across the continent.
Now, Liverpool’s approach to contract negotiations remains relaxed, to say the least - remember how long it took for Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah to sign on the dotted line two seasons ago - and they are likely to view Mc Alister’s continuing dedication to the club as a reason to take their time once again, regardless of the risks.
Giorgi Mamardashvili
Finally, and most definitely in the ‘probably not, but you never know’ category, in comes Georgia's Mamardashvili.
Joining Liverpool in 2024, he spent a year at former club Valencia before arriving at Anfield a year later - with the expectation that the two-time Georgian Football of the Year would be Alison Becker’s long-term replacement.
However, with Alison’s continuing to be seen as one of the best goalkeepers in the world, Mamardashvili has found his appearances dominated by cup games, or when the legendary Brazilian is injured - something that has become more regular over the past couple of seasons.
Having made just 22 appearances in all competitions since joining the Reds, Mamardashvili stated,
"It is never easy because there is just one goal! But as I said, if I don't play, I don't mind; I have to work hard every day, and that's it. My time will come, for sure. Maybe not this year, but my time will come.”
(https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/reds-roundtable-wirtz-frimpong-and-mamardashvili-discuss-friendship-inspiration-and-patience?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
So, on the face of it, he appears willing to bide his time.
But then again, no goalkeeper (certainly at Mamardashvili’s age of 27) intends to spend their career as a bench warmer - Caoimhin Kelleher is a good example of this - especially as Alison Becker has made it clear that he plans to stay at the club next season. With all that said, it seems likely that should an offer come in, he would at least want the club to look at it.
If he were to leave, however, the Reds would be dangerously light in reserve goalkeepers, with only Hungarian Vítězslav Jaroš currently at the club - a player who has only played twice in six years at Liverpool.
Ultimately, whether Mamardashvili’s ambitions match his public statements or not, necessity means that the ‘keeper will still need to play second fiddle to Alisson Becker, at least until the Summer.
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