Liverpool transfer news: Reds to lose key man as Jordan Henderson return touted

Arne Slot’s Liverpool are ready to embark on a big summer as they look to bolster their ranks and prepare for a Premier League title defence but not everyone is sticking around

Winning the Premier League is just the start for Liverpool and their manager Arne Slot. Now comes the hard part of solidifying and putting themselves in position to defend the title for the first time in the Premier League era.

We’re already aware of the first new arrival, with Giorgi Mamardashvili agreeing his move from Valencia last summer. We’re also aware of the first high-profile departure, with Trent Alexander-Arnold confirming he will move on when his contract expires.

There’s already been some good news for fans in the lead-up to the summer window. Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were both at risk of leaving on a free, but the key men both agreed contract extensions before the end of the campain.

The news means Liverpool have a slightly more straightforward task, and their next summer move – at the time of writing – looks to be just around the corner. Jeremie Frimpong is due to complete a £29.5million move from Bayer Leverkusen, and there’s a chance his club colleague Florian Wirtz follows suit.

It’s not all positive news for Slot, though, with one of his key allies set to leave Anfield. Here are Mirror Football‘s latest lines from the red half of Merseyside.

READ MORE: Transfer news LIVE: Liverpool gets Wirtz green light, Arsenal agree £51m deal, Cunha latestREAD MORE: Why Johnny Heitinga is leaving Liverpool to make emotional return

Slot’s ally Heitinga set for move

Arne Slot’s Liverpool assistant Johnny Heitinga looks set to leave Anfield after just one year. The former Everton defender has been given permission to talk to another of his former clubs, Ajax, about becoming their new manager.

Heitinga had two spells as a player at Ajax and also spent time as their interim manager in 2023. He spent time as David Moyes’ assistant at West Ham before linking up with Slot last summer.

Ajax are currently without a manager, with Francesco Farioli leaving after just one season. Former Nice boss Farioli handed in his resignation after a run of five points from the last five games saw the Amsterdam club surrender the title to PSV Eindhoven.

Henderson lined up for Sunderland return

Staying with Ajax, Jordan Henderson could leave the club and make an unlikely Premier League return. The midfielder’s boyhood club Sunderland beat Sheffield United in the Championship play-off final to win promotion, leading to suggestions Henderson might be back at the Stadium of Light next term.

The England international, who captained Liverpool to Premier League glory in 2020, left for Saudi club Al Ettifaq in 2023. He lasted half a season in the gulf state before beginning an 18-month stint at Ajax, and he still has a year left on his deal in Amsterdam.

Sunderland aren’t the only club in the mix, though. There has been talk of a reunion with former Ettifaq boss Steven Gerrard if he is appointed by Rangers, while a move to Serie A could also be on the cards.

Salah speaks out on Saudi interest

Mohamed Salah has described Saudi Pro League interest as a “good opportunity” but remains committed to Liverpool. Al Ittihad saw interest in the Egyptian knocked back, and he eventually reached an agreement over a new Anfield contract in April.

“My contract was up at Liverpool, and I would have gone to Saudi, but we finalised the deal with Liverpool,” Salah added in an interview with Egyptian channel ON Sports (via Sky Sports). “And I still have a good relationship with them and I always stay in contact with them. Yes, we were talking to each other.

“I don’t know what is going to happen, but I am happy here in Liverpool and I am staying here for the next two years. Then I will see what I will do next.”

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