Cody Gakpo and five players who could leave Liverpool before Deadline Day

Analysis

Matthew Judge | Editor

Andoni Iraola will now have a better understanding of his Liverpool squad after taking charge of four pre-season fixtures.

The Reds have locked horns with Sunderland, Wrexham, Leeds United and Monaco this summer, recording two wins and as many defeats.

And the performances in those games will have helped Iraola determine which players are central to his forward-thinking, progressive brand of football.

However, the Spaniard will also have a clearer idea of which players he believes will struggle to cope with the demands of his methods.

And then there are the players in between who are being strongly linked with moves away from Anfield, even if Iraola would like to keep hold of them.

Here, FootballTransfers takes a look at five players who could leave Liverpool before Deadline Day, which takes place in England on 1 September.

Cody Gakpo

BBC Sport understands Tottenham Hotspur remain keen to sign Cody Gakpo from Liverpool.

STATS

Cody Gakpo

F, M (L)

Liverpool

Cody Gakpo

F, M (L)

Liverpool

All Tournaments

2025/26

• 52

  Games

• 9

  Goals

• 7

  Assists

View all stats

Roberto De Zerbi is believed to want to add more goals to his new-look Spurs side, with Gakpo somebody who fits the bill.

However, The Athletic’s James Pearce claims Liverpool and Iraola want to keep hold of the 27-year-old, who is tied to Anfield until 2030.

One thing that stands out about Gakpo is his availability: he has made 180 appearances in just three-and-a-half seasons at Liverpool, posting 50 goals and 23 assists.

Curtis Jones

BBC Sport also understands Inter Milan retain an interest in Curtis Jones.

The Serie A champions are reportedly willing to pay €35million (£30m) to sign the 25-year-old - which is €6m (£5m) lower than Liverpool’s valuation.

After emerging through Liverpool’s youth system, the versatile Jones has gone on to make 228 appearances for his boyhood club.

However, the England international has struggled for form and fitness in pre-season, missing Sunday’s loss to Monaco because of a hip injury.

Ifeanyi Ndukwe

Young defender Ifeanyi Ndukwe has been one of Liverpool’s standout performers in pre-season.

The 18-year-old centre-back built on his strong performances against Wrexham and Leeds by producing another superb display in the loss against Monaco.

However, Ndukwe cannot play a part in Iraola’s first season at the helm as he is currently unable to obtain a work permit in the United Kingdom.

And so the Vienna-born starlet is poised to leave on loan, with Sky Sports Austria claiming a number of European clubs have registered their interest.

Luke Chambers

Another player who has caught the eye for Liverpool in pre-season is Luke Chambers, despite playing out of position at centre-back.

The left-back has been forced to play in the heart of the Reds’ defence due to a lack of options available to Iraola.

However, Chambers has stepped up to the plate alongside Ndukwe, with the 22-year-old scoring in the 4-2 reverse against Leeds in the United States.

And such has been Chambers’ form in pre-season that the Liverpool Echo understands several clubs are keen to take him on loan.

James McConnell

Liverpool midfielder James McConnell has also been linked with a temporary move away in order to further his development.

The 21-year-old secured an eye-catching loan move to Ajax last summer, only for the switch to be cut short after just seven appearances.

After returning to Liverpool in February, McConnell underwent minor surgery before featuring in the games against Sunderland, Wrexham and Monaco this summer.

Both the club and the player may look to secure another loan move this summer, with the hope being that McConnell can stay injury free.

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