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Federico Chiesa and Darwin Nunez of Liverpool(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

It seems a strange statement to make about a team that has just finished top scorers in the Premier League, racked up 123 goals in all competitions and can boast English football's most lethal marksman.

There is no suggestion the Reds would even entertain the sale of the attacker.

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And while he struggled for form and fitness throughout the season, any rumours about Diogo Jota leaving have thus far been wholly speculative.

But the fate of the remainder is far from clear-cut, which extends to teenage winger Ben Doak, who after an impressive loan spell in the Championship with Middlesbrough is attracting interest from Everton after a failed attempt to sign him by Crystal Palace in January.

Luis Diaz has publicly admitted his representatives have had talks with other clubs - Barcelona and the Saudi Pro League continue to court the Colombian winger - while stating he would be happy to stay at Liverpool.

However, there has been no movement over a new contract for the 28-year-old, whose deal expires in two years.

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Speaking in several interviews in recent weeks, Federico Chiesa has made clear that although also content at Anfield, he would prefer a move back to Italy in search of regular minutes to bolster his chances of appearing at next summer's World Cup.

And then there is Darwin Nunez.

It didn't require - at least according to claims this weekend - an end-of-season conversation with Slot last month for Nunez to realise his opportunities would be limited at Liverpool next season.

That was glaringly clear during the second half of the recently-completed title-winning campaign in which Nunez made just eight Premier League starts, only one of which came after Boxing Day.

Given the fluctuations of Jota, that Diaz was primarily preferred as a makeshift number nine was a damning indictment.

And what happens next with Uruguayan is almost certain to influence any further moves made by Liverpool when the transfer window reopens on Monday for the remainder of the summer.

The Reds have at least acquired one option with Jeremie Frimpong, signed from Bayer Leverkusen for £29million, comfortable on the right flank and a likely alternative for Salah when the Egyptian departs for Africa Cup of Nations duty over Christmas.

And a £116m deal has been agreed with Bayer Leverkusen for Florian Wirtz, the Germany international who, while being bought as an attacking midfielder, can play in a number of forward roles and could conceivably fill in as a false number nine.

But a departure for Nunez would heighten the need for a new centre forward.

While the Saudi Pro League had an approach rejected in January and Al-Hilal were interested ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, no deal was forthcoming.

Instead, the latest suggestion is the player would prefer to stay in Europe, which could prevent Liverpool from receiving the kind of fee that would have been more likely had Nunez gone to the Middle East.

Reports in Italy state AC Milan have joined Napoli in pursuing the Uruguayan although there is an acceptance the player would still be expensive with a fee of around £40m being touted.

With Liverpool's overall spend this summer scheduled to approach £200m when Wirtz and, as expected, Milos Kerkez follow Frimpong, any major signings will be dependent on outgoings, and Nunez would need to be replaced.

The Reds have been long-time admirers of Alexander Isak but are aware of the difficulties, not least in terms of cost, of persuading Newcastle United to sell, and remain among those being linked with Eintracht Frankfurt's France under-21 international Hugo Ekitike.

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Such is the dearth of available centre forwards at present, any new signing would not come cheap.

And it's why what happens with Nunez between now and September 1 will greatly influence the extent of Liverpool's attacking rebuild.


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