Hendrick: 'I'd Be Horrified' If Alisson Leaves Liverpool
Liverpool 2025: Who to Keep, Loan or Sell? AEye Scouted Breakdown
On the latest episode of the AEye Scouted Podcast for Anfield Index, Dave Hendrick and Karl Matchett delivered an exhaustive assessment of Liverpool's squad, tackling the club's future under Arne Slot through the lens of 'Keep, Loan, Sell.'
Their discussion, which ran position by position from Alisson Becker to Lewis Koumas, was equal parts tactical and brutally honest. Both agreed: this summer marks a pivotal moment.
Alisson and the Rebuild Dilemma
Alisson's future was framed as conditional. Matchett said he'd keep him for 'one more year of Ali basically,' citing his enduring quality. Hendrick added a key qualifier: 'If both Mo and Virgil leave, I think you might as well sell Alisson, turn it over to Mamardashvili and move on.' That provoked a sharp response: 'I'd be fairly horrified by it,' Matchett admitted.
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On potential fees, Hendrick speculated: 'To Saudi… maybe 40, 50. Barcelona… 30. Bayern… 25 to 30.' The bottom line? If Liverpool are forced into a rebuild, 'you're not going to be competitive even with Ali.'
Squad Reality Check: Goalkeepers and Defenders
Caoimhín Kelleher? Both agreed – it's time to sell. 'He should get £25 million,' Hendrick estimated. As for backup options, Matchett was open to loaning Vítězslav Jaroš, while Hendrick preferred him to return in 2026.
In defence, Matchett offered a stark summary of Joe Gomez: 'He's had multiple injuries… if £25 million is still on the table, I'd be taking it.' The homegrown quota remains a factor, but both prioritised physical reliability.
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They were unequivocal on Virgil van Dijk: 'You have to basically do everything you can,' said Matchett. Ibrahima Konaté? 'New contract or sell.' Hendrick cautioned: 'There is significant risk because of the injury history.'
Photo: IMAGO
Midfield Musings and Unpopular Truths
Curtis Jones is a keep, but Hendrick posed a question: 'Does Curtis view himself as too good to be in the situation he's in?' Both agreed he plays plenty, but needs consistency.
No such love for Harvey Elliott: 'I just don't see the value in it,' Hendrick said. 'He's better off going to a club like Crystal Palace.' Matchett concurred: 'He's worth more as a sellable asset than as a member of the squad.'
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Endō was deemed a quiet asset. 'He's almost played as many minutes at centre-back this season as in midfield,' Hendrick noted, backing his retention.
Forwards Under the Microscope
Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota were all marked for sale. 'It has to be a sell for me,' Hendrick said about Núñez. 'I'm just done giving him chances.'
On Jota: 'You just can't have players in your squad that are so unreliable,' said Hendrick. 'If we could get a decent fee, move him on.'
Matchett agreed on Cody Gakpo's improvement: 'He has turned that around… he's certainly bought himself next season.'
Photo: IMAGO
Then came Fábio Carvalho's heir, Kaide Gordon. Hendrick lamented his lack of opportunity: 'He's been fit since the middle of December… on the bench without playing 10 times.' Matchett added: 'You have to reward that with giving him minutes on the pitch.'
Loan Watch and Prospects
The duo ran through Liverpool's vast loan contingent. Ben Doak, Jarell Quansah and James McConnell? All loans. Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams? 'Just don't have them contracted at the club next year.'
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Lewis Koumas drew admiration: 'Six goals, three assists… 2,750 minutes – really good,' Hendrick noted. Both agreed he and Jayden Danns deserve a long pre-season look.
Summary and Final Thought
While they disagreed on specific players, Hendrick and Matchett were united in this: Liverpool face a major summer of transition, one that must be navigated with clarity and bold decisions.
As Matchett put it, 'You're not going to sell all of those players in one go. But there's a lot of work to do – and it starts with those three contract situations.'
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