Liverpool players in action during a training session on July 21 in Austria Photo: VCG

"My idea was to build Liverpool into a bastion of invincibility," said former Anfield boss Bill Shankly. "Napoleon had that idea. He wanted to conquer the bloody world... My idea was to build Liverpool up and up until eventually everyone would have to give in."

That was just one of the great Scot's quotes on winning.

"I want to build a team that's invincible, so that they have to send a team from bloody Mars to beat us," was another of his, as was, "If you are first, you are first. If you are second, you are nothing."

Now, arguably the greatest Liverpool boss since "Shanks," Juergen Klopp is coming to the same crossroads. If second is nothing, then what is third? That is where Klopp's champions finished in their title defense.

Klopp faces the same thing that Shankly and the other great managers of English football have faced, not of building a team in their image but of rebuilding one. 

His Liverpool side, the one that won the UEFA Champions League and English Premier League, needs to look toward the future to continue to challenge for silverware.

Captain Jordan Henderson has been mentioned as leaving the club in the not too distant future, though the skipper has said that he has no interest in playing elsewhere even if PSG and Atletico Madrid are said to be eying up the midfielder after contract talks reportedly broke down.

But time waits for no one and Henderson will have to go out of the exit door at some point. The question for Klopp and the club's owners FSG is who else will follow. 

There are a number of key first team players that will see their contracts expire in the next couple of seasons and it will need to be decided if these players are sold, their contracts run down or they are extended.

Who is in the frame for a fresh start?

James Milner

The club's Mr Dependable is contracted until 2022 but it would be no surprise if the ageless 35-year-old saw it extended. Milner has played almost everywhere for Klopp and shows no signs of slowing down, despite nearly 20 years of playing in the Premier League. It has been rumored he would stay on at the club in a coaching capacity if and when he hangs up his boots.

Divock Origi

Another whose contract expires in a year, Origi has long been a cult hero at Anfield for his exploits along the way to winning the 2018-19 UEFA Champions League title. The Belgian has never been a consistent starter though and that is unlikely to change any time soon. Last season he only scored once and his time may well be up but without any buyers it may come next summer.

Roberto Firmino

The Brazilian schemer has been a key part of the success at Liverpool since he arrived from Hoffenheim, but he is now 29 and time for him or the club to cash in is running out. Last season was his worst goal return at Anfield, though his nine goals in 48 games hardly tells the story of his link play. With his contract running until 2023, there is an expectation that he will leave by the end of that.

Xherdan Shaqiri

The arrival of the Swiss star was an odd one at the time in 2018 when he arrived from Stoke City but he has served a purpose for Klopp's side in the seasons since. Despite the important goals and assists when called upon, Shaqiri is 29 and a contract extension beyond its expiry in 2023 is unlikely. Given his impressive performances for his country at Euro 2020, he could do a job elsewhere.

Virgil van Dijk

The player that many saw as making the difference to Klopp's side when he arrived from Southampton for a record fee missed most of last season and Liverpool struggled in his absence. His contract expires in 2023. The question mark hanging over him is how he returns from his injury and whether he can reach the heights that had him mentioned as a possible Ballon d'Or Winner.

Mohamed Salah

Another player who it seems would be not for sale in the eyes of the manager, owners and fans, but nothing is certain in football. He has 125 goals in 203 games over the last four seasons but some questioned whether he had lost his form last campaign. More importantly if Liverpool are looking to rebuild is that there has been interest in the star Egyptian, whose contract runs out in 2023, notably from Barca and Real Madrid.

Sadio Mane

The other member of the team who seemed to be impossible to imagine away from Anfield, the Senegalese striker has been key to their recent successes. Off the pitch he has been said to be unhappy and talk of a move has grown over the last two seasons. He could leave for Spain before his contract ends in 2023, though money might be a sticking point.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

It is hard to believe that the former Arsenal midfielder is only 27 but many of his recent seasons in an 11-year pro career have been curtailed by injuries. He was in Klopp's team at the end of the last campaign but his future at the club - ahead of his contract ending in 2023 - is dependent on staying fit.

Fabinho

The Brazilian filled in at central defense for much of last season as Van Dijk's absence led to an injury crisis in front of goalkeeper Alisson. Fabinho was a rock and the club may want to extend the 27-year-old's contract beyond its 2023 expiry date. The player will call the shots on any extension.