The summer transfer window opened on May 16, but Liverpool are yet to complete a deal. So what can we expect from the club before deadline day?
Trading began four days after the end of the Premier League campaign, and deadline day is August 8, with a host of high-profile deals already confirmed across the English top flight.
Wolves paid a club-record £30 million to make Raul Jimenez’s stay at Molineux permanent, while Lloyd Kelly joined Bournemouth from Bristol City for £13 million and Lucas Perez left West Ham to rejoin Alavez.
The biggest deal of the summer so far, however, is Eden Hazard’s switch to Real Madrid from Chelsea, with the Belgian’s move worth up to £150 million.
Last summer, Liverpool spent £170.5 million combined to bring in Alisson, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri, with the No. 3 announced two days after the Champions League final.
Work is no doubt underway to reshape Jurgen Klopp‘s squad once again, so what could unfold over the next two months?
Outgoings
Liverpool already confirmed a host of departures with their released and retained lists earlier in June, with Alberto Moreno and Daniel Sturridge the biggest names to leave.
Both exit on the expiry of their contracts, with Moreno courting interest from a number of top-level clubs, with Benfica, Arsenal and even Barcelona linked.
Sturridge has been touted as a possible key arrival in the Australian A-League, and namely Robbie Fowler’s Brisbane Roar, but at 29, the England international still has a lot to offer on a more competitive stage.
He could feasibly join another club in the Premier League, with the likes of Crystal Palace, West Ham and Newcastle mentioned as possible destinations.
Connor Randall also leaves after 18 years with the Reds, along with Irish academy trio Corey Whelan, Conor Masterson and Glen McAuley, ex-Barca defender Juanma and long-serving goalkeeper Ben Williams.
Adam Bogdan has been released too, and while contract offers have been made to Bobby Adekanye, Edvard Tagseth, Abdi Sharif, George Johnston and Dan Atherton, it is likely most will exit—with Adekanye expected to join Lazio.
Patrik Raitanen has also confirmed his departure, with the young Finn aiming to “take the next step.”
There is likely to be considerable interest in Simon Mignolet, with the Belgian expected to request a move after admirably serving as No. 2 behind Alisson this season.
Mignolet deserves a starting spot at a top-flight club, though it remains to be seen where, and with two years left on his deal Liverpool can demand a relatively high fee.
Another player who will depart after dropping down the pecking order is Nathaniel Clyne, who spent the second half of the season on loan at Bournemouth and is now set to leave for around £15 million.
The Cherries are interested in a permanent deal, as are West Ham and, interestingly, Napoli.
Meanwhile, Rafa Camacho is set to move on, with Liverpool seeking £10 million and Wolves the most convincing buyer at this stage.
While it is unlikely they leave, it could also be that Dejan Lovren and Adam Lallana attract interest after barely playing this season, though the latter has already claimed he is set to stay.
Shaqiri has also quashed speculation of a move, but there is uncertainty over Divock Origi will put pen to paper on the contract extension offered.
Joel Matip and James Milner will also enter talks over new deals.
The futures of this season’s loanees are a hot topic, with a host of youngsters facing a pivotal summer as they decide whether to stay or go.
Ryan Kent is valued at around £12 million, which should price Rangers out of a deal, while Harry Wilson is not short of suitors including Newcastle, Southampton and Brighton, with his price tag standing at around £25 million.
Hertha Berlin are eager to seal another loan for Marko Grujic, as are Werder Bremen, while Atletico Madrid were linked with a permanent bid with the Reds said to be asking for £34.6 million.
Ben Woodburn, Ovie Ejaria, Herbie Kane, Liam Millar, Sheyi Ojo, Taiwo Awoniyi, Pedro Chirivella, Allan Rodrigues and Anderson Arroyo can also expect to leave, either on loan or permanently.
Kamil Grabara could stay and compete as third-choice goalkeeper, while there may be moves in the offing for Nat Phillips and Tony Gallacher, and a decision will need to be made over a possible loan for Curtis Jones.
Loris Karius will spend another season with Besiktas, while Danny Ings completes his £20 million switch to Southampton.
Incomings
There is little so far in terms of concrete reports of signings at Anfield, with the suggestion from the local press being that it will be a quiet summer.
However, there are three important positions to fill in terms of the squad, while an emerging story from France could indicate that another big-money arrival is on the cards.
That would be Lille winger Nicolas Pepe, with reports from L’Equipe and RMC Sport claiming Liverpool are willing to meet the Ligue 1 side’s lofty price tag of around £71 million.
It seems farfetched, but Liverpool would certainly benefit from further competition in the final third, particularly following the departure of Sturridge.
The Reds are certainly in the market for another versatile forward, though it was previously reported that this would be a cheaper deal.
Werder Bremen’s Max Kruse was linked with a free transfer to Merseyside, with the 31-year-old’s contract set to expire, while Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze is also touted.
Mignolet and Moreno also need to be replaced, and if reports are to be believed, Klopp is seeking a low-profile signing between the sticks.
Ex-West Ham stopper Adrian was mooted after becoming a free agent, while newly relegated Neil Etheridge of Cardiff was the subject of an enquiry according to reports in Wales.
At left-back, there have been few names mentioned, with the possibility being that Adam Lewis is instead promoted from the academy to serve as Andy Robertson‘s deputy.
There are likely to be more surprises as the summer unfolds, though, as unexpected deals for Fabinho, Alisson and Shaqiri last year proved.
After finishing second in the Premier League and winning the Champions League, it seems likely that not only will Liverpool look to strengthen further, but that they are now a top attraction for the biggest names.
The priority is building on the core of this squad, and perhaps the biggest positive is that no key players are set to leave.
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