One down, one or two to go. Liverpool struck before the transfer window had even officially opened last week to make Alexis Mac Allister their first major signing of the summer.
Jurgen Klopp and the Reds recruitment team have long determined the midfield as a priority as they look to overhaul an engine room that fired on full cylinders only sporadically last season.
World Cup winner Mac Allister, then, won't be the only new arrival for the middle of the park, with Liverpool whittling down their list of targets in the hope of securing at least one more such signing before the start of pre-season in just over three weeks.
Mac Allister became the 14th traditional central midfielder - those out wide and who prefer to operate in the attacking number 10 role have been discounted from the list - to have been signed by Liverpool since Fenway Sports Group assumed control of the club way back in October 2010.
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Half have come during Klopp's reign, with five given the green light by Brendan Rodgers and two by Kenny Dalglish. But which have truly made a mark at Anfield?
Thiago Alcantara (£27.4m from Bayern Munich, September 2020)
Rarely has there been a player more aesthetically pleasing to watch than Thiago. The problem for Liverpool, of course, is that hasn't been often enough, with the Spaniard having missed 65 games over the last few years due to a series of ailments ranging from coronavirus and an ear infection to hamstring problems and a serious knee injury. Quite where Thiago, who has a year left on his contract, fits in the new-look midfield next season will be of significant intrigue. Verdict: JURY STILL OUT
Fabinho (£43.7m from Monaco, July 2018)
Confirmation of the Brazilian's imminent arrival less than 48 hours after the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid was a sign Liverpool were addressing a clear shortcoming in their team. And while it took Fabinho a few months to get up to speed, he went on to become a hugely integral part of the success under Klopp. Yes, most of last season was a shocker, but by the end he had rediscovered form to show he still has a part to play. Verdict: HIT
Naby Keita (£52.75m from RB Leipzig, July 2018)
Keita was in an unusual situation in that a deal was agreed almost a full year before he finally moved to Anfield. And that meant there were unprecedented levels of expectation when he finally pulled on a Red shirt that were simply impossible to meet. While a good player, the Guinean was hampered by injury too often and lacked the physicality to be a consistent starter even when available. Verdict: MISS
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£35m from Arsenal, August 2017)
After a slow start, the England man had very much cemented himself in the engine room before the knee injury that sidelined him for a year. There was a sizeable role in the 2019/20 title-winning campaign, but injuries in each of the next three seasons saw him slide slowly out of view. A shame, and not really of his making, meaning his Liverpool career will forever be unclassifiable. Verdict: JURY ETERNALLY OUT
Gini Wijnaldum (£25m from Newcastle United, July 2016)
There were plenty of heads being scratched when the Dutchman was snapped up, mostly wondering exactly where he would play. The answer, of course, was in midfield almost every week - save the odd sojourn as a false nine or a centre-back - as Wijnaldum's durability and physicality made him a huge favourite of Klopp. His skillset has been missed since leaving in 2021. Verdict: HIT
Marko Grujic (£5.1m from Red Star Belgrade, January 2016)
The Serbian is destined to become a quiz question answer as the first signing made by Klopp as Liverpool manager. Then only 19, he was one for the future but ultimately found the team evolved much faster than he did, meaning he made only 16 appearances over more than four years in between three loan spells. That said, Grujic has since managed to forge a good career at Porto. Verdict: MISS
James Milner (free transfer from Manchester City, July 2016)
Convincing Milner to come and help restore former glories to Liverpool was an impressive parting gift from Rodgers, who had long gone by the time the value of the player was harnessed by Klopp. Milner won almost every winners' medal possible in making more than 300 appearances. A Liverpool legend? For sure. Verdict: HIT
Emre Can (£9.75m from Bayer Leverkusen, July 2014)
The German, who was only 20 when he signed, was always up against it as part of a midfield starting to move away from the Steven Gerrard era. It didn't help that he was employed in a back three for most of his debut season. However, he improved significantly when moved back into the engine room by Klopp. Easy to forget Can made 167 appearances before leaving for Juventus. Verdict: HIT
Adam Lallana (£25m from Southampton, July 2014)
The huge price tag appeared to restrict Lallana during his first season but, as with others, the arrival of Klopp breathed new life into his Liverpool career as his energetic pressing and ability between the lines made him a favourite of the manager. Injury slowed him down significantly during the latter seasons, but he kept appearances ticking over. Verdict: HIT
Luis Alberto (£6.8m from Sevilla, June 2013)
It'll probably come as a surprise to many Liverpool supporters that Alberto made as many as 12 appearances during his one season at the club before being shipped out on loans. A case of a move too early in his career, the Spaniard has gone on to become a huge success at Lazio in Italy. Verdict: MISS
Joe Allen (£15m from Swansea City, August 2012)
Allen wasn't helped by being dubbed "the Welsh Xavi" on arrival, a tag which was impossible to live up to. While never a regular due to occasional injury and inconsistent form, he was still gaining plenty of minutes in Klopp's first season before being sold after a cameo in the Europa League final defeat to Sevilla in 2016. Verdict: MISS
Charlie Adam (£6.75m from Blackpool, July 2011)
The Scotland international had done more than most in attempting in vain to keep Blackpool in the Premier League the season before, but it wasn't long before it became clear he wasn't quite at the standard required at Liverpool. Signed by Dalglish, he managed a full campaign before, two appearances into the next, he was moved on by Rodgers. Verdict: MISS
Jordan Henderson (£16m from Sunderland, June 2011)
Had matters turned out differently, Henderson would have followed Adam out the exit with Rodgers wanting to swap him for Fulham's Clint Dempsey. Instead, the former Sunderland man stood firm, and has gone on to become the only player to captain a single English club to become champions of England and Europe while also lifting the FA Cup and League Cup. Not bad, then. Verdict: HIT
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