Liverpool's summer rebuild appears set to continue with the signing of Dominik Szoboszlai.
The Reds last night agreed to pay the £60m release clause in the RB Leipzig star's contract. It comes after they triggered the £35m clause in Alexis Mac Allister's Brighton & Hove Albion deal last month.
It was not so long ago that the name plastered all over the Reds rumour mill was Jude Bellingham. But while talented and desperately wanted by supporters, it quickly became fact that the Borussia Dortmund prodigy would not fit within Jurgen Klopp's allocated budget. Other targets have been sounded out while the England international has completed an initial £88.5m transfer to Real Madrid.
Silence following the Mac Allister announcement sparked a brief period of unease with only one week until Liverpool's first-team squad returns to the AXA Training Centre for pre-season. However, the announcement of an agreement with Leipzig for Szoboszlai have brushed those emotions aside.
The midfield signings make for an exciting, youthful partnership, and one that covers many bases. Mac Allister has proven he is capable in roles throughout the midfield, while Szoboszlai can fit into attacking positions in the middle or as an outright winger.
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Their signings also point in one direction - the continued use of Klopp's altered formation that saw his team end the recent Premier League campaign with an 11-match unbeaten streak.
The main differences to Klopp's traditional 4-3-3 were the employment of a defensive trio, allowing Trent Alexander-Arnold to push into midfield. Two midfielders would sit in front of the defence while the others would push on to form an attacking quintet.
So, that being said, where do Liverpool require further strengthening ahead of their quest to get back to the top of the pile?
With their two attacking midfielders ticked off the shopping list, first a more defensive-minded runner to fit in alongside Alexander-Arnold would complete the midfield equation. And Kephren Thruam could well fit the bit.
Then it would come down to what Klopp wishes to do with the left-sided role in defence - stick with Andy Robertson, or find a centre- back.
The Scotland captain has proven he can fill in that position for his country when asked, and has done so for his club last season. However, the verstatile Micky van de Ven would be the perfect final signing to act as rotation and understudy in that area.
Liverpool's dream line-up (3-2-5): Alisson; Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson/Micky van de Ven; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Khephren Thuram; Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz.
