Liverpool have already missed out on one of their alternative targets to Jude Bellingham, with Konrad Laimer set to join Bayern Munich instead.
The Reds have given up their pursuit of Bellingham, with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder's price tag too much for them to consider paying. Instead, they are planning to spend the money set aside for the 19-year-old on a number of different players.
Boss Jurgen Klopp is hoping to conduct a major squad rebuild in the summer transfer window following a dreadful season for his side. They find themselves at real risk of missing out on European qualification, with a number of weaknesses having been exposed.
But having pulled out of the race for Bellingham, the Reds have almost immediately been hit by another blow. Laimer was one of the players Klopp was thought to be considering as an alternative to Bellingham.
But he has already been snapped up by Bundesliga giants Bayern, according to BILD. It is said Bayern 'rushed' to strengthen their squad after their defeat to Manchester City in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
That quick decision led to them sealing an agreement for Laimer, who is set to move to the Allianz Arena on a free transfer in the summer. The midfielder's contract with RB Leipzig will expire at the end of the season.
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And the 25-year-old has now decided that Bayern will be his next club, snubbing interest from Liverpool and Chelsea. He will become Thomas Tuchel's first signing since he took over from Julian Nagelsmann.
There is a glimmer of positive news from Laimer's move to Bayern though. Current Bayern midfielder Ryan Gravenberch is also on Liverpool's shopping list, with Laimer's arrival potentially opening a route for the Dutchman to move to Anfield.
It is not known how high up Klopp's shortlist Laimer was, but the news they have missed out on him will be a blow to the German. Despite a thrilling draw with leaders Arsenal, the Reds boss is keenly aware of how much a rebuild is needed.
"We lack consistency and confidence, these are the two things and now why don't you have confidence? Because we don't have enough positive moments and if you have them then you don't build on them or you misunderstand them," he said after the draw with the Gunners.
"That's in life like it is in football, exactly the same. So, we have these ups and downs in games and over the season. That's something we didn't have ever before, since six or seven years, but we have it this year and that's obviously the situation we are going through.
"It's not cool, it's not something we wanted, but we go through this and I said it before the game: you don't sort it overnight. There are so many things that happened this year. There is an explanation for each one but in general it's what I said, that's what we lack."
