It all changed for Liverpool in 2018 with the game changing signings of Virgil van Dijk in January and Alisson Becker in July.
Those two signings were the final pieces of the puzzle for Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool were then transformed into a winning machine who lifted the Champions League, UEFA Super Cup, FIFA Club World Cup and Premier League in the matter of a year.
Now, with football always evolving, Liverpool are in danger of being left behind by their big spending Premier League rivals and it is time for Klopp to capture his top targets in order to restore the Reds back to the top of European football.
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Liverpool's pursuit of a new midfielder was well documented in the summer of 2022, but their failure to sign French star Aurelien Tchouameni derailed the transfer plans. Real Madrid flexed their muscles with the £85million capture as the 22-year-old later admitted he had heard of Klopp's interest.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on Tchouameni, fans were quick to find their next ray of hope - Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham.
Liverpool reported asked about the availability of Bellingham in the summer just gone, but Dortmund were unwilling to negotiate after selling Erling Haaland to Manchester City, but it seems very likely the England star will be departing the Bundesliga in around six months' time.
Recent reports have suggested the Reds are the frontrunners for the 19-year-old with Bellingham's family pushing for a return to England. The midfielder is also said to be keen on becoming a leader at Anfield.
This signing would see Liverpool having to part with between £85m and £130m, but, like the £75m and £65m spent on Van Dijk and Alisson, it would be money that would see a game-changer join Anfield.
Van Dijk's signing in January 2018 improved Liverpool tenfold as they reached their first Champions League final in 11 years. Loris Karius ' performance forced Klopp to move for Alisson and what a move that turned out to be.
Liverpool would go on to become Champions of Europe the following campaign and winning their first league title in three decades the season after. Game changing signings.
The World Cup showed just what Bellingham can bring to a Liverpool midfield in dire need of rejuvenating, as has another Liverpool target in Enzo Fernandez.
Argentine midfielder Fernandez has been a revelation for the South American side since coming into the side after their shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in the opening match, going on to help Lionel Messi and co to the grandest prize in world football.
The 21-year-old has reportedly 'agreed personal terms' with Liverpool ahead of a big-money move from Benfica. The Portuguese club signed the midfielder in the summer for just £10m and could be set to bank much more than that for their star.
Fernandez has shown the quality he brings to any side with his deep-lying playmaker style of play, and he can be the perfect long-term replacement for Thiago Alcantara. Ten caps for Argentina and 13 appearances for Benfica is all it took for Fernandez to be recognised by both Liverpool and Real Madrid.
With Bellingham only 19 and Fernandez just two years older, a near £200m investment could see Liverpool's midfield transform from aging and vulnerable to the best in the Premier League.
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