It took Liverpool just 11 days after their 2022/23 season finish to complete the signing of Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton.
The swift nature of such a transfer was no shock. Jurgen Klopp has always been keen to get the majority of his incoming transfer business completed before his side report for pre-season.
“We have to step up. And we have to prepare that in the pre-season and that's why I want them back together as quick as somehow possible, respecting the necessity of holidays,” the German said of the Reds’ pre-season plans back in April.
"I know that and I respect that and I want them to go on holiday for as long as possible but for this year we have to make sure we are together as soon as possible and can go from there."
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After Liverpool’s final game of the season against Southampton, he again hinted at early transfer business at Anfield.
"I have a break – I don’t have training and those kind of things – but a pretty busy period hopefully starts now as well in a different area of the game and I’m more than happy to do that,” he said. “I will find time to re-energise and then we start again in July.”
There is an added hunger at Anfield for Liverpool to hit the ground running next season, following their disappointing campaign this time out which saw them fail to qualify for the Champions League for the first time since 2016. Early transfer business will aid such preparations.
Discounting the enforced, emergency signing of Arthur Melo on loan on transfer deadline day, the Reds completed their incoming business for the summer by June 19 last year when confirming the arrival of Calvin Ramsay. In 2021, Ibrahima Konate was Liverpool’s only summer signing with a deal agreed on May 28.
Admittedly, given the Reds’ pressing need for a midfield revamp this summer, it was even more necessary for them to start their incoming business quickly. And with Mac Allister, who is only the start of such surgery, set to report for international duty with Argentina next week, Liverpool were eager to complete his transfer before such commitments as a result.
Yet no sooner had the 24-year-old been unveiled, and Kopite attentions were already turning to who could be next. While the World Cup winner is a proven Premier League star, edging towards his peak years, it would seem the Reds’ next recruit could be a younger model.
Liverpool continue to be linked with a plethora of midfielders, with Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone currently leading the speculation ahead of the likes of Romeo Lavia, Ryan Gravenberch, and Gabri Veiga.
This in itself could present the Reds with another international race against the clock, with all of the aforementioned names set to compete in this summer’s Under-21s European Championships in Romania and Georgia. The tournament is set to get underway on June 21, with the final taking place on July 8.
Should the Reds push ahead with moves for any of the players taking part in the tournament, you’d expect them, as was their approach with Mac Allister ahead of Argentina international duty, to want such transfers completed before it gets underway. While that gives Liverpool 12 days to complete such business, realistically it is less with consideration to potential targets actually linking up with their respective nations sooner.
Another knock-on effect of the European Championships is any player taking part would miss the start of the Reds’ pre-season, with Liverpool actually set to report back at the AXA Training Centre on July 8 - the same day as the final. As a result, the club already know they will be without Sepp van den Berg at the start of the summer after he was named in the Netherlands squad.
Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are both expected to be included in England’s squad for the tournament, given the fact that both players are currently taking part in a 24-man training camp at St. George's Park. Elsewhere, while the Czech Republic squad hasn't been confirmed, goalkeeper Vitezslav Jaros is likely to be called up.
France have already confirmed their final squad for the tournament, with both Thuram and Kone included. Reports continue to link Liverpool with the Nice and Borussia Monchengladbach midfielders, with suggestions talks have been held with their respective representatives. At the very least, they are believed to be under consideration. Striker Elye Wahi is also named the Les Bleus squad after speculation linking him with a move to Anfield earlier this year.
The Netherlands have also confirmed their final squad, with Bayern Munich midfielder Gravenberch among their quota. VfL Wolfsburg defender Micky van de Ven and Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen, who have also been linked with the Reds in recent months, have also been included.
Southampton midfielder Lavia has also been named in the Belgium preliminary squad for the tournament, while Chelsea defender Levi Colwill, who is also of interest to Liverpool, is part of the current England Under-21s training camp. Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite is also part of Lee Carsley’s squad following previous links with the Reds.
Elsewhere, the likes of Veiga, Luka Sucic, and Goncalo Inacio are all in line to be called up by Spain, Croatia, and Portugal respectively. Speculation linking Liverpool with the latter two has cooled in recent weeks, in contrast to increasing reported interest in the Celta Vigo star.
Multiple Reds eyes are set to be on the European Championships in the weeks ahead as Liverpool keep an eye on the progress of their own players, while also continuing to monitor reported players of interest.
But if Reds bosses are genuinely interested in signing any of the aforementioned stars, with Thuram and Kone current chief suspects, Liverpool could soon make their move and add to their own quota of representatives in Romania and Georgia before the tournament gets underway.
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