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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Liverpool face three more major transfer decisions as deadline day draws nearer

How has it been for you? So far, at least. With less than two weeks remaining until the transfer window slams shut, Liverpool aren't quite done with the market just yet.

The Reds undoubtedly ensured the majority of their business was concluded before a ball was kicked, Jurgen Klopp keen to shape his squad ahead of the pre-season preparations.

Circumstances, though, mean the Liverpool boss and his recruitment team cannot have their plans entirely set in stone, needing the flexibility to react and be willing to compromise given certain situations.

READ MORE: Naby Keita myth exposed as Liverpool handed potential transfer conundrum

READ MORE: Rate each Liverpool transfer deal so far in the summer window

And here's the state of play with September 1 gradually looming into view.

The players in (potential fees of £98.86m)

Once it became clear Sadio Mane couldn't be dissuaded from wanting a fresh challenge, Liverpool wasted little time in pinpointing a replacement. Darwin Nunez was identified and, with Benfica ultimately willing to do business at the right price, a deal was thrashed out that could eventually see the Uruguayan become the most expensive player in the club's history at £85million.

Fabio Carvalho had long been confirmed a Liverpool player before officially arriving from Fulham for an initial £5m. Calvin Ramsay, the teenage right-back taken from Aberdeen for a basic £4m, has yet to feature due to an historic injury.

The players out (potential fees of £71.6m)

Sadio Mane has been the most high-profile exit, departing to Bayern Munich for a fee that could earn Liverpool £35m. He was one of three forwards on their way, Takumi Minamino going to Monaco for an initial £13m, while Divock Origi joined AC Milan after his contract expired.

The Reds brought in £17m with the sale of Wales international right-back Neco Williams to Nottingham Forest, while forgotten man Ben Davies - who didn't play a single competitive minute for the club - went to Rangers for £3m, with an extra £1m likely in add-ons for the centre-back.

Goalkeeper Loris Karius was another to leave as a free agent having not featured for the first team in more than four years, with Academy graduates Elijah Dixon-Bonner, Ben Woodburn, Luis Longstaff and Sheyi Ojo following suit.

A total of 12 players have departed on loan, with Conor Bradley, Owen Beck, Rhys Williams, Leighton Clarkson and Tyler Morton among the most prominent.

What's to come

The "massive blow", as Jurgen Klopp called it, of Ibrahima Konate's knee injury has forced Liverpool to reappraise their options regards centre-backs Nat Phillips and Sepp van den Berg.

Phillips had been expected to leave on a permanent deal and has attracted interest from a number of clubs including promoted duo Bournemouth and Fulham, but made his first Premier League start in 15 months in Monday's 1-1 draw at home to Crystal Palace.

Van den Berg, who has been on the bench for the last two games, has loan interest from Championship sides Burnley and Blackburn Rovers along with clubs in Germany. It's almost certain one will be allowed to leave with one staying put as cover until January at least.

Other players could go out on loan, with Jake Cain hoping for further experience, Swindon Town and Crewe Alexandra among those to have enquired about the availability of the 20-year-old.

In terms of other business, sporting director Julian Ward is still hopeful of agreeing a new contract with Naby Keita who, in the last year of his deal, will be able to speak to clubs from abroad in January.

And then there's the engine room crisis that has seen Thiago Alcantara join Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on the sidelines for the foreseeable future. An increasing number of supporters are calling for a new midfielder to be signed. Klopp, however, has remained insistent he has sufficient options - for now.

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