Liverpool missed out on a second Premier League title in the most agonising fashion on the last day of last season and Jurgen Klopp will be keen to ensure they do not meet the same fate again next term.
The Reds have invested wisely so far this transfer window and have even smashed their club-record fee after forking out £80m plus add-ons to secure the signature of former Benfica starlet Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan international has endured a mixed pre-season campaign so far, as have Liverpool as a collective.
Two wins and two defeats from four games is hardly faultless form, but Reds boss Klopp is hardly fearful of his side's fortunes ahead of the new season.
Here are all off Mirror Football's main Liverpool headlines and talking points compiled in one place.
Liverpool sent Minamino warning
The Reds have been informed they are set to miss out on the "peak years" of Japanese international and former Anfield star Takumi Minamino after selling him to Ligue 1 outfit Monaco.
The French outfit's head of recruitment Paul Mitchell explained: "It was difficult for him at Liverpool, because you look at the wealth of quality that Jurgen Klopp has at his disposal, and Liverpool have always recruited really strongly and very efficiently.
"Options and opportunity were so limited, and we are fortunate because of that. We get a player coming into his peak years."
The former RB Salzburg star joined Monaco on a four-year contract last month after Liverpool accepted a £15.4million offer.
Jurgen Klopp submits 'board request'
Though he has previously insisted Liverpool's business for this summer had already been completed, Klopp could be weighing up a shock move for Real Madrid star Federico Valverde.
Liverpool's midfield has come in for some serious scrutiny this window, with many surprised the club aren't desperately trying to strengthen their options in the position considering the ages of Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara.
Spanish outlet Nacional, per the Liverpool Echo, reports that Klopp is 'obsessed' with Valverde and has asked the board to pay whatever it takes to get him.
However, considering he is tied to the Santiago Bernabeu until 2027 - it is going to take quite the fee to pry Valverde away from the Spanish capital.
Liverpool's glaring "big issue"
The Reds boss may regret his decision not to enter the market for a midfielder this summer transfer window if a deal for Valverde fails to materialise, according to Liverpool hero Didi Hamann.
"The biggest issue with Liverpool is the lack of an attacking midfielder. They need to find a few goals from midfield but the way they're set up now I can't see them doing that," Hamann told Genting Casino.
Liverpool were beaten 1-0 by RB Sazburg in their most recent outing, but Hamann is not concerned. "Fans shouldn't be worried about Liverpool's pre-season form," he added.
"RB Salzburg have already started their season so in terms of fitness they're two or three weeks ahead of Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp made a lot of changes so I wouldn't read too much into that result."
