The transfer market is a hard place to navigate and it can be difficult to have the perfect summer window but Liverpool made the right steps when they acquired Alexis Mac Allister.
Jurgen Klopp and his recruitment team moved fast to sign the Argentine midfielder from Brighton & Hove Albion before thewindow even opened. The Reds moved quietly and patiently to sign the World Cup winner as he became the first piece to the puzzle ahead of what has been billed as a huge period under the German.
It is no secret that the club struggled in stages last season despite challenging for Champions League qualification until the penultimate game of the Premier League season. Europa League and Thursday night football will have to suffice for the next 12 months, it is hoped, but problems and cracks were evident from the first game against Fulham at Craven Cottage.
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Indeed, Liverpool were a shadow of themselves as Alisson Becker was worked hard throughout the season. They had Brazilian to thank for keeping the damage limited in parts but it became apparent that change would be needed.
For the first time under Klopp, he was open in his assessment of what was needed to be improved. The focus is clear with Mac Allister being the first of, what is hoped, to be a number of new faces at Anfield.
Khephren Thuram and Ryan Gravenberch are among the candidates to adorn the famous red this summer as both players eye under-21 European Championships success.
Both of whom are valid contenders for starting places in the Liverpool midfield. Thuram's combative nature and capabilities has earned plaudits from colleagues and opponents in France.
Meanwhile, the Dutchman, Gravenberch, burst onto the scene as a 16-year-old at Ajax but despite moving to Bayern Munich last summer, he encountered difficulty in his debut season at the Allianz Arena as he failed to land regular starting spots - prompting speculation over his future in Bavaria.
With three midfield options departing upon the expiry of their contracts at Anfield, in a perfect world Liverpool signing the duo would reinforce the department with Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson in and around 30 years of age.
Plus Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Stefan Bajcetic all of whom played important roles during different stages of the season throughout the campaign. Jones made 11 consecutive appearances during the Reds unbeaten run which secured European football.
Meanwhile, former Fulham midfielder Elliott enjoyed a spell in the starting line-up throughout the campaign but struggled to break back into the squad during their formidable run. And Celta Vigo product Bajcetic was one of the breakthrough players from Liverpool's season as he established himself as a bonafide starter at the turn of the year as Klopp rang the changes.
Talks of attacking additions in the form of Juventus' Federico Chiesa and Victor Osimhen of Napoli are premature as the attacking department is well-stocked at Anfield.
Roberto Firmino's departure leaves a hole following his successful eight-year stint on Merseyside but the arrival of Cody Gakpo in January has seen him integrate into that central role. Both players could cost the Reds around £50m to £80m respectively with Manchester United firmly in the picture to sign last season's Serie A-winner.
Micky van de Ven has been hotly linked with a move to the Reds this summer with defensive additions a possibility. Tottenham Hotspur are among the interested parties with Ange Postecoglu looking to bolster his side ahead of his debut season in the English top-flight.
The Dutchman fits the profile of a left-sided defender, as well as Chelsea's Levi Colwill who has admirers on Merseyside, if chiefs at Liverpool look to be proactive in welcoming reinforcements alongside Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez as Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip both in their 30s.
For the Reds in terms of their additions, they could make great strides to a superb window should they sign Thuram and/or Gravenberch as well as a defensive signing to accompany Mac Allister.
But much of Liverpool's success in the market could hinge on their rivals failure.
Unlike recent seasons where Liverpool were focused on Manchester City and their dealings, the Reds are firmly locked into battle to reclaim their place in the top four with the resurgence of the Red Devils and Newcastle United. Arsenal established themselves as title contenders once again last season as they narrowly missed out to City with Chelsea and Spurs eyeing redemption after their respective campaigns.
Manchester United
United nudged themselves in front of their North West rivals in the race to sign Mason Mount. However, figures at Old Trafford are frustrated at their three bids for the England international being rebuffed.
There are suggestions that Erik ten Hag's side could walk away from negotiations after their £55m bid was turned down despite the 24-year-old being out of contract next summer. Reports claim that their attention has turned to Brighton's Moises Caicedo as an alternative.
United are in the market for a new goalkeeper as well as midfield and forward additions. Question marks remain over David de Gea's future and although he claimed the Golden Glove award last season, the Manchester Evening News reports that doubts are mounting and the club eyes a new number one. Andre Onana, David Raya and Everton's Jordan Pickford have been mooted as options.
In the forward area, Osimhen, Harry Kane and Randal Kolo Muani are among the players speculated with Old Trafford moves. Ten Hag faces the conundrum, amid lingering takeover talks, of how he should buy players this summer but the outlay is looking to be in excess of £100m.
Newcastle
In the North East, the Magpies are set to break their transfer record for a second successive season as Sandro Tonali edges closer to his big-money move from AC Milan. A sum of £55m has been reported that will bring the Italian to the Premier League as Newcastle prepare for their first Champions League campaign since 2000.
Like the Red Devils, there are two other departments that they're looking to add quality to. James Maddison remains a target but the Toon Army face competition from Spurs for his signature. Much of Newcastle's business was done last summer and in January, however they remain linked with defenders, midfielders and forwards.
Eddie Howe's side already face an eye-watering outlay with the arrival of the Italy U21 captain and further signings will likely be costly.
Chelsea
Chelsea, who Liverpool kick-off their campaign against, are said to be on the verge of signing Nicolas Jackson. The Villarreal striker will set back the Londoners a reported £30m but he won't be the only player on the move in the capital. Kai Havertz struggled last season and his time at Stamford Bridge looks set to be over as he eyes a reunion with Jorginho at London rivals Arsenal.
Mauricio Pochettino inherits a bloated squad after their free-spending last season in Todd Boehly's first transfer windows as owner. Mount faces an uncertain future as they look to cash in before his contracts up but they remain firmly in the hunt for additions with Osimhen and Caicedo among their reported targets.
Chelsea finished in mid-table last season as they were alongside Liverpool for disappointing campaigns. It's expected they will be looking for redemption but they again look to invest heavily just months after acquiring Enzo Fernandez for £106.8m.
Arsenal
The battle between Arsenal and Manchester City has moved from the pitch to the negotiations table as they look to sign Declan Rice. The West Ham captain is subject to immense scrutiny as clubs try to persuade the England international away from the Hammers. Mikel Arteta's side have already had two bids rejected and a third bid is anticipated to be towards £100m.
Their business doesn't end there, recent reports are suggesting that they are close to defensive reinforcements as Jurrien Timber looks set to leave Ajax. The Gunners were left devastated by City's late surge to the Premier League summit as they relinquished their lead at the top.
Man City
The Citizens face losing Kyle Walker as his future at the Etihad Stadium remains uncertain with his defensive partner Joao Cancelo also linked with a move away following his loan spell with Bayern Munich in the second half of the season. Their focus will be firmly on making their treble a quadruple next season after their almost perfect campaign and their transfer business doesn't look like it will be on hold.
Josko Gvardiol has been tipped to become a City player next season with talks of a big-money move from RB Leipzig speculated. There is change in Manchester as they bid farewell to captain Ilkay Gundogan meanwhile Bernardo Silva faces an uncertain future despite an offer to extend with interest from Barcelona, PSG and Saudi Arabia.
Middle Eastern involvement in the transfer market has added another obstacle for Premier League clubs to get over as they fight to keep their key assets. Liverpool have to be mindful of overspending for their targets in the current climate but they have made the first steps in their overhaul while their rivals scramble for their additions.
When the window closes in September, the Reds will be hoping that they will be preparing for their trip to Stamford Bridge with all the main players on their shortlist acquired. Their top four opposition are not looking to rest on their laurels but their movement in the window, or lack of, could provide a boost for Klopp's side.
