Liverpool have already been busy in the transfer market this summer as Jurgen Klopp reshapes his squad.
Fabio Carvalho, Darwin Nunez and Calvin Ramsay have all been signed within the first couple of weeks of the window opening. But, despite these deals already being done, other players continue to be linked with a move this summer.
Anfield sources have indicated that, after the arrival of Ramsay, further incomings will not be forthcoming However, that hasn’t stopped rumours circling over potentially more additions.
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READ MORE: Manchester United vision in tatters after Darwin Nunez transfer as Liverpool exploit £1bn truth
And on Monday, the ECHO’s very own Theo Squires hosted a live Q&A where he was on hand to respond to your questions about Liverpool. Here is a round-up of what was discussed.
Kandi94: What is happening with Mo Salah and Liverpool?
TS: Salah's situation is unchanged. No agreement over a new deal as things stand with club and player yet to find a compromise in negotiations. The Egyptian will want to be one of the best-paid players in the world and is deserving of such status. The issue is such terms are way out of proportion compared to the rest of the Liverpool squad. If the Reds met such demands, they could well have to hike up a number of other wages which isn't feasible.
Liverpool won't be held to ransom. They've let Mane, Wijnaldum and Can all depart after not agreeing a new contract and Salah will join that list if a compromise can't be reached. While it's a daunting prospect, they have enough credit in the bank to be trusted to find a suitable replacement.
But they haven't given up hope of keeping Salah just yet. If it was any other player making such demands when the wrong side of 30, it would be story over. But Salah's status shows he is worth that little bit more. They're still try to agree to new terms but know time is running out.
LFCcinti: Taking into account the fluid nature of the shape, would your player selection change much if the initial on paper line-up was a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1?
TS: Most of the team would be the same with the identity of that final midfielder/number 10 varying depending on formation between Henderson, Keita, Elliott, Firmino, Jones and Carvalho you'd imagine.
JAzlfc8: Are you confident in us getting Jude Bellingham next summer?
TS: If Liverpool want him, I'd back them to get him. But as it stands, it's still a big if.
David: Do you think Naby Keita will get a new deal?
TS: Talks will be held once pre-season gets underway and the club wants to offer him one. Up to him if the terms are acceptable for him and he signs it.
RamonRazor: Do you really think we will go into the season without moving for a younger established player for centre midfield to help Fabinho as he seems to be the only natural holding midfielder we have?
TS: I feel Jones and Elliott will play more this season so Henderson won't start as much as a result. Therefore he's the back-up to Fabinho, with Morton also doing decent enough last season. There's also the possibility of switching to 4-2-3-1 which again leaves Henderson as the back-up without him playing every game he's not CDM further forward.
TomLFC: Is Nicolo Barella paper talk?
TS: It seems to be at the moment.
David: Fabio Carvalho is an excellent player. How much game time do you think he will get?
TS: He'll get the domestic cup games for sure, essentially replacing Origi and Minamino if he goes too. Five subs across the board this season so should get a few league and European appearances too. It's a good starting point with how well he does deciding how much more he gets.
Todd Jenkins: In terms of the Academy, we've seen continuous investment here, what can you tell us about incomings and outgoings?
TS: Can't tell you much about the ones coming in as not seen them play yet, though Ben Doak is obviously highly-rated having broken into the Celtic team briefly last year.
Regarding the kids, the U21s, U18s etc report back to the AXA Training Centre before the first team. There Pep Lijnders etc will take a look and see which ones they might want to be involved in the first team this summer. That's how Kaide Gordon got his chance last year.
If Mateusz Musialowski impresses, then perhaps he could get called up. Then it's up to him to do enough in pre-season to take that next step. But he was still adjusting to U23s football last year truth be told, and there are probably others ahead of him in the pecking order unless he really catches the eye.
LFC1900: If Mane had not wanted to leave and no midfield signings were expected this summer, would the transfer window have only included Calvin Ramsay and Fabio Carvalho (who both have huge potential but might not be able to make a massive impact instantly)?
TS: Impossible to say as they are working behind the scenes to refresh the midfield and the attack regardless of contracts. They would have needed a new forward still and did still try for a midfielder.
NQuinn: Would Matheus Nunes, Florian Neuhaus or Christoph Baumgartner be of interest, all are still young?
TS: No suggestion beyond paper talk at the moment as far as I know. But Liverpool will have a shortlist of targets.
YNWA1986: Is there any information of how much Liverpool are offering Salah and how much does he want?
TS: It's believed Liverpool's highest earners are on a little over £200k a week. I don't know figures myself but the suggestion elsewhere is that Salah could want near to double that. Yes, he deserves to be one of the best-paid players in the world. But Liverpool can't give such a wage to any player without destroying the wage bill, never mind one over 30. As you say, any significant rise to him could have others knocking on the door.
NQuinn: If another midfielder became available other than Jude would they move for them now instead of waiting? Which players would they be looking at? Would Matheus Nunes or a similar type of player be of interest ?
TS: Depends how much they want the alternative. Salah and Mane weren't first-choice signings for example but they moved for them when missing out on Brandt and Gotze. If Bellingham is still available and is who they want, I'd expect them to wait. It paid off when moving for the likes of Van Dijk, Alisson, Robertson, Konate etc
BootroomPHD: With Mane and Origi already gone and more to follow, are Darwin Nunez and two kids enough to overturn the four titles in five City have won when they have Alvarez and phenom Haaland already in with Cucarella and Kalvin Phillips imminent? Also did we overpay for Nunez, only Haaland and Alvarez combined were 20million less (wages are irrelevant and not confirmed btw)?
TS: Liverpool seem to think so so I guess we'll see. They have a clear strategy in place and will be judged on the pitch. Nearly winning a quadruple last year shows they aren't far off. If Nunez comes in and settles immediately, their squad is as strong as it needs to be.
Wages aren't irrelevant. Haaland is supposed to earning three times as much as Nunez. The upfront fee for Nunez was £64m. For the full £85m to be paid, he has to deliver with goals, appearances and trophies. A Champions League run for example helps pay back some of those add-ons as a result.
So initial payments, he's what? £13m more than Haaland on a third of the wage? So after a season, City have already paid that in extra wages to Haaland.
LFC7: If Dortmund were to make Jude Bellingham available this summer at a price which was deemed acceptable, would the club try and get him this summer? Also would like to know why the club keep delaying a move for a midfielder when it was a position which needed reinforcing last summer?
TS: My gut feeling is yes, if he is the midfielder they indeed want to sign. All we know at the moment is they like him a lot, he's currently not for sale until 2023 and midfield plans are on hold until 2023. I'll leave you to decide if that's all connected or not.
But it makes no sense for Dortmund if they sell now. Having sold Haaland, they don't need the money and they know Bellingham's value goes up after the World Cup.
Well, the eight midfielders they had last year nearly won them a quadruple and are all still under contract. They've refreshed the attack this year, it'll be midfield in 2023. It's a calculated gamble but there is another year in their current midfield options.
David: Is there any interest in Wijnaldum and is Bellingham the top target for midfield next summer?
TS: When a fee was agreed for Ramsay, we were told transfer business for the summer was done and any links saying otherwise were nonsense. So I'd imagine the Gini link is exactly that, nonsense. I can see why it would make sense but Liverpool's whole project is about moving forward and part of that is giving Jones and Elliott more minutes. Signing Wijnaldum, even on loan, would compromise that.
We know they like Bellingham a lot, as do most top clubs truth be told, and we know a midfield is now the priority for 2023 when Dortmund will be willing to sign him. Whether 2+2=4 or 5, I guess we'll find out next summer.
