Having taken the decision to step away from a pursuit of Jude Bellingham, Liverpool might have been forgiven for believing there would be less demand in those their attentions had instead been turned towards.
But after earmarking Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister as their primary target, post-Bellingham - a decision that was seemingly made, definitively, during the March international break when a recruitment meeting was undertaken - it appears as though the Reds are now also bracing themselves for similarly strong interest in the Argentina World Cup winner.
Reports over the weekend suggested Liverpool had all but agreed personal terms with Mac Allister, who is on the cusp of ending a campaign that has already seen him win a World Cup by inspiring Brighton to Europa League qualification. Those at Anfield have since dismissed those suggestions, which news of Man City's emergence as an interested party would appear to strongly back up.
