Liverpool gave a reminder on Monday of why they remain a force to be reckoned with by thumping Leeds United.
The 6-1 success at Elland Road got the Reds back to winning ways in the Premier League after four games without a victory and, while it did not move them any higher up the table, it did keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League alive.
But even if Liverpool, who host relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest on Saturday, do put together a stirring end-of-season run that sees them finish inside the top four, it is now well established that Jurgen Klopp's squad will undergo a overhaul this summer after what has been, by their own high standards, an underwhelming campaign.
READ MORE: Liverpool could lose 14 players this summer as exit plans start to emerge
Little wonder, then, that our latest Q&A with the Liverpool ECHO's chief LFC Ian Doyle was dominated by transfer talk. You can see every question he answered by clicking HERE.
But below are some of the highlights...
therealmightyreds: Any news on Fabio Carvalho's future? Will LFC look for a loan next season given the limited opportunities this season?
Ian Doyle (ID): No decisions have yet been taken on any players who could leave. Of which there may be many in the summer, by the way. A big transfer window awaits.
footballisthewinner72: From the murmurs you are receiving and taking into account the number of midfielders leaving, is there a minimum number of incomings in that department we should expect? What is the current situation with midfielders - is there one standout or are the Reds linked with a plethora in the engine room?
ID: Liverpool will sign two midfielders and it may well end up being three. That might change if any of the current ones who remain under contract next season ask to leave. Mason Mount is the obvious one the Reds are chasing, but personally I think they need a defensive midfielder. A third one would be an energetic, young one. Plus it's worth bearing in mind at least one will have to be homegrown to help Liverpool meet the usual quota.
nathanq2: Any links to any centre-back? And what's the latest on a back-up goalkeeper ?
ID: I mean, there are loads of links out there to centre-backs, but nothing will happen until they work out what might be going on with the ones they already have - meaning most probably Joel Matip and Nat Phillips. Adrian is out of contract in the summer, and I wouldn't be surprised if someone tempted Caoimhin Kelleher into departing. But that would depend on Liverpool bringing in another goalkeeper. All ifs and buts at the moment.
mikolit212: 1. Out of all the midfielders we are linked with right now, who do you think are most likely to leave their current club and are really open to joining our club?
2. Even if Bayern Munich are not really open to selling Ryan Gravenberch, do you still think it is still likely for Ryan to leave the club even after only one year in Germany?
3. Are there really transfer links with Nicolo Barella to a transfer out of Inter Milan?
4. From your own perspective, do you have think Liverpool should be in the market for a new centre-back?
ID: 1. Mount seems the most likely, although in truth I'd imagine most midfielders would want to join Liverpool. One bad season doesn't destroy what's gone before, and working with Jurgen Klopp is still a massive lure for most players.
2. I'd be surprised, but if the fee is big enough they might consider it.
3. Klopp likes him but the ongoing success at Inter makes him rather expensive. Plus he's one player who might decide he's best staying put.
4. I think Nat Phillips will leave in the summer and wouldn't be surprised if Joel Matip departs, so a new centre-back is being assessed, yes.
KAndi942: What is happening with the Ryan Gravenberch deal? Also, are we pushing to sign Alexis Mc Allister ?
ID: Alexis Mac Allister is one of many midfielders Liverpool like, but that's as far as it goes at the moment.
SiSenor973: There’s so little point in buying any midfielder who’s not Jude Bellingham. They are doomed to fail from the outset and will be constantly compared to him. Thought we had learned from 2014 that we should spend on proven quality and not spread the money out over several options who aren’t good enough.
ID: Well, Liverpool were always going to buy more than one midfielder in the summer, so does that mean the second purchase was doomed to fail because they'd always be compared to him? The difference with 2014 is Liverpool were left scrambling around at the last minute for a forward. This time around, they have put in plenty of groundwork and there are a lot of midfielders available who would improve them, and they'll be intent on getting them in early. And, who knows what will happen with Bellingham in the future.
Handmedownred3: Do you think Klopp and the coaching team are finally beginning to realise our 4-3-3 system is no longer working with what players we have available and we are going to evolve in to something different? Possibly a 3-2-2-3 as most opposition teams have our number, especially away from home.
ID: Liverpool realised quite some time ago - almost three years ago in fact - that they needed tactical variety. That's why they signed Diogo Jota and Thiago Alcantara. As you have mentioned, it's entirely dependent on players available, and the usual 4-3-3 seems tough going with the current midfield options. But the summer will address those. Having more tactical tweaks always helps, though, and if the next eight games allow Trent Alexander-Arnold a bit more freedom to come forward in some games, that'll be something worth pursuing. But I'd expect it to be 4-3-3 or a variation of next season for the most part.
SMagic16062: Any word on the sporting director search? Seems some links to Tim Steidten.
ID: I've been told he is not someone who is under consideration by Liverpool at this present time. It's become rather clear, though, the new sporting director won't be as much involved in this summer's deals as the outgoing Julian Ward.
moiid122: Why are Liverpool's owners sticking to Liverpool if they can't compete with Man City, Man Utd and Chelsea, who are spending money? If the Liverpool owners sell the club in the future, who do you think will be the new owners?
ID: FSG are looking for outside investment to help bolster the transfer funds for Jurgen Klopp so they can compete better with the seemingly limitless resources of some of their rivals. The huge value of LFC means the number of potential buyers is small, and as I'm not a billionaire I don't move in those circles so can't really even take a punt as to who could take over. I doubt they'll be from my home town St Helens, though!
therealmightyreds2: Any news on the pre-season plans? Will they stay in Europe (which Jurgen likes) or will missing out on the Champions League force them to consider more lucrative Asia/Australia tours?
ID: As far as we know, they are doing both. Nothing has been confirmed, but pretty sure they'll start with a training camp in Europe - Germany has been discussed - and then head off to Asia again, most probably Singapore, for a week. But nothing concrete yet.
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