Alexis Mac Allister looks set to become a Liverpool player as Jurgen Klopp paves the way for what is set to be a busy summer in a bid to eradicate previous mistakes.
The Reds are patching up the wounds from a disappointing season that saw them manage to salvage qualification for European football next season. Their formidable run at the business end of the season meant that they secured Europa League football in what was the worst Premier League position in a full season that the German has been in charge of.
With three midfield departures scheduled for the end of June, a squad overhaul has been billed at Anfield. Jude Bellingham was one of the names frequently linked with a move to the Reds but the plans were shelved due to the asking price.
Liverpool came close to securing an unprecedented quadruple in 2022 but were pipped to the accolade on the final day of the Premier League season by Manchester City as Real Madrid ran out victors in the Champions League final in Paris.
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Many believed last summer should've been the marker for change at Anfield, which would have potentially seen the Reds build upon their phenomenal run. The sale of Sadio Mane wasn't much of a surprise after a number of hints were dropped about the Senegalese forward's future in the preparations for the encounter against Los Blancos.
Darwin Nunez was among the high-profile summer signings with Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsey bolstering the ranks in attack and defence. But much of the frustration from fractions of the fan base was the lack of investment in the engine room. The decision not to refresh the midfield brought criticism.
Injuries are often the root of many downfalls, as was the case when the Reds struggled with defensive casualties during the COVID season, and the hasty move for Arthur Melo in light of Jordan Henderson's injury sparked the concern that many foresaw.
The Juventus midfielder arrived on deadline day after the Liverpool skipper suffered a hamstring injury during the win over Newcastle United at Anfield. At that time; Thiago, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain were on the treatment table which left Fabinho, James Milner, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones.
The 22-year-old had yet to play a Premier League minute and later in the campaign, his game time was monitored by medical chiefs at Anfield as they looked to ease back into the fold following injury.
A season on, Jones especially has staked his claim to be a first-team regular after playing a starring role in the Reds' 11-match unbeaten run at the end of the season.
With the summer transfer window around the corner, this time around it appears that Liverpool have learned from their mistakes and are making up for lost time as they look to refresh the squad with Alexis Mac Allister set to become the first Liverpool summer signing.
As each report emerges, the glowing praise of the Argentinian shines through. At the age of 24, the Kop will welcome a player with the capabilities to become an idol, already immortalised in his homeland following their World Cup heroics.
He has enjoyed an astronomic rise from the player that the Seagulls scouted from AA Argentinos Juniors. During Brighton's historic season that saw them clinch European football for the first time, Mac Allister contributed key moments that catapulted them into contention.
With the formalities now seemingly being crossed off, the consensus remains that the Reds will continue their movement in the transfer window and it's imperative that they do so. France duo Khephren Thuram and Manu Kone are being frequently linked with Anfield moves with suggestions that contact has been made.
Mason Mount has been a long-standing target but it has emerged that the Chelsea midfielder prefers a move to Manchester United. Romeo Lavia and Matheus Nunes have admirers with Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch also said to be of interest.
With the current Liverpool midfield edging towards their 30s, it's important that a similar blueprint to Real Madrid is followed so that they integrate promising talents into the squad while the current crop, moulded on Liverpool's recent success, to ensure that the winning feeling continues in L4.
The upcoming sees the Reds not in the Champions League for just the second time under the guise of the German tactician. The Europa League remains the only honour that the former Borussia Dortmund head coach has yet to add to his glistening collection.
In Klopp's first summer in charge, Liverpool welcomed revolutionary signings which forged aspects of the squads that won the Champions League, Premier League and scooped the domestic cup double.
Manchester City and Arsenal, this season, have shown the importance of refreshing the squad in the market. Pep Guardiola's side continue to run away from the competition.
Mac Allister's arrival should spark the first of a much-needed influx of arrivals and Liverpool need to continue learning from their previous transfer market mistakes.
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