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Liverpool Echo

Sport

Matt Smith

Jurgen Klopp's dream Liverpool squad if they complete three more transfers

Jurgen Klopp Liverpool Alexis Mac Allister Dominik Szoboszlai Khephren Thuram Levi Colwill Joel Matip Mac Allister Romeo Lavia Darwin Nunez

Liverpool kick-off their 2023/2024 Premier League season with a mouth-watering opening-day clash against Mauricio Pochettino's Chelsea next month with Jurgen Klopp's side looking to bounce back from an underwhelming campaign last time.

Having failed to have won any silverware nor secure Champions League football, Klopp and the Reds hierarchy have opted to rejuvenate their ranks by allowing long-serving stalwarts such as James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita to depart Merseyside.

Liverpool fans will be content with the club's early summer incomings with midfield stars Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister making the switch to Anfield, adding much-needed legs and creativity to the middle of the park. While a third summer window signing does not seem imminent, it is hard to picture only two new players fulfilling the gap of five, if you include Arthur Melo's return to Juventus.

Links have been drawn to the likes of Romeo Lavia, Khephren Thuram and Gabri Veiga, while news emerged last week that the Reds have enquired about Levi Colwill's future at Chelsea, with the 20-year-old set for talks with Pochettino after helping England' win the European Under-21 Championship.

Arguably, it can be said that the arrivals of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai mean that there is little need to strengthen Klopp's first-choice starting line-up. Though, with a gruelling season that will include Europa League football beckoning, there is also a definite need to add sufficient strength in depth.

Due to FSG's cost-proficient recruitment strategy, outgoings could play a part in the amount of activity we see at Anfield this summer. The likes of Thiago, Jordan Henderson and Mohamed Salah were linked with moved to Saudi Arabia in recent times, with Joel Matip said to be of interest to Besiktas.

If Matip does, in fact, leave, an extra defender is sure to be on Klopp's wish list - if it is not already Currently, Virgil van Dijk, Matip, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Nat Phillips all represent right-footed defensive options. The latter is said to be the subject of interest from Leeds and Feyenoord, too.

Adding the left-footed Colwill could change the dynamic of Liverpool's build-up play and make them a more threatening outfit when in possession of the ball. There is lingering doubt surrounding his future as Colwill wants assurances over the amount of first-team football available to him at Chelsea next season and faces competition from fellow left-footed defender Benoit Badiashile.

In midfield, too, the Reds could improve further stylistically through further additions. Lavia developed a reputation as one of the Premier League's most press-resistant midfielders last season and would act as an upgrade on either Milner, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Keita or Arthur.

Germain journalist Florian Plettenberg claims that, while there is currently no agreement in place with Southampton, Reds boss Klopp is particularly keen on adding Lavia to his ranks.

It is also added that the Belgian starlet is yet to agree personal terms with Liverpool and that the relegated Saints will demand a fee of £50m for the former Manchester City man.

Thuram is a different style of player, who normally plays as a defensive midfielder but likes to dribble and move into the opposition box as well. Last term, he directly contributed to 10 goals in all tournaments.

Spanish source Nacional claims that the France midfielder is wanted by the Reds, Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Though, the latter will apparently struggle to meet Nice's demands.

Nice are said to want around £25.6m for Thuram, a fee which is stated Liverpool are prepared to pay for what would be their third signing of the summer.

In attack, the Reds are destined to get better. Both Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo can be expected to enjoy improved seasons now they have adapted to English football, while Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota have shown what they can do when available. Nobody is doubting Salah's ability, either!

With all of that in mind, here is what Klopp's dream squad could look like once the transfer window closes, provided the Reds sign Colwill, Thuram and Lavia: