The coming transfer window will mark something of a shift in approach at Liverpool.
In recent years, the Reds have become famed for their studious attitude where the transfer market is concerned, adding to their ranks from positions of strength more often than not under Jurgen Klopp.
Players like Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were all signed at a time when the focus was one of integrating small numbers into a group who had already proven themselves as winners.
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This summer, however, Liverpool will be seeking to add to their squad at a time when they are coming off the lowest finish of a full season under Jurgen Klopp, whose first complete term was the 2016/17 campaign.
With James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Roberto Firmino all leaving the club and the debate around the strength of the midfield department at Klopp's disposal set to rage on for some time yet, it's possible to make the argument that the pool of players capable of improving the Reds is deeper than it has been over the last few seasons.
As a result, it might become more difficult, even to the more trained eye, to decipher between fact and fiction as the sheer volume of players Liverpool are linked to in the rumour mill gets set to go into overdrive in the coming weeks.
Midfielders are the priority and that is probably football's worst-kept secret as the Reds approach a pivotal window of player trading that will have a huge say on what Klopp is able to do in the coming years.
Whereas previously the Reds boss has been able to dine out on his steadfast insistence that it was Virgil van Dijk or no-one when it came to who he wanted as the cornerstone of his defence - and the same goes for Alisson Becker as his goalkeeper - a fifth-place finish to a difficult campaign has left more room for improvement.
Keeping the powder dry for the No.1 target is an admirable strategy when the squad is strong enough to thrive in the meantime, but after a certain point, it can become little more than idealistic folly. Is now the time to adopt a more pragmatic stance?
That is maybe part of the reasons that have seen the club take the decision to move away from a blockbuster pursuit of Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham, particularly if there was no guarantee the England international would choose Anfield amid strong interest from Real Madrid anyway.
That's not to say that Liverpool should - or will - abandon the core principles that have made them some of the most astute recruiters on the continent in the last five years but the bar for those who are able to improve the team is not as high as in recent years, particularly during the period of 2019 and 2022 when Klopp lifted every major trophy available.
It's an imperfect situation but it does at least mean there are more players who have the requisite skills to upgrade the midfield next season. There's also a case to be made for the centre-back slots too given the indifferent performances of Joe Gomez and Joel Matip across the 22/23 campaign.
Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister is Liverpool's primary target this summer and the admission of his manager, Roberto De Zerbi, on Sunday augurs well for those tasked with bringing him to Anfield.
“I think it can be the last game for Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo," De Zerbi said after their superb season ended with qualification to the Europa League. "It is right that they can leave, they can play at a higher level."
Beyond the Argentina World Cup winner, there's an interest in Ryan Gravenberch at Bayern Munich, while Liverpool sources insist they are yet to be informed about Mason Mount's next move as Mauricio Pochettino prepares to begin life as the new Chelsea manager and links to Manchester United go on.
"The transfer market only makes sense if you can bring in the right player," Klopp said back in August. "The right player, not a player." That general ethos will continue to hold sway at the AXA Centre but given there is now something of blank canvas to sketch out a new-look midfield, there is more than just one right player for Liverpool this summer. It's why it promises to be a fascinating period.
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