With the transfer window remaining open for a couple more weeks, supporters remain intrigued over what further business Liverpool could conduct.
The Reds have signed three players this summer as Jurgen Klopp begins to remould his squad. Darwin Nunez, Calvin Ramsay and Fabio Carvalho were all snapped up this window. But will more follow?
And could more be sold? After all, Sadio Mane, Takumi Minamino, Divock Origi, Neco Williams and Ben Davies have all left Anfield permanently this summer.
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So, with all that in mind, our chief Liverpool FC writer Ian Doyle took part in a live Q&A on Thursday in which he addressed the big questions from Reds. Here's a round-up of them - and Ian's answers...
Is Liverpool's interest in Sander Berge true? There are also reports Jude Bellingham is expected to join Liverpool next summer - do you know anything about this?
Ian Doyle (ID): First I've heard on Sander Berge and it would be a surprise because he's gone massively under the radar at Sheffield United in the Championship and, while Klopp has previously expressed admiration of the player, the supposed asking price of £35m seems somewhat ambitious to say the least. As for Bellingham, we know Klopp really likes him, we know Liverpool would like to sign him and we know the Reds are going to sign some midfielders next summer as part of an overhaul. But we also know football doesn't always work that way... so it could happen, yes, and Liverpool will almost certainly want it to happen and, from what we hear, the player wouldn't mind it either. Whether it does, though, remains to be seen.
How many midfielders do you expect next summer?
ID: Basic mathematics indicates it is likely to be two, possibly three. At present, James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are scheduled to leave, while Jordan Henderson isn't getting any younger. But the last thing Liverpool need is to bring in an entire new midfield. It needs to be a transition. Sometimes people forget that. The 2019-2022 team wasn't built overnight. They signed Thiago in 2020, Carvalho this year, and considered Harvey Elliott as a new midfield option in 2021 - which he was until his injury. It's not as if they're not signing new midfielders. For example, they've signed three new big-money forwards in the last two years, and also a main centre-back (who played in the Champions League final) and a back-up left-back (who scored the winner in the FA Cup final) and right-back.
As many of the current midfielders at the club are consistently injured and three will be out of contract next year, the need to sign new players is surely now and not next year. Is Klopp being stubborn or is there simply no money?
ID: Klopp has already said if the right player was available at the right moment then he would look to sign him, regardless of position. The problem is if you keep buying the wrong players for the right reason, you end up with a squad like that of Manchester United or Everton. If Klopp is stubborn about anything, it's his unwillingness to lower his standards in that regard. And given where Liverpool were seven years ago compared to now, I'm always surprised more people don't give the recruitment team more leeway. They've earned the credit, surely. Klopp would no doubt like to sign 10 midfielders just in case, but it doesn't work like that. He knows the situation. Liverpool aren't Manchester City, United, Chelsea or even Newcastle United now regards owners and finances. In some cases, that's actually a good thing.
Any news on Darwin Nunez's ban? People was saying it could be more than three matches...
ID: I think the opportunity the Football Association may have had to pursue a longer ban has now passed. So it looks like three games for Darwin Nunez.
Are Liverpool interested in Konrad Laimer or Kephren Thuram? Also do you know when Konate will be back?
ID: Not heard any talk of those two and Liverpool are being extremely coy over Ibrahima Konate's injury. But reading the mood of Jurgen Klopp when he's mentioned it, it doesn't look that good. Any timescale would be a complete guess but you worry it could be a significant number of weeks.
If Naby Keita is off this summer, and do you think Liverpool will sign anyone?
ID: I would be extremely surprised if Keita left this summer unless someone puts in a rather large bid for him. If that was the case, Liverpool would have to sign someone. But it won't be easy as it's a) quite late in the window and b) the standard they need is so high, the selling club would have to quickly find a replacement or simply take the hit. Bit like a chain when buying a house, really. I still think Keita has a part to play this season if he really wants to. He has actually only missed two or possibly three games during 2022 due to injury or illness. With five substitutions allowed, he'll get plenty of minutes. I wouldn't be surprised if he started against Manchester United, for example. And I've previously written he can help unlock Darwin Nunez's pace and willingness to run in off the shoulder of defenders.
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