Liverpool's difficult Premier League season continued on Saturday with a 3-0 defeat to Brighton, and while the reverse on the South Coast only exposed the problems in midfield it hinted at other major issues that are simmering underneath the surface.
Indeed, while much of the focus has been on the potential signing of Jude Bellingham amid an overhaul of Liverpool's options in the middle of the park, ruthless decisions may also be needed at the back.
Liverpool's squad was once regarded as among the best in Europe, but it is now showing signs of aging and the affects of playing week in, week out at your maximum effort while competing for the biggest of honours. Like every great side, new blood is needed if continued success is to be had.
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And Virgil van Dijk's absence has showed that long-term investment may also be needed in Liverpool's backline. Fortunately, there are options available, and Liverpool may even have an advantage or two when it comes to one in-demand star.
Because Josko Gvardiol may be destined to become the world's best central defender according to Rio Ferdinand and the Croatian World Cup star hasn't been shy when talking about Liverpool being his 'dream' club. The 20-year-old could form a formidable partnership with Ibrahima Konate for the next decade should he end up at Anfield.
The Zagreb-born defender is blessed with every ability needed to reach the top of the game and his reassuring presence in the World Cup for Croatia only proved that. While Lionel Messi may have gotten the better of the youngster in the semi-final, he can be forgiven for being turned by the best ever.
But Gvardiol could soon follow a similar path to Konate, if Liverpool were to act this summer.
The young defender currently plies his trade in Germany with RB Leipzig, where he has built his burgeoning reputation - and where Liverpool have successfully shopped in previous years. The Reds have previously held close ties with a club who had Naby Keita and Ibrahima Konate on the books, as well as with sister club RB Salzburg, who Sadio Mane and Takumi Minamino both turned out for.
Indeed, after moving to Liverpool in the summer of 2021 for a bargain fee of £36 million from the Bundesliga side, Konate has quickly become a fan favourite on the Kop and his commanding performances at the age of 24 make it quite clear he will be the heart of the defence for years to come.
With a win percentage of 72%, the Frenchman makes the Reds a much more solid side, and he boasts all the attributes to play in Liverpool's high line defensive system. His Champions League final performance in May and how he played so maturely for France at the World Cup made it evident no occasion fazes him.
Meanwhile, at 25 years old, Joe Gomez might find himself at a crossroads in his career; does he stay at Liverpool, where he only signed a new, long-term deal last summer, and be a bit-part player or does he move on to try and regain his place his in the England squad? Gareth Southgate isn't exactly blessed with defensive options, but the Reds number two still missed out on a place in the World Cup squad entirely.
Gomez is fast approaching eight years at Anfield, but had made just 164 appearances due to cruel injuries to his knee and Achilles. There aren't many things more valuable to a side than availability and continuity - Klopp hasn't been given this luxury throughout his Reds tenure.
It's fair to argue that the former Charlton man has therefore never fully established himself at Anfield, having been sidelined when he has found form, and while he makes a good third or fourth choice option, he may not want to be that forever.
And Klopp has been accused in recent weeks of being too loyal to his players. It's something that he denies, instead explaining that he needs the opportunity to replace aging players and, if not, he must stay loyal in order to get the best out of them, saying: "I heard I'm too loyal but I am not too loyal. The problem is too complex. If you can then go out and bring in another player to replace him, then it makes sense."
And now, there are even question marks raised around stalwarts Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip this season. The Dutchman is one of the best things to have happened to the club in recent history, but a horrible ACL injury in 2020 has been met with playing almost every game since his recovery in the pre-season of 2021. At 31, it could be argued that Van Dijk needs to be protected more and his recent hamstring injury may be proof of that. Meanwhile, Matip starting in just six Premier League games this campaign speaks for itself.
The Cameroonian has been one of the best free signings in the Premier League's history, but countless injuries may be starting to take their toll - none more so than the serious ankle injury that required surgery in January 2021. The season, his confidence in marauding forward with the ball and breaking the lines with his forward passes has, at times, vanished, resulting in a major hit to Liverpool's build-up play.
Football has fast become a young man's game with Mikel Arteta's youthful Arsenal side enjoying a healthy lead at the top of the Premier League table. The Gunners side boasts an average age of 24 while Liverpool's average age of the side dismantled at Brighton was 27. It's been clear for some time that fresh blood is needed in this Reds team.
Liverpool seemingly plan on making Bellingham their marquee signing in the summer, but Gvardiol should be second in line. At a rumoured price of upwards of £70 million, that fee would look like a steal in years to come with the Croatian showing his tremendous talents at the tender age of just 20.
Despite strong links to big spending Chelsea, judging by what Gvardiol has said in recent times, it seems unlikely he would turn down a move to Anfield after he told RTLDanas: "That would definitely be Liverpool. Since I was little, I watched a lot of Liverpool matches with my dad and we covered every season in detail. It is a club that has remained in my heart."
Make Gvaridol's Liverpool dream come true in the summer and a future centre half partnership of the Croatian and Konate is one no striker would look forward to playing against.
And it might just give Liverpool the platform to return to their very best once again.
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