Members of ECHO's sports team rate their dream window at Liverpool this summer
Liverpool are rapidly approaching what is considered one of the most important transfer windows in their recent history.
With rebuilding needs becoming urgent at Anfield, the Reds continue to be linked with a host of midfielders, including top target Jude Bellingham.
Here, the ECHO sports team assesses what would represent Liverpool's realistic 'dream window'.
Paul Gost:
Five as midfield undergoes massive rebuild
The question is how much money Liverpool will spend this summer. Now, with Champions League entry uncertain and the owners of Fenway Sports Group continuing to assess the value of potential investors, this is a major challenge that, even now, few people will experience. Assuming, for the sake of discussion, that money had already been spent on a certain England international at Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool would still have to have further surgery on their midfield options even if Jude Bellingham breaks the club record. 75 million was paid to Virgil van Dijk in 2018.
Bellingham has the potential to be a find at Anfield. At 19, signing him from Dortmund this summer will give the Reds a central midfielder for much of the next decade, if he develops as his early years at the football level suggest. There is therefore little wonder here about making him Liverpool's first player worth more than £100m.
The question is how much of the prize pool is left if Bellingham can get stuck against rivals Real Madrid and Manchester City? Joao Palhinha was an outstanding player in his first season in the Premier League.
The Portugal international only joined Fulham last summer for £17m from Sporting but has been an unexpected boost to European spots under Marco Silva this season. He currently leads the league in tackles and duels and the defensive midfielder has become a fixture at Craven Cottage. Liverpool have a good relationship with Palhinha's agency Gestifute, who also represent Fabinho, Diogo Jota and Fabio Carvalho, which is an important factor.
Newcastle's Bruno Guimaraes would be a sensational purchase, but getting the Brazilian out of the northeast could prove beyond Liverpool this summer. If Mason Mount can be lured away from Chelsea for a reasonable price, he is someone who can add another dimension to midfield. At 24, Mount's best years may still be ahead and he could become something like the 'new Adam Lallana' at Anfield under Klopp:
a versatile and technically adept midfielder who can take on many roles.
Youri Tielemans, of Leicester City, is a man of intrigue, as his future free agent. For a team in dire need of quality midfielders at a club not flooded with hundreds of millions of pounds, the Belgium international is certainly worth it.
And considering that this is a (relatively realistic) dream scenario, goalkeeper Samir Handanovic could join Inter on a free transfer this summer as a quality and experienced backup for Alisson. Becker to take on the 'adrian's role' in the Liverpool squad. As required:
Two great deals and four free transfers
Liverpool need a big summer transfer window if they are to ensure this transfer window lasts just one season, with their top priority being a midfield overhaul.
With Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Juventus loanee Arthur Melo set to leave, James Milner is likely to join them and Fabinho will soon join the Reds' vice-captains, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara at level over 30 years old, ideally Liverpool will bring in three people .
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