With sporting director Julian Ward set to leave at the end of the season and a top four still unlikely, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding Liverpool's plans for the upcoming summer transfer window.
While Jurgen Klopp should be supported in the market, it is unclear how much money he will have to spend.
Liverpool have pulled out of the race to sign Jude Bellingham, with the club seemingly unwilling to spend most of their budget on just one player.
The decision to end their interest in Bellingham suggests that Liverpool won't be swinging their arms too much this summer, with Klopp himself having recently downplayed expectations.
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"I never understood why we are constantly talking about things that we can't theoretically have," Klopp said after being asked about Bellingham. "We can't have six players this summer and each earn 100m for example. That's pretty obvious. You have to realize what you can do and then work on it."
"That's always the way I work," added Klopp.
"Everything I wanted and needed, we tried our best to get it, but there are times when you have to accept that this or that is not possible for us. Let's step aside and do things. something different."
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So what's different? Clues to Liverpool's summer transfer plans can be discovered in Klopp's previous signings as Reds manager, particularly those made during the transfer window. his first summer at Anfield.
He made six signings in the summer of 2016, some better than others. While low-risk signings like Loris Karius (4.7m), Ragnar Klavan (4.2m) and Alex Manninger (free) have failed, there have also been three successful transfers. .
The signing of Joel Matip on a free transfer from Schalke has proven to be a breakthrough, while Sadio Mane will become a club legend after joining for 36m from Southampton.
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But perhaps the most impressive move this summer was the signing of Georginio Wijnaldum for 23m from Newcastle United. After the Warblers were relegated from the Premier League, Liverpool stepped up the signing of Wijnaldum ahead of several other top clubs.
Like Matip and Mane, Wijnaldum played a key role in Liverpool's transition under Klopp - the midfielder won both the Champions League and the Premier League before leaving PSG in 2021.
Will Klopp repeat Wijnaldum's trick?
With Liverpool set to invest in a major midfielder this summer, with Chelsea star Mason Mount and Brighton duo Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo on their list of transfer targets, Klopp is certain to Look for less expensive options to increase your power. midfield.
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One of the potential signings is US international Yunus Musah, who is also being targeted by Arsenal. Musah, 20, could be sold this summer by Valencia to the 17th-placed Spanish club in La Liga and threatened with relegation.
According to Spanish newspaper Fichajes, Valencia are 'ready to listen' to offers from Musah and are looking for a price tag between 30m (26.1m) and 40m (35m) for the midfielder. This. But it is also thought that if Valencia are relegated, their asking price could drop to just 20m (17.4m).
With Liverpool needing to sign some new midfielders, signing Musah could be a wise deal - with Klopp adept at turning promising talents into world-class players. , as evidenced by the change of Wijnaldum under the German coach.
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