Young defenders and midfielders are Liverpool’s top two transfer priorities moving forward.

Alexis Mac Allister was Liverpool’s first summer signing, but the rumor mill was already in overdrive about who would be coming in next before last week’s official unveiling.

Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, Gabri Veiga of Celta Vigo, Manu Kone of Borussia Monchengladbach, Khephren Thuram of Nice, Romeo Lavia of Southampton, and Borussia Monchengladbach?

There is no doubt that Liverpool needs at least one more midfielder to join the 24-year-old Mac Allister who has recently joined the team.

The departures of James Milner, Naby Keita, and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain following the expiration of their contracts have severely depleted that area of Jurgen Klopp’s team, which was a glaring weakness for the majority of last season.

With the hiring of Mac Allister, Julian Ward’s tenure as sporting director came to an end and Jorg Schmadtke was officially given the reins.

Schmadtke has been in talks with clubs and agents all over Europe for the past week along with chief scout Barry Hunter and director of recruitment Dave Fallows. Liverpool is still weighing their options, so it’s unclear which direction they will take next.

In an effort to make the most of their resources, Mac Allister was given priority, and ever since, it has been a matter of taking stock and determining who else is available and at what cost.

Liverpool sees no urgency given that the international window won’t open until July 1 and that the English clubs’ transfer window only officially opened today.

Although Klopp would prefer for everything to be finished by July 8, when preseason training at Kirkby begins, he is also aware that things may take longer than expected. International events, such as the Under-21 European Championship beginning on June 21 in Romania and Georgia, complicate the situation.

Thuram, Kone, Veiga, Gravenberch, and Lavia are the five members of the aforementioned quintet that have been taken into consideration. That isn’t, however, a complete shortlist.

James Ward-Prowse of Southampton is one candidate who isn’t on Liverpool’s shortlist despite recent rumors linking him to a transfer to Anfield. He doesn’t fit the mold because he’s 28.

Mason Mount, 24, of Chelsea, is also no longer an option because his asking price of between £70m and £80m, which is deemed to be greatly excessive for the England international with only one year left on his contract, has been rejected. His likely final destination is still Manchester United.

Thuram, 22, who is the brother of Marcus Thuram of Borussia Monchengladbach and the son of former France international Lilian, is valued at about £50 million by Nice and has drawn interest from a number of Premier League teams. Senior Liverpool officials denied rumors that they had already reached a personal agreement with the player’s representatives.

Veiga, 21, of Celta Vigo, who has a release clause of about £34 million, would be a less expensive choice, while Lavia, 19, has Premier League experience through Southampton. Positive discussions were had with the family of 21-year-old Gravenberch, but any chance of signing the Dutch international depends on Bayern Munich reversing their position, as the Bundesliga champions have been adamant he is not for sale.

The price of the deals that are offered will have a significant impact on whether Liverpool signs one or two more midfielders this summer. The club does not believe that they must sign two more players if they want to fill gaps. Only seven league games in 2022–23 saw Keita and Oxlade–Chamberlain start together.

Even though Thiago is entering the final year of his contract, Klopp is already making plans for the upcoming campaign with the former playmaker for Bayern Munich. In the summer of 2024, when he will be 33, it is anticipated that he will depart on his own.

After missing the final two months of the season due to an injury, Stefan Bajcetic, a young Spaniard, will return to Liverpool during the preseason. Additionally, Curtis Jones’ quick progress during the 11-game winning streak, which raised spirits after a difficult season, helps. Another player who is anticipated to regain his form is Harvey Elliott, and Tyler Morton, who spent a successful season on loan at Blackburn Rovers, will be evaluated in the preseason.

After battling his way out of a slump, Fabinho had a strong season finale, and Klopp still sees him as essential moving forward. Following Liverpool’s rejection of RB Leipzig’s allegedly derisory offer, Fabio Carvalho is expected to be loaned out. After a successful season on loan at Aberdeen, Leighton Clarkson, a recent academy graduate, is anticipated to depart on a permanent basis.

In addition to the midfield, Liverpool is looking for a center-back. Alongside Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate has solidified himself as the starter, but injuries have limited the France international to just 53 appearances over the course of two seasons.

They’d ideally sign a young, vivacious defender this summer who can serve as a top-notch backup. According to reports in Germany, Bayern’s Benjamin Pavard, who can play right back and in the middle, has been linked to Liverpool. However, because Pavard is 27 years old, recruitment staff does not see him as a potential candidate.

Joel Matip is anticipated to complete his contract’s final year rather than leave, similar to Thiago.

Liverpool are not looking to buy a right-back, but it is unclear if Klopp will keep Trent Alexander-Arnold in the hybrid position that gave him a boost during the final stretch.

Teenager Conor Bradley, who is returning to the team after a standout loan stint at Bolton Wanderers, will be given opportunities during preseason by Klopp. The international for Northern Ireland claims that his time away made him more resilient.

Despite the loss of Milner, Joe Gomez can still play right back for Liverpool. Calvin Ramsay, who was acquired from Aberdeen a year ago to serve as Alexander-Arnold’s backup, will spend the upcoming campaign on loan at Preston North End as he attempts to move past a year marred by injuries.

Goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, 24, is still in the same situation. The Republic of Ireland international is not for sale, according to Liverpool, who also want him to remain as Alisson’s backup. Whether a top-tier club puts that resolve to the test is unknown.

Despite the loss of Roberto Firmino, who scored 13 goals across all competitions in 2022–23, Liverpool do not plan to expand their attacking options. Following his January arrival from PSV Eindhoven, Cody Gakpo successfully filled the Brazilian’s shoes by settling into the false-nine role with ease.

Gakpo, Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, and Darwin Nunez are the five front-line attackers for Klopp. Federico Chiesa is not being pursued by Liverpool for £30 million as reported in Italian media.

The additional difficulty of losing Salah in January to the Ivory Coast’s Africa Cup of Nations will affect the upcoming campaign. Ben Doak, a teenage winger, is expected to play a bigger role after making five appearances for the senior team in 2022–2023. In addition, Klopp has the talented young striker Kaide Gordon on the comeback trail, and Jota is another option on the right flank if necessary.

There is still work to be done as Liverpool looks to add more quality to its midfield and defense, but after moving quickly and decisively to sign Mac Allister, patience will be rewarded among an eager fan base as Klopp and Schmadtke think through their next step.