As Jürgen Klopp prepares for his upcoming major decision, Liverpool still has two transfer needs.

Divided opinion: Liverpool are considering a third signing this summer, but should their priority be midfield or defence? Two of our authors have their say.

Liverpool have already done more work in the transfer market than most of their Premier League rivals, with announcements and confirmations already in for Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

But what should Jürgen Klopp do before the start of the new season? In a summer of rebuilding and transition, there is still room for further refinement of the Liverpool squad.

Liverpool appear to be retaining the new line-up that served the Reds well at the end of last season, but pre-season – which starts tomorrow – should help with that.

In that system, Trent Alexander-Arnold plays a hybrid role and Mac Allister and Szoboszlai would be the attacking number eight, with Fabinho filling the support role much better (at least in theory) with more legs around him.

There is an argument for bringing in another midfielder and centre-back this summer, although which one has higher priority remains to be seen.

What should Liverpool be looking at to cross the finish line next? Two of our Liverpool.com writers have had their say and you can add your thoughts in the comments section below the article. ‘The defender has to come next’ – Matt Addison

Liverpool now have eight senior midfielders (including Stefan Bajčetić, who is senior if not years) and Cody Gakpo can also play as an attacking midfielder if needed.

There might not be many people who would think that Liverpool only need another midfielder when someone is off to such a good start, but that seems to me.

Liverpool don’t have more numbers on the pitch, but the ones that are there are more reliable and of higher quality.

There’s enough depth now when someone like Naby Keïta, who was just never in good shape when you needed him most, is substituted.
On the other hand, Liverpool seems to me a little weak in defense.

Virgil van Dijk needs to be managed and not exaggerated and Joël Matip’s contract expires next summer. It is essential to insert another central defender.

Don’t get me wrong, Roméo Lavia looks like a good talent and I wouldn’t say no to him, but if there’s a priority then staying behind with a left defender is a real must. Liverpool’s next transfer decision will be intriguing, but that’s how I would go.
“We need another midfielder” – James Findlater

There is no doubt that Liverpool need a new defender, and it certainly makes sense for them to target the backline after securing Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. But at the same time, I would strongly say that yet another midfielder is needed.

Assuming Jürgen Klopp continues his 3-2-5 system next season, he probably has his two starting options to play in advanced midfield roles in the two new signings, plus Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Jordan Henderson and Thiago to fill in , while Fabinho, Stefan Bajčetić and Trent Alexander-Arnold sorted the other two positions further back.

On the surface these seem like more than enough options, but that would ignore the various problems plaguing Liverpool as of late.

The Reds could not count on Thiago for long to keep fit, while Jones also had his own injury woes. Henderson and Fabinho showed worrying signs of decline last season, while Elliott and Bajčetić are still finding their way professionally. Whether Roméo Lavia is the answer is debatable for me, but I would feel much more comfortable with another midfielder in the ranks.

If, as The Athletic suggests, they don’t consider it until one of the current crops are gone, then perhaps it’s something they should consider, especially with Thiago’s contract expiring next year.