Liverpool have less than a week until the September 1 transfer deadline as they look to drastically improve their squad. Andoni Iraola's side were held 2-2 by Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the Premier League.
The game showed exactly what the Reds are lacking, namely direct pace in wide areas and stability in the midfield. With Liverpool understood to be in talks with PSG over a move for Bradley Barcola and Brighton for Yankuba Minteh, speed on the wings may not be too far away.
However, the Reds' conundrum in midfield is an entirely different prospect. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at what Liverpool's dream end to the summer transfer window would look like.
Sign Barcola
It's the transfer saga that seems to be showing no sign of ending. Paris Saint-Germain winger Barcola, 23, has been a top target for Liverpool this summer and the Reds must get the deal over the line.
The two clubs have been locked in negotiations for some time. Luis Enrique's side are said to be looking for a fee of around £130-£140million to part ways with the France international.
While an agreement on a figure has yet to be thrashed out, it's understood that Barcola is open to joining Liverpool. The 23-year-old's desire could help facilitate a move, especially after the Champions League winners brought in Maghnes Akliouche, Ferran Torres and Mika Godts.
It was claimed that a fee between £111m and £128m will be enough for the Reds to secure their long-awaited target. Rio Ngumoha, for all his gumption, was found lacking on the right wing against Newcastle on Sunday.
Bring in Mo Salah's replacement
It's been a long time coming, but could Minteh be Salah's replacement at Liverpool? Salah left the Reds this summer and it looked like movement for a right winger had stalled. However, Liverpool have had bids in the region of £50m and £60m rejected by the Seagulls for their star man.
The Gambian winger is thought to be valued at over £70m, with the Reds considering a third bid. Similarly to Barcola, while a fee hasn't yet been finalised between the clubs, Minteh is said to be keen on a move to Anfield and has already agreed personal terms, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Minteh will give the Reds organic width, and while he is currently injured, he has built a reputation as an aggressive creator in his two seasons with Brighton. His goal record, just ten across two years, would need to improve but at only 22 years old, he has ample time to introduce that element into his game.
On the downside, Liverpool are reportedly willing to let Cody Gakpo leave, with Spurs and Manchester City interested, in order to finalise deals for Barcola and Minteh. While Gakpo has frustrated on occasion, his return of 51 goals since January 2023 is respectable and he will be sorely missed if he was to depart in the next few days.
Recruit a midfielder
It's the one area of the pitch many Liverpool fans are screaming for to be addressed, and arguably the one that won't be. Not in this window, anyway.
The sale of Curtis Jones to Inter Milan has many fans concerned that the Reds are leaving themselves short of top quality in the middle this season. Liverpool's engine room issues were laid bare against Newcastle.
Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai were often outnumbered and struggled to make up ground as the Magpies countered. Former Red Jamie Carragher claimed Iraola needs another midfielder with the physical attributes to accompany Gravenberch in the No. 6 position.
It's believed Reds youngster Trey Nyoni will get a part to play this season, although the teenager didn't make it onto the pitch at St James' Park. Alexis Mac Allister did provide durability when he came on, but wasn't deemed good enough to start the game.
Who's available? Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton would be an ideal acquisition but the London club are in no mood to sell one of their prized assets with less than a week to go until the window closes.
Bournemouth's Alex Scott and Monaco's Lamine Camara would all surely provide stability - but for now, it seems the Reds are fully focused on prioritising their forward line.
