Liverpool's summer spend is set to hit almost £300m but now Arne Slot's squad is expected to be trimmed with several fringe figures near exits
Liverpool are acclimatising in Asia ahead of their first pre-season friendly against AC Milan on Saturday while their latest sensational transfer nears completion as Hugo Ekitike jets into London for a medical ahead of a £79m move.
That will take their summer spend to date to almost the £300m mark as the Anfield club look to build a squad capable of retaining the Premier League title but it also means Arne Slot is now expected to bid farewell to a number of players before the campaign gets underway.
Luiz Diaz’s future remains perhaps most intriguing. Bayern Munich have already a bid of about £60m rejected and the Colombia forward would like to explore an opportunity elsewhere.
And while Liverpool's stance is that he is not for sale, with Diaz continuing to train with the first team as normal, they are bracing for an improved bid from the Bundesliga champions.
Diaz is understood to be keen to depart because he wants a new contract - but the Reds hierarchy are in no rush to give him one. The belief of the 28-year-old and his agent is that he is underpaid at Anfield, when compared to team-mates of similar standing in the first-team squad.
The club are open to offers for misfit Darwin Nunez, however, after two seasons in which he failed to live up to his £85m fee.
Atletico Madrid appear to have quietened their interest with Liverpool keen to hold out for £70mm while Napoli have gone elsewhere, but there remains the potential of a big money switch to Saudi Arabia for the Uruguay international
England Under-21 midfielder Harvey Elliott, who won player of the tournament at last month's Euros, is another who likely to depart if the right offer is made having found it difficult to earn sustained minutes last season.
He spoke candidly during the title winning campaign for his desire to play more often and had asked Slot what he needed to do to get a greater look in.
But Liverpool won't sell him on the cheap. A number of Premier League sides are looking, but none are keen on a £50million price tag.
Several other youngsters could be playing elsewhere this season too.
Defensive midfielder Tyler Morton, 22, has interest from Premier League sides and could move either on loan or a permanent deal. Ben Doak, Luca Stephenson and James McConnell could all be in line for season-long loan moves too.