Liverpool might not have things all their own way when it comes to tracking Alexis Mac Allister this summer - but signing the Brighton playmaker and two other high-profile players will help manager Jurgen Klopp put together his dream line-up for next season.
Having shelved plans to target Borussia Dortmund sensation Jude Bellingham when the market reopens - owing to the financial costs involved - Liverpool will instead aim to spread out the budget. With that, Mac Allister has sprung to the forefront, although reports suggest he might set the Reds back £70m.
Impressive displays for Brighton this season have seen the Argentina playmaker skyrocket in value and, then, came the iconic World Cup triumph which has propelled him further on the global stage. As such, Liverpool are not tipped to have a free run at his sought-after signature.
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As reported, the ECHO understands Manchester City and Manchester United are also keen on signing Mac Allister, while Klopp and his recruitment team have already earmarked the 24-year-old as a prime target.
If their man signs on the dotted line, Liverpool will consider any wait (or price) worthwhile, but his would-be arrival will not signal the end of their summer business. Further midfielders are on radar - including Mason Mount and Ryan Gravenberch amid his Bayern Munich struggles - while defensive additions are not beyond question.
Of course, there are many important details to iron out before anything concrete happens. However, in the dream scenario that Mac Allister, Ajax defender Jurrien Timber and Mount pitch up at Anfield before next season, Klopp can really start to piece together another mouth-watering starting XI to compete at the Premier League summit.
Here's a look at one possible line-up for Klopp and Liverpool to jot down...
Liverpool's dream line-up (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Timber, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Fabinho, Mount; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
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