Liverpool's dream end to the summer transfer window

The organised chaos era of Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool is over. They have instead chosen to embrace pure chaos.

The Reds have had an up-and-down start to the 2023/24 season, but having taken seven points from a possible nine - including four from trips to Chelsea and Newcastle United - it's hard to knock them too much.

Sure, the Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia sagas were excruciatingly embarrassing. Sure, Jude Bellingham got away when fans thought he was heading to Anfield. Sure, Darwin Darwin Nunez by Pete Boc isn't top of the charts despite the Uruguayan's tremendous brace at the weekend.

But Liverpool still have reasons to be positive, and a fine end to the transfer window could further lift spirits on Merseyside.

Here's Liverpool's ideal end to the 2023/24 summer transfer window.

Liverpool's summer transfers so far

Ins:

• Alexis Mac Allister (MF) - Brighton & Hove Albion - £55m
• Dominik Szoboszlai (MF) - RB Leipzig - £65m
• Wataru Endo (MF) - Stuttgart - £16.2m

Outs:

• Leighton Clarkson - Aberdeen - Undisclosed
• James Milner - Brighton & Hove Albion - Free transfer
• Naby Keita - Werder Bremen - Free transfer
• Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain - Besiktas - Free transfer
• Jordan Henderson - Al Ettifaq - £12m
• Fabinho - Al Ittihad - £40m
• Max Woltman - Oxford United - Undisclosed

Which positions do Liverpool need to strengthen in?

Despite bringing in three midfielders this summer, Liverpool are still short of defensive holding players.

Most of Wataru Endo's minutes in that role so far have come with the Reds reduced to ten men so it's hard to judge him too much to this point, but some more pedigree in that position wouldn't go amiss.

If Liverpool are to also persist with their high line and comical defending, they could also do with another physical body to help bear that load. New club captain Virgil van Dijk is in hot water after being sent off on Sunday and has been charged by the FA over misconduct, while his usual partners of Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate are unreliable fitness bets.

As always, some competition for Trent Alexander-Arnold would be nice, but it's a need unlikely to be facilitated this late in the window.

Which players are Liverpool targeting?

Long-term Liverpool target Ryan Gravenberch could end up at Anfield prior to Friday's transfer deadline after Bayern Munich softened their stance on a summer exit.

Both Liverpool and Bayern Munich hold an interest in Manchester City outcast Kalvin Phillips, who represents at least a proven option in defensive midfield.

Which players could leave Liverpool?

While Liverpool are adamant he will not be sold, Al Ittihad's interest in Mohamed Salah is refusing to go away.

90min understands that Salah is open to a move to Saudi Arabia, though the Reds would likely only be tempted into a sale by a club-record figure - this number currently stands at £142m which Barcelona paid for Philippe Coutinho in 2018. In an ideal world for Liverpool, they stand firm and keep hold of their best player.

Konate and Thiago Alcantara have also been linked with moves to the Saudi Pro League this summer, though only the latter would likely be allowed to leave.

Nat Phillips could leave on loan again after tumbling way down the pecking order in recent seasons. Middlesbrough, who have been tipped to fight for promotion again but have started the new campaign poorly, are linked with the centre-back.

Liverpool's dream end to the summer transfer window

Ins

• Ryan Gravenberch (MF) - Bayern Munich - £20m
• Kalvin Phillips (MF) - Manchester City - £25m

Outs

• Thiago Alcantara - Al Ettifaq - £20m
• Nat Phillips - Middlesbrough - Loan

LISTEN NOW TO 90MIN'S TALKING TRANSFERS PODCAST

On this edition of Talking Transfers, part of the 90min podcast network, Scott Saunders is joined by Toby Cudworth and Graeme Bailey to discuss Man Utd's links to Marc Cucurella and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Romelu Lukaku's impending exit from Chelsea, West Ham's attempts to revive a deal for Harry Maguire & more!

If you can't see this embed, click here to listen to the podcast!