Alexander Isak.
Alexander Isak continues to be linked with a blockbuster transfer to Liverpool.
Liverpool now know their path to defending the Premier League title after their curtain-raiser against AFC Bournemouth was locked in. Around Arne Slot's time on holiday, the Dutchman would have already been putting plans in place to tackle their bid to regain the top-flight crown.
The head coach guided the Reds to their second title in five years, and he undoubtedly will be hoping to learn the lessons from 2020-21, which saw their efforts to win back-to-back honours in vain. Their intent is already clear and in the transfer window, Liverpool are striking while the iron is hot.
They may be without Trent Alexander-Arnold after the creative force ran down his contract before moving to Real Madrid but they moved quickly to sign Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen, in order to avoid fixing the depleted area.
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There will be greater competition for Conor Bradley, who signed a new deal in the days after the England international announced the end of his association with Anfield.
The business on Merseyside doesn't appear to be stopping there, with the window reopened, it looks like a busy and hectic few weeks before a ball is kicked in anger on that Friday evening in August against the Cherries.
Andoni Iraola looks set to come up against a former player, too. The two clubs are in talks over a deal which would see Hungarian full-back Milos Kerkez move to Merseyside, with the south-coast club valuing the 21-year-old at £45million.
Liverpool are also on the verge of completing a record transfer to bring Frimpong's former Leverkusen teammate, Florian Wirtz, to the Premier League.
The impending arrival of the German is fiercely anticipated after the Reds struck a deal to sign the 22-year-old last week.
Incomings aren't the only port of call in the North West, with a host of players being linked with moves away. It is looking increasingly likely that Darwin Nunez will leave the club after a difficult stint in the Premier League.
The Uruguayan is being linked with a move to Napoli, Atletico Madrid or a lucrative Saudi Arabia switch.
Liverpool could also return to the negotiations table for a new number nine, once attention turns to sales with Federico Chiesa, Diogo Jota and Luis Diaz wanted by clubs across Europe.
The rumour mill has been working overtime to speculate over who the next talisman on Merseyside will be.
There has been Hugo Ekitke of Eintracht Frankfurt, valued at £85million by the German club, Viktor Gyokeres, who is wanted by Arsenal and Manchester United, and more recently, Alexander Isak with reports suggesting the Reds could break the transfer record twice in one window.
The Magpies reportedly value the Sweden international at £150million after a sterling season in the North East, with the forward inspiring Newcastle to qualify for the Champions League once again.
Kostas Tsimikas, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all been linked with moves away too. The Greek full-back has been mooted with a cross-top-flight move to Leeds United in recent months.
Meanwhile, Robertson emerged as a shock top candidate for Atletico Madrid as part of their push for left-back reinforcements.
And Virgil van Dijk's central defensive partner finds himself in a similar situation as the Dutchman did last season with his contract set to expire in 12 months. Konate is the subject of speculation over a move to Paris Saint-Germain or Real Madrid, both who are said to be keen to acquire the Frenchman's services.
Fringe players such as Joe Gomez, Jarell Quansah, Harvey Elliott and Tyler Morton are also facing speculation over their futures, which could raise funds in excess of £100million, should the likes of Nunez and Chiesa depart too.
But doing so will involve letting a number of the options off the bench go—all of which will need replacing in some capacity.
The burning sense of anticipation is fuelling a promising summer for the Reds with the influx of talent set to join the Premier League champions.
On the flip side, Slot faces a selection headache after finally getting his teeth in the squad - 12 months, a top-flight winners' medal, a promising Champions League campaign and a Carabao Cup final, later.
Liverpool have the opportunity to lay down a marker that they are serious in their title defence and an impressive win over Bournemouth would go a long way, in what already looks like a tricky opening few weeks of the season for the Reds - with clashes against Newcastle United, Arsenal and local rivals Everton in the first six weeks of the season.
Liverpool dream XI for the first game of the season vs Bournemouth
Goalkeeper - Alisson Becker
Despite the arrival of Giorgi Mamardashvili, the Brazilian stalwart would be expected to deputise between the sticks. Alisson proved to be a key player and made a number of crucial contributions throughout the Premier League-winning campaign to ensure that Arsenal, nor Man City could catch the Reds.
Defence - Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson
Although Frimpong is in the building and Kerkez is reportedly increasingly likely to make the move, Slot could look to utilise the back four that started in their final day draw with Crystal Palace. The Dutchman will know where their strengths and weaknesses lie by the time he has a full pre-season with his star players but to throw in two new arrivals, who are continuing to learn the system and a new way of playing, would be a risky move and not one you see often.
Midfield - Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai
Ryan Gravenberch will miss the Premier League opener after his red card on the final day against Crystal Palace. The midfield department still needs reinforcements so there isn't an overreliance on Mac Allister or Gravenberch, as it became last season but with the Dutchman suspended, the Argentine and Szoboszlai would be good contenders in the midfield.
Forwards - Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo
Going into the season, the Liverpool attacking force will be one of the most feared in the Premier League. The quality is there in abundance and with the impending arrival of Wirtz, it would have that glitzy aspect to it as well after £116million was spent to land the playmaker.
There will be intrigue over where or how Wirtz fits into the system, especially with Szoboszlai impressing in that number 10/attacking midfield position last term. Gakpo thrived under Slot last season but Diaz came into his own at the business end of the season so there may be the opportunity for an interchangeable strikeforce in the upcoming campaign.
Striker - Alexander Isak
There is the possibility of a fire sale at Anfield with Quansah, Morton and Nunez all among the players facing speculation over their future. All the money recouped from them exits could be heavily invested in the attacking line, which became over-reliant on Salah, last term.
If there was ever an opportunity for Liverpool to weaken a Champions League contender by acquiring a Premier League-proven striker, Isak would be that option.
The reports suggest that the notion of signing the Swedish international isn't entirely dead in the water, despite the lofty transfer fee, and it would definitely be a marker of intent.