Liverpool need to sustain a run of good form in the Premier League if they are to avoid a dogfight for a top-four/five finish, sealing their place in next year's Champions League.
The ramifications of missing out (for a second time in four years) could be severe after last summer's £450m spending spree.
Arne Slot's side took a risk when opting against a January signing to strengthen their attack or shore up their backline, though FSG would suggest that Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have enough about them to get the job done over the business months of the season, with Jeremy Jacquet joining from Rennes this summer.
Liverpool completed a move for the French prospect, 20, on deadline day, purchasing him for £60m. However, this exciting up-and-comer will remain in France for now, and the Reds will have to make do with only a few central defensive options.
With Giovanni Leoni recovering from an ACL injury, Liverpool can turn their attention to other areas of the field come summer.
Liverpool's summer transfer priority
Though uncertainty reigns over Mohamed Salah, who will undoubtedly be linked with a transfer to the Saudi Pro League ahead of the summer transfer window, FSG would only sanction the long-standing Liverpool forward's departure if a suitable replacement is found.
Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah
However, midfield could be just as pressing an issue, especially with the likes of Alexis Mac Allister and Curtis Jones both being linked with moves away from Merseyside.
The perfect solution? Adam Wharton from Crystal Palace. According to Spanish sources, Eagles chairman Steve Parish has set his asking price at €95m (equating to £82m) for the 21-year-old, who is one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.
Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton reacts after the match
Liverpool's interest is solid, but they are against Manchester United and Real Madrid in the race for the England international, with all three suitors revealed to have opened initial talks with Palace.
Why Wharton would be Liverpool's perfect signing
Slot has been criticised this season for failing to get a tune out of his Liverpool players, lacking a discernible style of play. But that's not true, Slot favours possession-based football, albeit with this strategy failing to translate to creativity.
Premier League 25/26 - Highest Av. Possession
Club
Liverpool
Man City
Arsenal
Chelsea
Aston Villa
Data via FBref
While Jacquet will provide depth and strength to Liverpool's backline, Wharton would be the linchpin to make the wider system tick.
A "passing machine", according to journalist Henry Winter, the one-time Blackburn prospect ranks among the top 6% of Premier League midfielders for big chances created and the top 13% for long balls this season, emphasising a range of distribution that has been lacking in Liverpool's midfield.
Adam Wharton
He has even been called a "cheat code" for boasting such a natural aptitude for incisive passing, instrumental in setting up Oliver Glasner's fluid, aggressive pressing system.
And he knows how to defend too, winning 4.8 duels and making 2.4 tackles on average this term.
Restocking defensive options has clearly been the most pressing concern at Anfield for some time now, and with Konate seemingly headed for the exit, Jacquet marks a neat like-for-like replacement.
However, the young Frenchman has only completed 31 senior appearances for Rennes, even if he's been a mainstay in Ligue 1 this term. Moreover, he's made as many direct errors as his Liverpool-based countryman, suggesting he's not the finished article.
League Form 25/26 - Jacquet vs Konate
Stats (* per 90)
Matches (starts)
Goals + Assists
Clean sheets
Touches*
Accurate passes*
Chances created*
Ball recoveries*
Tackles + interceptions*
Clearances*
Ground duels won*
Aerial duels won*
Errors made
Data via Sofascore
Wharton, of course, has plenty of Premier League experience under his belt, and would nail down a starting berth from the off in this Liverpool side. Jacquet, however, might struggle to replace Konate, who is a monstrous defender on his day.
Make no mistake, we're not arguing against Liverpool's move for Jacquet, who has been hailed by analyst Ben Mattinson as having "top-five centre-back in the world potential".
England's Adam Wharton reacts
But Wharton also has the skill to become one of the world's best, and given that he's already won titles and starred in the Premier League, it's clear that he could become a mainstay from the get-go under Slot's management.
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