Liverpool have had difficulty selling players during the transfer window - and that has impacted Andoni Iraola's squad plans
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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The worry beads are being agitated even more regularly among Liverpool supporters eager for further reinforcement of an undercooked forward line.
But as the clock ticks down on transfer deadline day, the speculation over new signings has allowed focus to be shifted away from a factor that is undoubtedly compromising potential deals this summer.
As with several comments during his final few months in the Anfield hotseat, the statement from Arne Slot that Liverpool would have to sell to buy when discussing the transfer market was taken somewhat out of context.
The Reds have had cash to spend this year, as has been demonstrated with almost £100million being splashed out on Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz and a willingness to spend almost the same again on Yan Diomande until the Ivorian eventually chose to move to Real Madrid.
Ongoing discussions with Paris Saint-Germain over £100m-plus rated Bradley Barcola indicate there remains plenty in the coffers, regardless of whether that is backed up with interest in another PSG winger, Ibrahim Mbaye, being made concrete.
But the point Slot was clumsily making is that Liverpool are a trading club. They have transfer funds, but they are usually bolstered significantly by the sale of players, such as last year when almost half of the record £450m outlay was recouped. Arsenal, don't forget, had the biggest net spend of that window.
It's curious, then, that Liverpool have thus far this summer brought in just £700,000 from the sale of Luca Stephenson - their lowest such income with just two weeks of the window remaining since way back in 2003.
True, the not inconsiderable wages of Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate are now off the books, and it's sometimes convenient to overlook the fact the overall cost of a player goes beyond a transfer fee.
Nevertheless, the lack of money brought in by sales is undoubtedly having an impact on the ability to strengthen Andoni Iraola's squad.
Academy graduates - some with far greater first-team experience at Liverpool than others - have been a steady stream of income in recent times. Last year saw Tyler Morton, Jarell Quansah, Caoimhin Kelleher, Nat Phillips and Ben Doak potentially bring in almost £100m between them.
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The previous year, it was up to £35m combined for Sepp van den Berg and Bobby Clark, while during Jurgen Klopp's reign Neco Williams, Harry Wilson, Rhian Brewster, Ki-Jana Hoever and Jordon Ibe all brought in eight-figure fees. There were many more in the millions. The profit, even on those who cost a small fee to initially be purchased, was vast.
Academy talent, though, is cyclical and Liverpool at present don't quite have the same level of saleable young assets. Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni would clearly be classed among them but are both regarded important first-team squad members, while a decision will be taken on whether to keep Lewis Koumas around for the first half of the season.
Stefan Bajcetic is interesting Getafe, but youngsters who could go are not expected to bolster the Anfield coffers too much over the next fortnight. Which means raising significant funds from outgoings will be concentrated on fringe senior squad players, with Curtis Jones, in the last 12 months of his contract, the most likely as Inter consider another bid for a player Liverpool continue to value in excess of £30m.
Harvey Elliott, another out of contract next summer, and Federico Chiesa would seem the next in line, although serious interest from elsewhere has not yet been forthcoming. Cody Gakpo, meanwhile, continues to be courted by Tottenham Hotspur from afar.
With Liverpool needing numbers in certain areas of the squad, it would be baffling for them to advocate any senior sales without at the very least a replacement having been lined up.
But for a club that, under Fenway Sports Group, has long held great stock in an ability to sell players, that exits have thus far brought in so few funds with the transfer deadline now in sight is a reflection of what is proving a testing window.