Most clubs across the Premier League terrain must watch Liverpool's cool-headed transfer operation with envy. Last summer, FSG were ridiculed for failing to back Arne Slot in the market.
Who's laughing now? Not only have Liverpool bagged themselves a Premier League title, dethroning Manchester City and always proving too good for injury-hit Arsenal, but they've done it with a lack of investment they were so mocked for one year ago.
Now, though, Liverpool are employing a defence-by-attack strategy in the transfer market, having signed Jeremie Frimpong to fill the Trent Alexander-Arnold-shaped hole at right-back.
Liverpool-Frimpong-Alexander-Arnold
Milos Kerkez is also being targeted on the left side of defence, and, barring a crushing change of the wind, Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz will be playing at Anfield next season too.
The latest on Florian Wirtz to Liverpool
Though it might feel like negotiations between Leverkusen and Liverpool are becoming protracted, we're talking about a player who will likely break the British transfer record, valued at as much as €150m (£126m), and thus lengthy discussions are to be expected.
The main thing is Liverpool expect to complete the signing of the German playmaker this summer, marking a stunning coup after Manchester City and Bayern Munich were beaten in the race last month, Wirtz stating his preference to move to the red half of Merseyside.
A second official offer worth around £110m has been rejected, but FSG are calm and composed, with all parties looking to get the deal over the line in the coming weeks.
Wirtz will revolutionise Liverpool's attacking midfield, reorienting the creative centre following Alexander-Arnold's departure. Make no mistake, this is a significant statement of intent.
florian-wirtz-bayer-leverkusen-atletico
Wirtz isn't the only prodigious attacking star Liverpool are interested in buying this summer, though, with FSG supposedly joining the race for one of English football's most sought-after teenagers.
Liverpool join race for English prodigy
As per Football Insider, Liverpool have entered the race for Southampton prospect Tyler Dibling, who exploded onto the major stage this season and is now being courted by a wide range of clubs.
west-ham-dibling-southampton
The 19-year-old is expected to leave Saints after their relegation from the Premier League, and Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur are all keen.
Initial Southampton demands of £100m have fallen flat, and it's expected Dibling would be available for something in the ballpark of £55m, so whether Liverpool wish to go forward depends on their stance.
What Tyler Dibling would bring to Liverpool
There's no way Liverpool could have justified paying £100m for Dibling, and some will feel that even that figure is rather steep for a teenager who's only played 43 matches as a professional.
Southampton's Tyler Dibling in action with AFC Bournemouth's Dean Huijsen
Former Southampton boss Russell Martin said in an interview with Gary Lineker that Dibling is "the most talented player" he's ever worked with, and while the 39-year-old will be biased in his assessment, there's little question Dibling is the real deal.
Having started 20 Premier League fixtures this term, Dibling made quite the impression, finishing the campaign ranked among the top 13% of the division's attacking midfielders and wingers for successful take-ons completed per 90, as per FBref, as well as the top 19% for pass completion.
A successful take-on is recorded when a player beats their opponent by directly carrying the ball past them while retaining possession.
Dibling also won 4.2 duels and one tackle per top-flight game, as per Sofascore, which illustrates his tenacious athleticism. Not just a silky, fleet-footed winger, the English talent is a committed and driven individual, willing to put in the hard yards.
Not many players exude such precocity in their teenage years, but Dibling is certainly one of them. Wirtz is another. Germany's playmaking poster boy has been hailed as "the best midfielder in the world" by former Leverkusen striker Patrick Helmes, having overcome adversity in his fledgling years to establish himself as one of the best in the business.
He's still only 22, remember, but Wirtz made his name as a true prodigy several years ago, regarded by talent scout Jacek Kulig to be "one of the most exciting prospects in the world" when he was a teenager.
Wirtz overcame the agony of an ACL injury in his maiden stage and has bounced back to look as good as ever, if not more so. The two-time Bundesliga Player of the Season has bounced back and then some, and he could surely enter Ballon d'Or conversations with a continuation of his journey under Slot's wing at Anfield.
Florian Wirtz - Career Stats by Season (all comps)
Season
24/25
23/24
22/23
21/22
20/21
19/20
Data via Transfermarkt
The Liverpool hothouse is adding some new quality, all right, and Dibling could be the next to join the fold. Like Wirtz, he's distinctly brilliant in his early career stage, standing out above his peers.
Moreover, the doom of relegation this season has given Dibling a setback to learn from as he looks to make his name, further suggesting he offers shades of the Germany sensation, but in a different way, a way in which both variations of the silky profile could play in Liverpool's starting line-up for years to come.
Wirtz-Leverkusen
Hailed by Saints correspondent Alfie House for his "incredible" start to life in the Premier League, Dibling has got the pick of several high-profile suitors, it seems, but it's hard to argue against Liverpool being the perfect place for him to move to, serving as Salah's understudy and following Wirtz in moving to Slot's project.
Mane-Southampton-Premier-League-Liverpool Related
[An amazing Mane repeat: £40m star has now "agreed" to sign for Liverpool](https://www.footballfancast.com/amazing-mane-repeat-kerkez-has-agreed-to-sign-for-liverpool/ "An amazing Mane repeat: £40m star has now "agreed" to sign for Liverpool")
Liverpool are set to bid for another star after signing Jeremie Frimpong, and he could be a Sadio Mane repeat.