The streets were finally quiet, and the red remnants of a city in celebration were strewn across Liverpool.
This was 51 weeks ago, and it was Monday morning, before dawn. Liverpool had just dispatched Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 to seal the Premier League title, and Mohamed Salah's celebratory selfie was the enduring image of an incredible campaign, a snapshot into an unexpected triumph set against the backdrop of Jurgen Klopp's mic drop.
A lot has changed since then, with the Merseysiders forced into a fight for Champions League, not the title, after a startling drop-off in Arne Slot's second season. Salah will leave this summer after a season of struggle, and Liverpool will not add to their trophy cabinet.
Salah-Liverpool
However, a new talisman has been born in the shape of Dominik Szoboszlai, and with the Egyptian King and Andy Robertson leaving, and with Virgil van Dijk approaching the autumn of his Anfield career, some new figureheads wouldn't go amiss this summer.
Liverpool exploring move for Premier League star
Liverpool celebrated a well-deserved Premier League title last summer, but they have a lot of work to do if they want to chase and catch that feeling again.
This is going to be another summer of significant change, and while adding to the attack feels like the most important thing for FSG to solve, the midfield has left an awful lot to be desired this season.
Szoboszlai has been exceptional, and he looks like he can lead this team forward over the coming years. But Alexis Mac Allister's days in the division may be numbered, especially as Liverpool ramp up their efforts for a highly-rated rival.
According to TEAMtalk, Liverpool are 'actively exploring' and 'seriously considering' a summer bid for Tottenham Hotspur's Archie Gray, who has been among the brightest lights in a dim Spurs season.
Archie-Gray-Spurs
If Tottenham are relegated to the Championship, Liverpool's interest will only intensify. Tottenham value the 20-year-old at £60m, but such demands may fall flat if they are no longer top-level competitors.
They do reportedly retain hope that they will keep onto their starboy this summer, whatever happens before then, but if Liverpool are serious, this could be the start of something special at Anfield.
Why Archie Gray could be Liverpool's new Szoboszlai
As far as auditions go at the start of exciting Premier League careers, Gray has proven his quality and his potential to become a superstar. He has also been thrown in the deep end and kept there, still impressing and holding his own.
Gray is a centre-midfielder with strong technical skills and a combativeness that won Ange Postecoglou over from the off. Less than two years ago, Tottenham signed him from Leeds United for £30m, and he has already made 51 Premier League appearances.
Described as "a young Declan Rice" by The Athletic's Duncan Alexander, Gray might actually be comparable to Liverpool's Szoboszlai, a natural leader who plays with a maturity beyond his years.
Moreover, he has played across the park in a Tottenham shirt, an obligation Szoboszlai has enrolled to under Slot's wing this season. It's hardly ideal, but it does emphasise Szoboszlai's quality and impact.
Archie Gray's Tottenham Career by Position
Position
Centre-back
Defensive midfield
Central midfield
Right-back
Left-back
Right midfield
Liverpool have been bad this season, to put it plain and simple. But Szoboszlai has been good, hailed by content creator George Scaife as "the best player in the team by a country mile".
Gray might struggle to overtake the Hungarian captain from the first, but he has demonstrated at Tottenham an ability to weather a storm and emerge the better for it. If Spurs do avoid relegation, Gray will have played his part, for sure.
It's unlikely that Liverpool would enforce such an expensive signing without a departure or two. Mac Allister is mooted for an exit, and the Reds could still bank a pretty penny for their struggling star.
The long-term Achilles injury to Hugo Ekitike and Salah's looming departure complicate matters, but this isn't a venture Liverpool can turn down.
Gray-Spurs-Atleti
Liverpool need to revamp their midfield, and Gray could be the perfect player to spearhead the central rebuild, with his natural leadership and positional dynamism suggesting that FSG could sign the new Szoboszlai.
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