Klopp’s perfect player costs £50 million as Liverpool also sign Aston Villa

Two new names – both from the Premier League – are being courted by Liverpool, who may need two new arrivals if Fabinho and Jordan Henderson leave.

The Reds responded quickly by joining their ranks in the opening weeks of the window, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. However, Klopp’s midfield is decimated purely numerically.

Indeed, Leighton Clarkson (Aberdeen), Arthur Melo (loan expired), Naby Keita (Werder Bremen), James Milner (Brighton) and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (untied) have all left the club.

Interim midfielder Fabio Carvalho has joined RB Leipzig on loan and Fabinho and club captain Henderson could also join the exodus soon. Henderson has signed a three-year deal worth around £700,000 a week with Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq. The Reds are using Chelsea’s £20m sale of Kalidou Koulibaly to Al Hilal as a yardstick in their negotiations with Al Ettifaq.

Meanwhile, Fabinho is wanted at Al Ittihad and the Brazilian’s proposed £40m extra is closer to completion than Henderson’s. As a result, Fabinho was left out of Liverpool’s pre-season tour of Germany.

Liverpool would be without a permanent midfielder if Fabinho leaves. Stefan Bajcetic is on the list but has just 11 EPL appearances to his name.

The Reds were still signing a defensive midfielder, although Henderson and Fabinho remained. If the two leave, a second defensive midfielder, bringing the number of newcomers to the engine room to four, could soon become a necessity rather than a luxury.

Midfielders of all stripes are said to be on Liverpool’s radar. As well as younger options like Romeo Lavia and Ryan Gravenberch, the Liverpool Echo claimed they are also watching veteran targets like Joao Palhinha who would have an immediate impact. Doucour, Kamara the perfect age; both have Prem experience

Doucoure, 23, was named Crystal Palace Player of the Season on his first try last year. The Mali international arrived from Lens for £26million and dominated the midfield at Selhurst Park.

Instead of their stellar first season in England, Athletic State Palace would demand around £50million before parting ways. It’s the same price Liverpool are asking Southampton for Romeo, and Lavia and Palace have taken notice.

Elsewhere, Aston Villa’s Kamara is a brand new name on Liverpool’s radar. Like Doucoure, Kamara joined England after impressing in Ligue 1, this time with Marseille.

Kamara was the ultimate bargain when she joined Villa as a free agent. Knee and ankle injuries have only allowed the 23-year-old to make 24 league appearances, although the top-flight France international has certainly left his mark in good form.

Athletic don’t say how much Kamara might cost. Additionally, Villa – which is on an uptrend under Unai Emery – would no doubt be strongly opposed to selling.

Therefore, a high fee is certainly due for a player who could bring Villa a mammoth win if he cashes in.