Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reportedly has a transfer shortlist which contains nine midfielders as he looks to replace the outgoing Jordan Henderson.
Henderson is closing in on a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Ettifaq, who are managed by Steven Gerrard.
The 33-year-old could be joined at the Liverpool exit door by Fabinho, with the Brazilian midfielder in talks over a move to Al Ittihad.
Advert
With James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all having departed Anfield on free transfers this summer, Klopp has had to act to bolster his midfield department.
Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai have both been signed for a combined fee of £90 million, but if Fabinho and Henderson both leave, it is clear that the Reds will need fresh reinforcements.
His nine-player shortlist, as per The Sun (via Football365), features players with a range of different midfield qualities - and we've ranked each midfielder based on the likelihood of them moving to Anfield this summer.
Advert
Romeo Lavia (Southampton)
At 19 years of age, Romeo Lavia has already established himself as one of the top young midfielders in the country after a successful maiden Premier League season with Southampton.
Although the Saints dropped down to the Championship, the Belgian midfielder had a strong campaign - reflected by the club's £50 million valuation.
That is on the high side for Liverpool, but he is capable of playing the defensive midfield role that could be left vacant by Fabinho.
And with the Saints in the second tier, they will not be able to put up much resistance if Liverpool come close to their valuation.
Advert
Probability of transfer - 8/10
Khephren Thuram (Nice)
Liverpool were heavily linked with Khephren Thuram at the beginning of the transfer window, but the pursuit stalled when the Reds switched attention to Dominik Szoboszlai.
But he has remained on the club's shortlist, and the Liverpool Echo claimed last week that Klopp's side were prepared to pay the €30 million asking price to sign him.
Advert
With that in mind, there seems to be a good chance this deal could get done - if Liverpool become serious bidders.
Probability of transfer - 7/10
Joao Palhinha (Fulham)
It hasn't been a great week for Fulham, with star striker Aleksandar Mitrovic and manager Marco Silva both courting interest from the Saudi Pro League.
Advert
Mitrovic has reportedly told relatives that he will never play for Fulham again.
That is not the case for midfielder Joao Palhinha, one of the signings of the season last term, but he has attracted heavy interest from West Ham, Manchester United and now Liverpool.
The sticking point is the price, with Fulham demanding £60 million as per Football Insider.
But the midfielder is another ready-made replacement for Fabinho, and it is for that reason that Liverpool could swoop.
Probability of transfer - 6/10
Ryan Gravenberch (Bayern Munich)
Ryan Gravenberch is another midfielder who has been linked with Liverpool throughout the window. He is represented by the same agency as Thuram.
The Dutch midfielder has stated that he expects to remain with the German champions next season.
But Sky Sports reporter Melissa Reddy writes that the Reds have held talks with the player's representatives - and he is still very much an option.
Probability of transfer - 6/10
Kalvin Phillips (Manchester City)
Kalvin Phillips barely played for Manchester City this season due to a mixture of injury, form and the incredible performances from Rodri.
But he proved his Premier League quality with Leeds, earning a big-money move to the Etihad Stadium last summer.
A regular England international, the signing of Phillips would add another homegrown player to Liverpool's ranks - but whether City manager Pep Guardiola would be willing to sell to a Premier League rival is the key question.
Probability of transfer - 6/10
Cheick Doucoure (Crystal Palace)
The relatively left-field option of Cheick Doucoure shot to prominence earlier this week, with The Athletic reporting Liverpool's interest.
But the Daily Mail then claimed that Palace would demand a minimum fee of £70 million for the 23-year-old - which may be out of Liverpool's price range.
Probability of transfer - 5/10
Sofyan Amrabat (Fiorentina)
Around January, you couldn't go a day without Sofyan Amrabat being linked to the Reds after his impressive World Cup displays with Morocco.
Manchester United have been heavily linked with the midfielder, and reports in Italy claimed that Fiorentina turned down an offer of below £25 million for his services.
Liverpool could yet re-enter the race, however, and convince Amrabat to move to Anfield instead. But it may be a tricky task.
Probability of transfer - 5/10
Moises Caicedo (Brighton)
Moises Caicedo has been linked with every top Premier League club except Manchester City this summer, so it is no surprise that Liverpool are keen on signing him.
But reports claim Brighton value the midfielder at over £100 million - a fee that the Reds almost certainly will not pay this summer.
Probability of transfer - 3/10
Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
Liverpool missed out on Aurelien Tchouameni last summer, with the Frenchman rejecting Klopp's side in favour of a move to Real Madrid.
But he fell out of favour at Real in the second half of last season, dropping behind Eduardo Camavinga in the pecking order.
That led to rumours he could leave the Bernabeu after one season - but AS claim that he does not want to depart Real, nor do the Spanish giants have any intention of selling him.
Probability of transfer - 3/10
Featured Image Credit: GettyTopics: Liverpool, Football, Premier League, Jurgen Klopp, Transfers