Richard Hughes is already pressing on with improving the options available to Arne Slot at Liverpool next season.
Liverpool have agreed terms with Milos Kerkez and all now looks set for the defender to make the step up from Bournemouth this summer.
Despite Liverpool’s success in Slot’s first season, left-back prevailed as an obvious area for improvement moving forward.
Andrew Robertson didn’t have a poor season by any means but he wasn’t always able to match the levels of those excelling around him.
And in terms of other areas earmarked for an upgrade, Liverpool are also in the market to sign a new number nine, a Darwin Nunez replacement if you will.
Eddie Howe can’t guarantee that Alexander Isak will stay at Newcastle
That being said, Liverpool want to sign Alexander Isak from Newcastle United this summer first and foremost, the club’s number one target in that respect.
Liverpool have Isak alternatives but it’s the Newcastle striker who is wanted most at Anfield.
In fact, Liverpool are ahead of Arsenal in the race for Isak this summer, but that still doesn’t mean that either side will have the chance to sign the Swede.
And to that point, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was actually asked about Isak’s future in his press conference after defeat to Arsenal on Sunday.
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Isak missed the game owing to a minor injury and that was sorely felt from Newcastle’s perspective, who failed to take any of their early chances.
Speaking after the game, Howe was asked if he could guarantee that Isak would remain at St James’ Park, something he refused to do.
Howe said: “I never make those guarantees about any player, it’s not to do with Alex’s future but I’d be foolish to sit here and do anything like that.
“We want to keep our strongest players, I’ve said that ever since I’ve been sat in this seat.
“We have to try and keep our best players and bring in more good players to make us even stronger because of the ambition of the club and everyone connected with the club’s long-term success, and that’s the only way to try and get that.”
Liverpool should go all out for Alexander Isak
Of course, it’s a very understandable response and a measured one — nothing is guaranteed in football.
But Howe’s words might encourage one or two at Liverpool, or perhaps even Arsenal.
It’s widely thought that Isak will stay at Newcastle if they achieve Champions League football, which they are well on course to do.
However, until the transfer window shuts in August, Liverpool might retain hope.
Isak could cost more than £120m in the summer should he ever leave Newcastle, but that would still be a worthwhile deal for Liverpool.
Perhaps the likes of Nunez might need to be sold to execute a deal of that magnitude, but it’s certainly not impossible.
