Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has an attacking transfer dilemma to solve during the summer transfer window.
Following what was a noticeable decline in the form of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino last season, many people have called for the ranks to be bolstered at Anfield with fresh attacking talent.
However, with the likes of Xherdan Shaqiri, Divock Origi and Harry Wilson still on the Reds’ books, permanent departures may have to be sanctioned before arrivals can come through the door.
Harvey Elliott and Takumi Minamino are also set to return to the squad ahead of the 2021/22 campaign having spent mixed spells out on loan last term.
According to a report from the Liverpool Echo, as cited by Anfield Watch on Twitter, both forwards could find themselves part of Klopp’s thinking.
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NEW: Takumi Minamino remains part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans and #LFC have high hopes for Harvey Elliott next season… https://t.co/rX0Uv9UnKm (@AnfieldWatch)
The report suggests Liverpool won’t force any fringe players to move on this summer, instead, waiting for players to push for a move – in a similar fashion to Neco Williams.
There is also faith that the options will be ‘boosted’ by the prolonged availability of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita following injury-hit campaigns – a factor that has become increasingly difficult to rely upon.
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Elliott’s involvement in first-team matters is widely expected following a superb Championship campaign with Blackburn Rovers, the 18-year-old scoring seven times and assisting 12 others.
Meanwhile, Minamino’s future seemed far more uncertain as the 26-year-old returned to Merseyside having struggled to make an impact at Southampton.
Ultimately, reasonable offers would need to be forthcoming for any of the aforementioned fringe players to leave the club, but it is certainly something the Reds should be open to.
Both Shaqiri and Origi were around the team for the entirety of 2020/21, failing to force their way into regular contention at any point.
That could also be said for Minamino, who was allowed to leave the club having sat on the bench for much of the campaign.
Perhaps the only wholly agreeable point is the excitement at seeing what the mercurial talent that is Elliott can produce at the top level.
Going into the new season with Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Minamino, Firmino, Mane and Elliott is no dire straights scenario, albeit an addition would fill Kopites with far greater optimism.
