Cheick Doucoure, Romeo Lavia and the defensive midfielders Liverpool could sign to replace Fabinho and Jordan Henderson

Two of Jurgen Klopp’s most trusted lieutenants are on the way to Saudi Arabia, meaning reinforcement is required – and fast

We knew that Liverpool would sign some midfielders this summer. The engine room effectively broke down last season and the Reds unravelled as a result, failing to finish in the Premier League’s top four. As such, reinforcements were essential, even just from a numbers perspective, with the likes of James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all heading for the exit door.

It came as no surprise, then, to see Liverpool move quickly in the transfer market, adding some much-needed dynamism and creativity to the midfield by activating buy-out clauses to bring in both Alexis Mac Allister, from Brighton, and RB Leipzig’s Dominik Szoboszlai.What we didn’t expect, though, was a complete clear-out, an absolute overhaul of the entire department – and yet that’s exactly what we’re looking at right now, with Liverpool having made the surprising decision to cash in on both first-choice No.6 Fabinho and captain Jordan Henderson, who often stood in for the Brazilian in front of the back four.

As a result, at least one more signing is required, a defensive midfielder of considerable skill and stature to tie the whole midfield together. Such talents are few and far between, and most certainly don’t come cheap. So, who could Liverpool sign?

GOAL runs through the leading candidates to fill the Fabinho-shaped hole in Klopp’s starting line-up…