Having headed into the summer as Premier League champions, it was decided by sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot that the upcoming transfer window would be characterised by ambition.

Liverpool, as kings of the land for a 20th time, would look to cement their status with the biggest spending spree in their history.

A deal to bring in the jewel of Germany was already in the pipeline in Florian Wirtz, while Alexander Isak, widely regarded as one of the very best centre-forward in the land, was also earmarked.

Plans had long been established to make Milos Kerkez the club's long-term successor to Andy Robertson at left-back and Giorgi Mamardashvili's agreement to join from Valencia, struck the previous year, was viewed as a deal to future-proof their goalkeeping department., post-Alisson Becker.

Jeremie Frimpong was the best solution to the problem created by Trent Alexander-Arnold's decision to defect to Real Madrid and in Giovanni Leoni, the club ended what was a three-summer pursuit of...