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Liverpool has done more work in the transfer window than anyone outside of the club would have dared to imagine heading into the summer. And yet, there is still plenty to be getting on with as the days continue to tick by.
Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez all look capable of making the starting XI on a regular basis. Giorgi Mamardashvili, meanwhile, could be a long-term Alisson Becker successor. As it stands, however, Liverpool is treading a fine line between having added quality and having enough numbers.
As Arne Slot has been keen to stress, for all that Liverpool has splashed out around $400M in new signings, more than half of that has come back in through sales. Liverpool has replaced the bodies it has lost in most areas, but there are still gaps.
Now, midfielder Harvey Elliott is thought to be RB Leipzig's main target to replace Xavi Simons this summer if he joins Chelsea. And according to Sky Germany, Elliott has already agreed personal terms with the Bundesliga outfit.
Simons is expected to move to the Premier League after Leipzig's opening day clash with Bayern Munich on Friday. That money could then be reinvested in Elliott, though a fee would still need to be agreed with Liverpool.
As things stand, though, Elliott is someone that the Reds cannot really afford to lose. Having already sold Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, Liverpool is already looking light in attacking areas.
Frimpong is expected to operate in the forward line at times but he will also be needed at right-back. And though Federico Chiesa scored a late goal against Bournemouth on the opening day, there is still more evidence required that he can play regularly.
Excluding those two — and Rio Ngumoha, who is still yet to turn 17 — Liverpool currently only has Ekitike, Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo as senior attackers. Net, it is down two players on last season.
There is a legitimate argument that Wirtz should classify as a forward, but counting the number 10 means it is five senior players (including Chiesa) into four positions, rather than three into four. And that is where Elliott comes in.
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As things stand, Elliott could be a useful player to fill in here and there. He can operate as a number 10 and from the right in a 4-2-3-1 system.
Even if Slot hasn't chosen to use him often previously, losing Elliott would mean taking a big gamble in terms of forwards as things stand. And in truth, there is an argument that would remain the case even if Alexander Isak arrives, which is very much still in the balance.
Liverpool needs to be able to fight on all fronts this season, and while injuries were drastically reduced in Slot's debut campaign, that might not be the same again. Competition for places also drives standards.
For all that adding quality in the team will help create improvement, the good work will be undone if Liverpool loses too many numbers. There is a tricky balance to be struck as the September 1 deadline nears, but selling Elliott might have to wait.
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