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But Wirtz could offer a sprinkling of star dust if Slot elects to play him as part of the central unit.

That would surely become more likely in the event that Isak arrives as well.

But with Mohamed Salah going nowhere, and Liverpool adamant that Luis Diaz is not for sale, those roles look reasonably set.

Without any formation changes, then, Liverpool's line-up with Isak might look something like this:

Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Wirtz; Salah, Isak, Diaz.

That looks formiddable, but it would be very tough dropping Szoboszlai (or any of the midifield three) to the bench.

Salah could come in more narrow behind the striker, as he has done at points before in his Liverpool career, and Wirtz could play in the equivalent role off the left

That would create a truly elite front three, albeit of a different kind to the one Liverpool is used to: Wirtz and Salah behind Isak, with the width coming more from bombing full-backs like Frimpong and Kerkez

The existing midfield unit could then remain intact.

That would look like this: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz; Isak.

Football games aren't won on paper, but it almost feels like game over if Liverpool enters the new season with that lineup