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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.

(Image: Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

It's been a weird - yet wonderful - transfer window for Liverpool this summer, with big-money deals wrapped up early, while other sagas continue to rumble on.

Despite having spent significantly on the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike to bolster Arne Slot's attacking options, there's still some work to be done at Anfield, as they prepare to defend their Premier League title.

Some areas remain in desperate need of strengthening if the Reds are to compete on all four fronts next season.

Some of the business has, and will, be dictated by outgoings - Luis Diaz has just swapped Merseyside for Bavaria, completing a move to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich.

Although it was widely reported that Liverpool's preference was to keep the Colombian, who still had two years remaining on his contract, the size of the offer and the player's desire for a new challenge understandably left the club's hierarchy with an important decision to make.

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Diaz's departure has been softened by the arrival of Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, although the Frenchman does typically operate in a more central role - and with Darwin Nunez also attracting interest from Serie A and the Saudi Pro League, Liverpool could find themselves short on numbers up top should further sales be sanctioned.

It makes a move for another striker, or at least a versatile attacker, imperative before the September 1 deadline.

Liverpool's interest in Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak is no secret and he remains the primary target, but there's no escaping the fact that it's a complicated deal to complete.

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With just under a month to go, there’s still time for a move for Isak to materialise.

That said, Liverpool cannot afford to leave themselves short if Newcastle stand firm on their 'not for sale' stance and block any potential exit this window.

Newcastle sourcing a replacement for Isak is far from guaranteed, as shown by the Benjamin Sesko saga.

Despite the Magpies reportedly tabling an improved bid to RB Leipzig on Monday evening for the Slovenia international, Manchester United have now stepped up with a formal offer of their own, as per The Athletic.

Away from the forward line, Liverpool also find themselves alarmingly light in defence.

Ibrahima Konate was the only senior centre-back to feature in the Reds' double-header against Athletic Club on Monday, with others, such as youngster Trey Nyoni, playing out of position to plug the gaps.

This was due to Virgil van Dijk being absent with an illness, while Joe Gomez remains side-lined with the Achilles injury that forced him home early from the pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Japan.

Jarell Quansah, who completed a move to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the summer, is yet to be replaced.

Which means that signing a centre-back is no longer a luxury for Liverpool, it's an absolute necessity.

The defensive injury crisis in 2020/2021 that derailed Liverpool's title defence will no doubt be fresh in everyone's minds, and they cannot afford a repeat.

Going into the campaign with only two reliable senior centre-backs is a major risk, not least because it severely limits rotation options, and the increased load on both Van Dijk and Konate heightens the chance of injuries.

Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi appears to be the obvious solution, and he has already been heavily linked with a move to Anfield this summer.

The England international arguably represents the strongest available option on the market and can be trusted to step straight into the starting line-up.

That's unlike a younger alternative still in need of development.

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Exactly how the rest of the summer plays out remains to be seen, but it would be a major shock if Liverpool were to end the transfer window without addressing these two key areas.

The problem now, though, is that time is ticking away with just 27 days to go.

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