Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp were forced to alter their summer transfer plans after Fabinho’s unexpected exit.

After captain Jordan Henderson took up the offer to sign for Steven Gerrard’s Al Ettifaq, Fabinho then joined his Reds midfield partner in the Saudi Pro League after agreeing to move to Al Ittihad for £40m.

Given Henderson’s transfer also brought in £12m, Liverpool’s transfer kitty has been boosted significantly. However, the Reds have so far been having trouble spending it.

They agreed a £111m British transfer record fee with Brighton & Hove Albion for Moises Caicedo. However, he decided to move to Chelsea, who are now also seemingly set to follow their £115m capture of Caicedo with a £55m deal for Southampton’s Romeo Lavia, who was also a key target for the Liverpool.

It means, going into the second game of the Premier League season, Klopp remains without a replacement for Fabinho, whose arrival, along with a number of key additions to the German’s ranks across 2018 and 2019, was a catalyst in transitioning Liverpool from challengers to serial title winners.

Ready-made is what the Reds need as of now. And this is why there is no option more interesting than the Fulham pivot Joao Palhinha

Romeo Lavia transfer latest after Liverpool had bid accepted by Southampton

Southampton director of football Jason Wilcox has confirmed that his club did accept a bid from Liverpool for midfielder Romeo Lavia.

The Reds look set to lose out to the Chelsea in the race for the 19-year-old Belgium international. Anfield chiefs originally put forward three bids to Southampton that were all below their £50m evaluation and all of which were rejected with haste.

Liverpool then produced a shock U-turn by approaching Brighton & Hove Albion for Moises Caicedo, who was a long-term target of Chelsea’s. The Reds had a British transfer record £111m offer accepted by the Seagulls. However, Caicedo made it clear he wanted to move to Chelsea, who then agreed to pay £115m for his services.

Chelsea have now also taken control of negotiations for Lavia, who seems destined to move to Stamford Bridge, too, with reports last night suggesting a £58m deal has been agreed.. But Wilcox has admitted that the Saints, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, did accept a bid from Liverpool.