Liverpool have reportedly identified six possible alternatives after missing out on both Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo.
The midfield pair have snubbed Liverpool in favour of moving to Chelsea in the last week, despite having bids accepted for both.
Liverpool had been chasing Lavia for much of the summer, having three bids rejected, before lodging an audacious £111m bid for Caicedo, which was accepted by Brighton & Hove Albion.
However, Caicedo remained firm on his stance that Chelsea was his preferred destination and his move to Stamford Bridge was confirmed on Monday.
After missing out on the Ecuadorian, Liverpool went back in for Lavia, and had a £60m bid accepted by Southampton, but history repeated itself as Lavia also opted for Chelsea, with official confirmation still pending.
Therefore, with a number six still high on the agenda despite recently agreeing terms with Wataru Endo from Stuttgart, the Daily Mail claims that Liverpool are keeping tabs on six players who are still viable options to bring in before the deadline.
Two of the more prominent names who have featured are Fulham’s Joao Palhinha and Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace.
An instant issue with Palhinha is the £60m price tag for a 28-year-old, as well as the fact that the Portuguese international is currently out injured.
Palhinha played just 45 minutes in pre-season, and missed their opening day win at Everton with a shoulder issue.
The midfielder had a fine season though helping Fulham to a top-half finish as a regular starter in his debut campaign in England.
Doucoure enjoyed similar success with Palace, being named as their Player of the Season also in his debut year in the Premier League.
It is believed Palace have placed a £70m valuation on the Mali international, but he is significantly younger than Palhinha at 23, and is up to full speed on his season preparation, playing 90 minutes in their win over Sheffield United.
After being linked with moves for Sofyan Amrabat and Kalvin Phillips, but soon discarding the pair while they chased other prospects, Liverpool could take the two under consideration again.
Amrabat is still under serious consideration of Manchester United though, with the Red Devils still the favourites to land the Moroccan international from Fiorentina.
Nice’s Khephren Thuram is another name who popped up earlier in the window, but that story cooled as Liverpool’s interest in Lavia intensified.
However, with their current predicament, his name may re-enter the fold, as well as Fluminense midfielder Andre.
With Brazilian clubs in the middle of their season both domestically and on the continent though, there could be difficulty in getting deals done until their campaign ends later on in the year.
Jurgen Klopp was forced to play Alexis Mac Allister on his own in a deep-lying role in their Premier League opener against Chelsea on Sunday, so while Endo may plug the gap for now, another name may still come in after the departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinh
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