Fabinho and Henderson out, Lavia and Phillips in? Klopp scrambles to rebuild Liverpool midfield

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Jürgen Klopp's  Liverpool side have been dogged by midfield problems for a number of seasons now. Whether it be injuries, suspensions or simply underperforming stars, the Anfield club have been in desperate need of new box-to-box stars for some time now. And while fans had high hopes of this summer's transfer window providing solutions to those problems, recent activities in the market seem to suggest that further anguish could be in store for the  Premier League giants. 

Indeed, while Klopp has already made two midfield additions to his squad ahead of the new season, numerous reports and confirmed transfers are now suggesting that the club could be set to lose no less than three senior and undoubtedly important linchpins to the Anfield squad. And, most worrying of all for Liverpool fans, there doesn't seem to be a clear sign that the club knows exactly how to replace them before the window draws to a close.  

Which midfielders are likely to leave Liverpool this summer?

Perhaps the most urgent transfer to concern fans of the club is the departure of Jordan Henderson. On Thursday the Anfield club confirmed that the England itnernational had completed a €14 million move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq after agreeing a three-year deal with the side. As Fabrizio Romano first reported, the 33-year-old midfielder is expected to earn no less than €820k per week from his new contract. 

However, Henderson is unlikely to be the only star to depart Liverpool this summer. Fellow holding midfielder Fabinho has also left Anfield for the gulf state, as Al Ittihad confirmed the signing on Monday evening after agreeing a deal of around €47 million for the 29-year-old talent. Which is an offer that Liverpool obviously deemed too good to turn down. Now that Fabinho has departed the club, he could be joined by compatriot Thiago Alcantara, who has been heavily linked with a return to Barcelona. According to Spanish newspaper Sport, the Anfield side are keen to move on the player ahead of his contract expiring next summer and would be willing to listen to offers.  

What midfielders could Liverpool sign to replace their departing stars?

Prior to any of the aforementioned departures, it's worth mentioning that Liverpool had already brought in two midfielders in the form of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for a combined €112m. However, while both players should bring a lot to Klopp's side, they're unlikely to be enough to cover for the players that now seem certain to leave. 

As such, Liverpool are now on the hunt for new midfield recruits and perhaps the most obvious transfer target seems to be Romeo Lavia from Southampton. According to Fabrizio Romano, the midfielder has been on Liverpool's list for quite some time an the Anfield club have now submitted a new bid of around €49m for the young player. However, the Saints are apparently holding out for at least €58m and won't agree to anything less. 

Elsewhere, the Athletic have compiled a list of potential signings for the Anfield side which includes the aformentioned Lavia as well as Benfica midfielder Florentino Luis, Fiorentina star Sofyan Amrabat, Manchester City's Kalvin Phillips, Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich, Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure and Aston Villa prospect Boubacar Kamara. However, it remains to be seen whether Liverpool plan on bidding on any of these players this summer. Which suggests that Klopp & Co. have some work on their hands to find replacements for the players that seem certain to leave in the coming weeks.