The Reds experienced were engaged in a transfer war with Newcastle over the summer.
In the end, Liverpool managed to get the signing of Alexander Isak over the line, although it was left until deadline day. The Swede's ambition to leave Tyneside by any means necessary – essentially going on strike, missing training – hasn't exactly given him the greatest of starts under Arne Slot.
Nonetheless, we're now in a situation whereby Richard Hughes – the Reds' sporting director – has one up on Newcastle and that dominance in the transfer market could be compounded once again.
Isak's former club have an eye on a new midfield target, according to the latest reports, although he's also on Liverpool's radar. Might we look to double-down in January or go in next summer?
Newcastle plan to pounce on Smit
In a report in the Telegraph from Luke Edwards – one of the journalists who was most apoplectic in the summer that Isak was not going to Liverpool – a plan to move Joe Willock onto Crystal Palace and secure highly-rated talent Kees Smit has been divulged.
LFC x adidas
LFC x adidas
Shop the goalkeeper range today
LFC x adidas Third Kit
Shop the third kit range today!
It's understood that the AZ Alkmaar midfielder is 'keen on the move' to Tyneside, despite the abundance of European clubs vying for his signature. The transfer would be considered for the January transfer window, and 'regular first-team minutes' would need to be guaranteed.
Liverpool have been linked with the Dutchman by alternative news outlets and the lack of movement on a new contract for Curtis Jones or Alexis Mac Allister currently signifies that a move for Smit is plausible, although whether Hughes would look at him in January or later down the line is uncertain.
The 19-year-old is contracted until 2029, although a tempting offer is likely to enough to move him on, and given the outgoings that Liverpool sanctioned earlier this year, it's plausible that no one would need to be moved on in order to facilitate Smit, unlike Newcastle's situation with Willock.
But given the vast interest in the teenage sensation, it still going to be a difficult transfer to agree.
Smit's ability to play in all three different midfield roles makes him a rare asset in world football, and Liverpool desperately need more energy in their engine room. Although the major problem currently appears to be in a defensive sense, so a partnership with Ryan Gravenberch might be in the offing.
If Newcastle can't sell Willock but look at Smit anyway, a move for Sandro Tonali could prove tempting, given how impressive he's been over the years, and given his contract is up in 2028.
For now, however, everything's up in the air. A new centre-back is likely to be prioritised by Hughes over anything else, but it's officially plausible that Liverpool and Newcastle could lock heads again.
