Liverpool have reportedly ended their interest in signing Crystal Palace midfielder Cheick Doucoure.
While Jurgen Klopp had plans to be proactive in the transfer window earlier in the summer, he has arguably had to be more reactive to surprise exits.
Fabinho and Jordan Henderson departed Anfield for Saudi Arabia, leaving him five midfielders light in comparison to last season, and with replacements needing to be found.
Alexis Mac Allister was signed early before Wataru Endo was brought in from Eintracht Frankfurt on the back of Fabinho and Henderson moving to the Middle East.
Nevertheless, Klopp is still in the market for at least one more addition for the engine room, and it remains unclear whether any more combative players will arrive.
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If reports are to be believed, Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch - a more attack-minded option - is in talks to make the switch to Liverpool over the next 36 hours.
However, Klopp may still be contemplating whether to sign another tough-tackling or box-to-box midfielder to add competition alongside Stefan Bajcetic and Endo.
According to the Evening Standard, Doucoure will not be the player signed if Klopp opts to find another midfielder player before Friday's transfer deadline.
Having moved from Lens, the Mali international impressed during his first Premier League campaign at Selhurst Park, making a total of 34 appearances.
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The 23-year-old has also started each of Palace's three top-flight fixtures of 2023-24, helping the Eagles to four points from matches against Sheffield United, Arsenal and Brentford.
That said, the report says that Liverpool have no intention of meeting Palace's £70m valuation, despite being admirers of the player.
With Doucoure possessing a contract until 2027, the London club will not lower his price tag, effectively leaving Liverpool to look elsewhere.
Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat, but the Morocco international appears more likely to move to Manchester United providing that the teams can agree a deal.
Darren Plant
