Liverpool are reportedly likely to miss out on the signature of Hoffenheim forward Maximilian Beier.
The Merseyside giants have currently taken the approach of not adding to their squad before the start of the new Premier League campaign.
Arne Slot has instead been left to work with the players that are at his disposal, guiding his new side to three successive victories during pre-season.
Real Betis, Arsenal and Manchester United have all been brushed aside, yet the expectation remains that fresh faces will eventually arrive at Anfield.
Although acquiring a replacement for defender Joel Matip is likely to be at the top of the club's priorities, speculation persists that another attacker could be signed in due course.
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Liverpool to lose out in Beier race
Before the start of 2023-24, Beier had an extremely modest goalscoring record as a professional, only netting seven times in the second tier for Hannover 96 during the previous campaign.
However, it proved to be a different story having returned to his parent club, the 21-year-old scoring 16 times from 33 appearances in the Bundesliga last season.
Beier subsequently earned a call-up to the Germany squad for Euro 2024 and the expectation is that he will now be sold to a bigger club due to the release clause in his contract.
According to Sky Sport Deutschland journalist Florian Plettenberg, who was commenting on X, it will be Borussia Dortmund who will win the race for his signature.
Plettenberg says that Liverpool have been striving to sign Beier for a number of weeks, and as recently as earlier this month, but the player's preference is Dortmund.
Nevertheless, it is added that Dortmund are yet to reach an agreement with Hoffenheim, perhaps hinting that they have not activated his £25m buy-out option.
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How will Liverpool react?
With Mohamed Salah seemingly more likely to remain at Liverpool than not, Slot may instead prefer to bid his time with only three Premier League fixtures to come before the end of the transfer window.
Fabio Carvalho has done enough across pre-season to suggest that he could still have a part to play in the final third, yet speculation persists that Liverpool could cash in for the right price.
However, Darwin Nunez is yet to play any part of the summer schedule after his time with Uruguay at the Copa America and will plausibly be selected on the substitutes' bench at best when Liverpool face Ipswich Town on August 17.
Darren Plant
