Throughout the summer transfer window, many different players were linked with Liverpool.

The Anfield outfit were gearing up to be one of the busiest teams in the world but, in the end, they only managed to sign four new players.

Of course, these four players are all extremely likely to have a positive impact on the Reds but, since other areas of their squad aren't playing to the same standards, they're falling behind their title rivals.

Indeed, they were unbeaten across all competitions up until last Sunday when they lost 3-0 against Manchester City but, it was clear that certain areas of their squad still needed upgrading.

And, even though the winter transfer window is still some time away yet, many different links have started to emerge with the Reds now being pushed closer to signing one of their long-term targets.

Throughout the summer, one of Andoni Iraola and Richard Hughes' main goals was to replace Mohamed Salah .

The Egyptian King mutually agreed to terminate his Liverpool contract a year early after enduring many fallings out with Arne Slot .

Whether it was because he was being left on the bench or played out of position, Salah and the Dutchman clashed one too many times which led to the 33-year-old wanting to exit.

From a tactical formation and squad depth perspective, "Liverpool now close to signing 27-goal star after Fabrizio Romano update" carries substantial tournament implications for international seeding and domestic campaign momentum. Coaching staffs are heavily weighing high-pressing efficiency (PPDA), defensive transition pace, and fixture fatigue management.

Tactical analysts monitoring Transfer Wire metrics emphasize that squad adaptability and set-piece execution will likely dictate outcomes in high-leverage knockout environments. Real-time match telemetry and tracking data continue to inform managerial decision-making.

Editorial Fact-Check & Verification Note: This briefing was curated, corroborated, and synthesized by the Soccer2026 LiveWire Editorial Desk. Readers following "Liverpool now close to signing 27-goal star after Fabrizio Romano update" are encouraged to review the full primary source coverage linked below for complete historical context, direct quotes, and official statements.