Arne Slot has "every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season", quizzed once again on his future on Merseyside ahead of Liverpool's trip to Aston Villa in the Premier League on Friday evening.

This won't sit well with an entire legion of disgruntled Liverpool fans, but if FSG and Slot are in concert over where things have gone wrong this season, and how these errors can be rectified, then clarity will help the transition back toward title contention.

For that to happen, Liverpool will need new signings, and with Reds correspondent David Lynch confirming that while the Merseysiders are set to spend, they are unlikely to splurge nine-digit figures on multiple forwards,

The likes of Bradley Barcola and RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande are on Liverpool's radar, but Richard Hughes and co are going to have to approach the transfer window somewhat shrewdly.

Liverpool open talks for Brazilian winger

The scale of Liverpool's task this summer is enormous, especially when considering the amount of improvements that are needed across almost every department.

The 19-year-old Diomande, for example, would be the perfect Salah replacement, but he is reaching the end of his first season as a first-team regular, and Leipzig want £87m.

Instead, Liverpool could turn to Brazilian winger Allan Elias, with ESPN Brazil's Andre Hernan revealing that the new contacts have been made for an up-and-coming talent who is "destined for Europe".

The Brasileiro Serie A side have previously made it clear that they would be seeking around £30m for the 22-year-old, but Liverpool have scouted him for some time now, and it could be the perfect low-cost signing to ensure FSG can sign a range of further targets.

Why Allan could be Liverpool's own Diomande

You can see why Allan is on Liverpool's radar. Hailed as a "monster" of a prospect by analyst Spencer Mossman, the Palmeiras star is flashy and furious with a strong defensive focus and athleticism that bespeaks his potential as a Premier League superstar.

Though he's not a centre-midfielder, Allan would certainly help Liverpool restore some physicality and punch in the middle of the park, winning 6.1 duels on average in the Brazilian top flight this term.

Typically found out on the right, the left-footer is also accomplished from a central attacking berth, though his output in front of goal could do with some work.

Diomande is more refined in that aspect, but this one has so much potential. Salah needs replacing, and Diomande has been levels above the legendary Egyptian this term. Allan could yet prove himself capable of stepping into those boots himself.

Liverpool have been lacking the kind of fleet-footed physicality that Luis Diaz once brought to Slot's side. The Colombian was not effectively replaced, and now, Allan could be the shrewd - and belated - successor out on the right, ensuring Liverpool return to strength even as Salah departs.

Allan is young and unrefined. He lacks the clarity that world-class players such as Barcola would bring to the table, but the trail behind him suggests that he is headed for the very top of the game.

The clues are most certainly there, and Allan could end up becoming an even bigger talent than Diomande for a portion of the price. It's one that Liverpool fans could look back on fondly indeed.