"Will be the busiest summer since 2018": Third journalist teases massive summer 2022 spending spree for Liverpool

Ian Doyle has become the third journalist in the last week to tease Liverpool fans with the prospect of a big summer transfer outlay.

The Reds have achieved some remarkable feats in the last few years, most notably being the 2020 Premier League triumph which saw the Merseysiders end the season on 99 points to end a 30-year wait for a league title.

However, their transfer activity hasn't been as ambitious as their on-pitch exploits with the finger being pointed at owners, FSG, by supporters with Dejan Lovren and now Georginio Wijnaldum not being replaced when they needed to be.

However, Ian Doyle has become the third journalist in recent days to tease Liverpool fans with the prospect of a major summer overhaul to ensure the Reds go into the 2022/23 season with a squad ready to challenge on four fronts.

He said: "All logic points to the fact FSG are going to spend reasonably big this summer. I'm fully expecting there to be a few notable departures, and I think there are some key areas that will need improving - midfield and the forward line.

"Possibly even a centre-back, depending on what happens with Gomez or Matip. I think this will be the busiest summer since 2018 in terms of incomings - but it might be a case of quality rather than quantity.

"At least that's what I'd be aiming for. A couple of big buys and perhaps some younger talent that can be brought through."

Earlier this month, another Liverpool Echo journalist, Paul Gorst, suggested that the club might be quite active in the summer.

He said: "I think this summer will be a big transfer window for the club. Not in terms of spending necessarily just rather refreshing the squad up."

David Lynch also told Anfield Watch: "I think Liverpool will have the capability​ to go big next summer but whether they do or not is an entirely different matter.

"Opening spaces in the squad is always a major consideration: for example, do Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain push for moves away in search of playing time, in turn creating space for Liverpool to future-proof their midfield with a big acquisition?

"And does the same happen with Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino in the forward areas?"

Liverpool don't necessarily need marquee signings but the lack of transfer activity over the last couple years means the squad is stagnating and had signings been made habitually to keep the squad fresh, Jurgen Klopp might have a healthier squad.

Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are all at a crossroads in their respective careers but all three will be 30 by the summer while all three of their contracts expire at the end of next season.

Divock Origi and Takumi Minamino have been good backups this season but neither shows the promise required to be potential long-term solutions while Diogo Jota has several years on his deal with the club and is firing at the moment.

In midfield, James Milner is leaving the club in the summer upon the expiry of his contract but putting all sentimentality aside, the 36-year-old hasn't been able to contribute in a very meaningful way for a few years now.

Jordan Henderson is ageing but has just signed a new deal that only expires in 2025 while Thiago Alcantara is injury prone and also getting on into his 30s so Liverpool could use someone like Aurelien Tchouameni to come in and spruce things up centrally.

Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott are ones for the future while Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is a player whose future is also uncertain.

Naby Keita could leave as soon as this summer with his contract set to expire in 2023 but he could still earn a new contract before his deal expires.

At the back, Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams could leave while Joe Gomez isn't getting any game time at the moment.

A big summer ahead of Liverpool. Let's hope it doesn't disappoint.