Liverpool look to bring in Virgil van Dijk and Thomas Lemar before window shuts... so, how could they line up?

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Liverpool are set to make significant overtures in the transfer market this week as Jurgen Klopp hopes to capitalise on an encouraging start to the season.

A club-record deal for Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita went through on Tuesday, although the Guinea international will not make the switch to Merseyside until next summer.

Fenway Sports Group will turn their attentions back to Virgil van Dijk in the quest for defensive reinforcements and are hoping to hijack Arsenal's interest in Monaco's Thomas Lemar.

Liverpool will welcome midfielder Naby Keita to the squad for the start of the 2017-18 season

Philippe Coutinho is set to leave Liverpool in the next few days with Barcelona the destination

It means Jurgen Klopp's possible starting XI could well be tantalising by the time they travel to Manchester City on September 9 — even if Philippe Coutinho eventually departs.

Looking beyond that, there are a number of options available to the manager. Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana are still on their way back from injury, while Andrew Robertson should make the left back spot his own.

Trent Alexander-Arnold and Joe Gomez have both impressed at full back already and the midfield has sparkled at times, albeit not consistently.

But to the transfers. Monaco are insistent they will keep hold of Lemar beyond the summer window and have turned down two bids, the highest at around £60million, from Liverpool.

Liverpool are hopeful of using the Coutinho money to sign Monaco forward Thomas Lemar

Adam Lallana is still sidelined and provides another midfield option when he returns to the fold

Klopp is likely to go back in for the 21-year-old, with the future of Coutinho still in major doubt given Barcelona's persistent pursuit.

Coutinho has not pulled on a red shirt this month, complaining of a back injury and then illness after handing in a transfer request while Barca attempted to prise him away from Anfield.

The interest in Van Dijk is long-standing and landed them in hot water after Southampton were left furious over potential tapping up.

Saints have always maintained Van Dijk is going nowhere but FSG are ready to test their resolve with an offer in the region of £70m.

If Coutinho does go, his fee — upwards of £130m — would cover these two signings if the deals were structured in similar ways in terms of annual payments.

Jurgen Klopp could line up with a very different side at Manchester City following the deadline

Virgil van Dijk remains a Southampton player but he has expressed a desire to join the Reds

'The door has never been shut on Virgil,' said Southampton captain Steven Davis. 'We will welcome him back. I'm sure if he came back into the team everybody would see the quality he's undoubtedly got.

'He is popular in the dressing room and has been a massive player for us. Hopefully we'll keep him as it will make our squad stronger.'

The demolition of Arsenal on Sunday said as much about Liverpool going forward as it did the deficiencies undermining Arsene Wenger.

Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane are a fearsome trio, with Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip encountering few problems at the back.

Klopp does want defensive improvement, however, and Van Dijk's record in the Premier League has been exemplary.

Dejan Lovren has been at the heart of the defence but he could be replaced by van Dijk

Liverpool's official line on Simon Mignolet was that he was rested for the game against Arsenal

Lovren is susceptible to a wobble at the back — as evidenced during the Champions League ties against Hoffenheim — and the need for a more consistent partner for Matip is obvious.

Lemar, on the other hand, is more of a luxury and would rubber-stamp Liverpool's growing stature as one of the Premier League's elite again. The Frenchman could play to the left of a midfield three but it's more likely he'd be stationed further forward, meaning Klopp has the option to rotate at will.

Salah and Mane would be expected to keep their places in the attack, playing behind Firmino who has enjoyed a terrific start to the new campaign. 

They would be serious options if FSG get the business done. It should be an intriguing two days at Melwood.

PS. Keita is expected to seamlessly fit into the Liverpool midfield when he arrives next season and could well take the spot of Emre Can, whose contract situation has not yet been resolved. 

How Liverpool could line up against City if Lemar and Van Dijk sign this transfer window