Liverpool legend Graeme Souness will be disappointed if they fail to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara.
The Anfield giants have bought in just one player, left back Kostas Tsimikas from Olympiakos, and the defence of their first title in three decades begins next week.
In his column for The Times, Souness wrote: "The perfect time to sign players is when they do not have to be an instant hit but can be gradually introduced, so I am disappointed that Liverpool haven't done so while they are reigning Premier League and world champions.
"That worked well with the likes of Fabinho and Robertson, who came to the fore after spending several months learning the system and could bed in without the spotlight being on them.
"That was classic Liverpool when I played there and classic Manchester United for over more than 20 years under Sir Alex Ferguson - to strengthen from a position of power.
"Thiago Alcantara, the Bayern Munich midfielder, would be perfect because he works his socks off but is also gifted technically. He is 29, but he still has a couple of years, maybe three, at the highest level left in him."
