With Fabinho and Jordan Henderson edging closer to departures from Liverpool, new sporting director Jörg Schmadtke is going to be a busy man across the course of the next few weeks.

Jürgen Klopp confirmed today, while speaking on the We Are Liverpool podcast, that Liverpool will definitely make more signings before the first match of the new season against Chelsea in 22 days.

At least one more midfield player is absolutely vital to bring in, while there remains a massive need for a defender to come in to bolster the ranks in that position ahead of the new campaign.

READ MORE: Liverpool should consider wildcard Fabinho replacement to unlock Jürgen Klopp's own Andrea Pirlo

READ MORE: Liverpool has already found Jordan Henderson replacement and only Mohamed Salah can match him

Firstly, though, replacing Fabinho— a player who would have been the number one pick at number six for the game with Chelsea had he not been the subject of a $51m (£40m/€46m) bid that was simply too much to turn down — has to be the number one priority.

Liverpool is therefore being linked with a number of midfielders with some who can come straight into the team and others who would represent more long-term projects that would need to be bedded in.

Here is the Liverpool.com verdict on the transfer gossip to emerge around the Reds today.

Joshua Kimmich (Bayern Munich)

With Liverpool needing to sign midfield players this summer and Bayern Munich seeking to fund a move for Harry Kane and a few others, Kicker reported last week that the Reds were interested in Joshua Kimmich.

Spanish outlet Fichajes now reports that Liverpool and Manchester United are both set to submit bids in the coming days for Kimmich, with Manchester City also credited with being keen on the 28-year-old, who is under contract until 2025.

Liverpool.com says: Kimmich would be a midfielder who could make an instant impact at Liverpool and there is a clear need for someone who can slide straight into the team in place of Fabinho.

He has loads of experience and can also play at right-back, which could be useful when Trent Alexander-Arnold needs a break, but the question really is about the money. At 28, he would not be a typical Liverpool signing and his wages would be substantial.

Roméo Lavia (Southampton)

Ex-Manchester City youngster Roméo Lavia is once again on the agenda for Liverpool, with the Belgian teenager one of the options being looked at as Liverpool looks to replace Fabinho.

Klopp is 'extremely keen' to sign Lavia, Football Insider reports, and Liverpool hopes to get a deal over the line before the end of the month amid interest from Arsenal and Chelsea too.

A compromise could be reached on his $64m (£50m/€58m) valuation with the player having made it clear that he would be open to making the move to Anfield a year after being sold by Pep Guardiola. Manchester City would get 20 per cent of the fee.

Liverpool.com says: Lavia appears to be a realistic addition in the center of the pitch for Liverpool and with Fabinho and Henderson going, there is going to be movement in the market soon when it comes to finding replacements. Liverpool might just have to pay the money and get it over the line, with every club now aware of the Reds' desperate need for holding midfield players.