Virgil van Dijk promised a big summer at Liverpool but, really, that was wrong – it is a ginormous summer… and we are only just getting started.

The Reds have made financial history by acquiring Florian Wirtz for a club-record fee, strategically enhancing their defense with the additions of Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, while still actively seeking a No 9 and a central defender.

Additionally, the summer promises significant player departures, potentially including Darwin Nunez, with the futures of Harvey Elliott, Federico Chiesa, and Andy Robertson also uncertain.

Has Ibrahima Konate stalled on contract talks and do you see him extending his deal?

It’s not new information that Konate’s contract poses an issue, leaving Liverpool in a complicated spot, although there are currently no significant worries within the club.

Talks began towards the end of last year but reports at the time saying a deal was close were puzzling, because no significant progress has been made. It is the parties are not seeing eye to eye at the moment but that does not mean they will not reach an agreement.

Real Madrid’s interest is real and Paris Saint-Germain have also been mooted — but remember Dean Huijsen has already signed for Madrid and his former Bournemouth team-mate Ilya Zabarnyi seems destined for Paris.

A lot will rest on whether Konate wants to stay, and that is not really clear at this stage. Talking to him in the mixed zone last month, the Frenchman spoke about his love for Liverpool which gave some confidence he is keen to extend.

But this is an issue that won’t go away just yet. Let’s wait and see what the next few weeks bring.

I get the feeling it’s Alexander Isak who will determine whether we go for Hugo Ekitike. If Isak doesn’t sign this summer, could he give his word and join next year, with Liverpool abstaining from signing a forward this summer?

What I was told last week is: if Isak could move to Liverpool, he would. Easier said than, done, of course.

So, is Isak to Liverpool probable? No. But is it possible? Yes.

It is not one to completely rule out but there is a strong feeling in the industry that the next month of the window will be more about Liverpool balancing the books with sales. Without those, there is no chance they could afford a big-money striker.

Newcastle are quoting £200million for Isak and, to be honest, that is far too much for a 25-year-old. But the fact they are talking money must mean they are slightly worried… and his long-term future in terms of a new contract remains uncertain at St James’ Park.

Ekitike is certainly a player Liverpool like but nothing is advanced for the Eintracht Frankfurt forward at the moment. The likes of Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are on the move but I don’t think either fit the bill right now.

As to the second part of your question, it is an interesting theory. Being brutally honest, I don’t think either of Liverpool’s No 9s, Darwin Nunez or Diogo Jota, are good enough. So next summer could be a big one, too.

But I know one thing Liverpool’s hierarchy have discussed is the fact there is not a great market for complete No 9s – hence why I wrote the other day that they have considered signing a versatile forward, rather than shopping for a mythical player that is not available.

Do you think Ben Doak fits the bill of a versatile young sixth-choice forward that has been spoken about, or will he leave for whichever club offers to pay the most?

I love watching Doak. Direct, fast, fearless. Maybe he needs to improve his end product but he is 19 and, likewise, there are worries about his injury record.

There are three options for Liverpool now: loan him out to the Championship or a bottom-half Premier League club again, where he will – all being well with fitness – play 35 or so games in a competitive league; sell him to generate funds; or keep him as sixth-choice forward.

Personally, I would loan him out unless a huge bid comes in, with a buyback clause.

Everton, Crystal Palace and Bournemouth have kept tabs on him – but none have been willing thus far to cough up the £25million-plus fee Liverpool are seeking.

What are realistic plans for Rio Ngumoha, Trey Nyoni and James McConnell this season?

Good question.

From what I have heard, Arne Slot is a huge fan of McConnell. He has told him as much and, in a meeting earlier this year, McConnell was told he could be on a par with Wataru Endo in terms of his role in the squad within the next year.

Saying that, though, maybe a loan is best for him in this coming season – and there is a long list of clubs monitoring his situation, despite a recent injury. I think he will get a chance to impress in pre-season, though.

As for Ngumoha and Nyoni, they will hope to continue training with the first team while playing regularly for Liverpool’s Under 21s and in the UEFA Youth League. Slot likes them both, though, clearly – so maybe they will be given some minutes in the cup competitions.

Have you heard of any interest in Malick Fofana? Could he be a realistic target for this window?

It’s a name that is sent to me every day by fans.

I think the 20-year-old Lyon winger is on Liverpool’s radar but nothing more than that yet. Could change, of course!

How fast do you think Liverpool will move to sign a centre back?

With Jarell Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen all-but complete, I think this one could move on in the next week.

Liverpool’s main desire, as reported last week, is a young player who can eventually grow into a successor to Virgil van Dijk.

I mentioned Jorrel Hato at Ajax as one they like and that is certainly the case, after they missed out on teenagers Lenny Yoro and Dean Huijsen in the last two summer windows.

As well as this desire for a youthful face, they will keep abreast of market opportunities, which brings us on to our next question…

Do you think Liverpool will move for Marc Guehi and what do you think the future holds for Stefan Bajcetic?

Guehi represents an opportunity for Liverpool. At 24 he is still young, he has ample Premier League experience and he would be good for the homegrown quota.

Their chances of snapping up the Crystal Palace captain will depend on the price demanded by the FA Cup winners. There is talk Liverpool will try to lowball Palace at £30million, whereas Palace would demand around £50m.

So maybe, realistically and reading between the lines, £40m could be the sort of figure that ensures a handshake.

Easier said than done, of course, but these things are true: Liverpool like Guehi, Guehi likes the idea of playing for Liverpool, Guehi will almost certainly leave Selhurst Park this summer.

If the interest turns serious, then this one could definitely happen.

As for Bajcetic, there is interest in him from around Europe after his loans last season at Red Bull Salzburg and Las Palmas. The last time I checked, Liverpool were keen to have a look at the 20-year-old in pre-season and make a decision from there.

But I do think there is a first-team squad place available for a deeper-lying midfielder and Bajcetic could be the one to fill that role.

After all, Liverpool may not have the luck they had this year with injuries in that department, with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister barely missing a game.

What’s the latest on Andy Robertson?

Atletico Madrid remain confident of tempting him to join but the latest is pretty much the same as this time last week: Robertson has not made up his mind yet.

The Scotland captain, 31, is enjoying a short break at the moment and has lots to ponder. Maybe by the end of the week we will have more clarity.

And if Robertson leaves, will Kostas Tsimikas stay? And what about young left backs Owen Beck and Luke Chambers?

I think Tsimikas would have to remain at Anfield in that scenario, unless Liverpool press forward with their interest in Hato, who can play at centre back and left back.

Beck, 22, has lots of clubs interested in him, including Wrexham, Sheffield United, Rangers, Celtic and plenty more in the Premier League and Championship. Liverpool are in no rush to sanction a move – on loan or permanent – because of the amount of interest they have received.

Chambers nearly moved to Hull in January, actually, but returned to Wigan on loan where he did well. Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah have stepped up from League One loans to the first team, so we can’t rule out Chambers achieving the same.

But another loan would seem to be the best bet for Chambers, who had an injury-hit season.

How many more players do you expect Liverpool to target to bring in?

A few months ago I said I was expecting four or five first-team signings this summer. I remember that was slightly ridiculed at the time!

But I’ll stick with that. Three are through the door and I imagine they will now go for two more, a centre back and a forward.

Anything else depends on outgoings and, with more than £200million spent (counting goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in this calculation), they may have to be careful with profit and sustainability concerns.

Obviously, aside from those positions mentioned, Liverpool are always on top of academy recruitment and market opportunities for young stars. So let’s keep our eyes peeled for those sorts of buys…