Liverpool were hoping to start the new Premier League season with three points and no injuries on Saturday afternoon, yet football isn't that simple.

Jurgen Klopp's side could only muster a 2-2 draw with Fulham at Craven Cottage. To make matters worse, they lost Thiago Alcantara to injury. He's expected to be out for around six weeks with a hamstring complaint, leaving the Reds short in central midfield.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also has a sore hamstring, while Curtis Jones is nursing a calf injury. Although Naby Keita is nearing a return to fitness after contracting Covid, Klopp may need to dip into the transfer market for a short-term solution to this dilemma.

Long-term, Jude Bellingham would be an ideal signing for Liverpool. The England international, 19, is already a top central midfielder and, hopefully, will get better with age. Yet he wants to stay at German side Borussia Dortmund for at least another season.

Matheus Nunes is another player that's been mentioned. The Sporting Lisbon star, 23, is a fine young midfielder but would come at a cost - thought to be £51million - and it's unclear whether Liverpool want him long-term with Bellingham in mind.

Finding a short-term solution is difficult, especially if you're a so-called 'Top Six' club. Yet Leicester midfielder Youri Tielemans might just be the answer. The 25-year-old has just 11 months left on his contract and could be available for as little as £25m.

Tielemans is viewed as one of the best midfielders outside the Premier League's 'Top Six' and regularly features for Belgium's globetrotting side. He's a nice passer of the ball and does contribute with goals, finding the net seven times last season.

Tielemans is also young enough to be influenced by Klopp's coaching and will only go up in value if Liverpool get him on the cheap. There's a chance the Reds could sell the Belgian for a profit in 12 months' time and use that cash to finance a move for Bellingham.

There are some Liverpool fans that are against signing a new central midfielder, which is understandable. Klopp is eager to give opportunities to Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones, but that's a risky move as both players have struggled with injuries.

There's also a question over whether Elliott is destined to become a central midfielder. The 19-year-old has shown promise as a winger and Klopp may decide to mould him into a long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah, instead of Thiago.

Liverpool will need to be prepared for the season ahead. They played in every single competitive game last season - 63, in total - and will be hoping for a repeat of this term. In fact, the Reds could end up playing 64 matches - seeing as they won the Community Shield. (I appreciate some of our readers won't class that as a competitive game!)

Based on his age and contract, Tielemans would be an ideal option for Klopp's side. He would be an able deputy for Thiago and the Reds could end up making a profit on him in the future. With Liverpool's injury list growing, signing Tielemans is a risk worth taking.