Liverpool were expected to be the team to beat this season.
They spent over £400 million on new players with Alexander Isak being their marquee signing.
On paper, they had one of the best teams in the world but in reality, that was far from the case.
The Reds' lack of form this season has caused the rumour mill to go into overdrive with almost every available player being linked with an Anfield switch.
However, after the latest news to emerge from Anfield, the transfer of one player has never been closer.
Liverpool have not held contract talks with Alexis Mac Allister
Over the last couple of years Liverpool have been slowly sorting out the contracts of their first-team regulars.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk both extended their stays last summer and this season, Ryan Gravenberch has been handed a bumper new deal.
For as long as many can remember, the Reds have stuck to a strict wage bill but, with the way that football is going at the moment, wages are only rising with players demanding more and more each time.
With this in mind and as per an update from The Times, it seems like contract talks between Liverpool and Alexis Mac Allister have halted.
Normally, this wouldn't be seen as strange if other members of the squad such as Dominik Szoboszlai weren't in talks to extend their contracts.
However, since the Argentine isn't, it feels pretty damning for his future.
This may seem like a bad idea for Liverpool but, in the grand scheme of things, it could actually be for the greater good.
Why this means Eduardo Camavinga is closer to joining Liverpool
At the moment, Liverpool's midfield is one of the most stacked areas among their ranks.
Several players continually miss out on gametime due to the lack of space among Slot's starting XI which is why many expect one or two of the Reds' midfielders to be moved on.
And, since Mac Allister is being cast aside, it looks like he could be on his way out, with exits also rumoured for Curtis Jones and Szoboszlai.
If all or even just two of these players left, there would be a massive void for Liverpool to fill and, over the last few weeks, Eduardo Camavinga has been strongly linked with an Anfield switch.
Much like Liverpool, Real Madrid are looking to freshen things up next term with Mac Allister on top of their short list.
And, since the Reds are interested in Camavinga, it could mean that a deal is on its way for both players.
Camavinga is a solid player with Carlo Ancelotti even describing him as "extraordinary.”
He'd obviously cost Liverpool a pretty penny and a few things would have to fall into place to make the deal become a reality but, after the update about Mac Allister's contract talks coming to a halt, it feels like his switch has never been closer.
