The transfer market is not a zero-sum game, and a fixation on “replacements” is generally unwise. Liverpool avoided expecting them to sign someone to fill the Georginio Wijnaldum void directly last year, while Philippe Coutinho was never truly ‘replaced’ at Anfield either. So, while Divock Origi is expected to leave this summer, there is no guarantee that his role in the team will be filled on an identical basis.

Even without the Belgian, the team has five bona fide elite forwards. That’s before Takumi Minamino is factored into the equation and ignores the possibility of Harvey Elliott – and potentially Fabio Carvalho – playing in the front row. In short, Jürgen Klopp is basically in attack, and the biggest ‘gap’ Origi will leave is an extra non-local slot.

However, of these five attackers, three are out of contract next year. As for Minamino, it is widely believed that Liverpool could see this summer as the best time to cash in. While it might not be necessary to replace Origi directly, the arithmetic in terms of the number of attackers required could change very quickly.

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As such, there’s still a chance of a transfer prophecy coming true. While Ivan Toney would never be signed as a sixth-choice striker, particularly given the £50million price tag Brentford allegedly slapped on his head, FSG could still be tempted to turn to him in case where others would leave the club. It’s a move that Darragh MacAnthony, a Liverpool supporter and the striker’s former chairman at Peterborough United, had planned for last year.

“I’m a Liverpool fan and I know my players. And I would be delighted if [Liverpool] signed Ivan. Give me him on Origi any day of the week.

“Liverpool cross the ball with quality for fun and imagine Ivan finding himself at the end of these crosses from these full-backs!

“Obviously we’ve done well financially since Ivan’s transfer and we could do better across the board, but I don’t mind him staying at Brentford either because we get paid if they stay in the Premier League. League.”

With 39 points in the bank, Brentford’s safety is all but assured and Peterborough will receive their wages. But that doesn’t rule out MacAnthony’s suggestion about Toney and Origi coming to fruition. In fact, the timing could be perfect.

Toney has proven himself in the Premier League, equaling Harry Kane as the division’s top-scoring Englishman. As a result, he is now said to be fishing for a new contract at Brentford, one that reflects his new status (90min). His current deal still runs until 2025, but the negotiations are still fraught with the risk of a major fallout.

Brentford must already negotiate amid transfer interest from Arsenal, West Ham, Everton, Newcastle and Wolves. But should Liverpool choose to get involved, they would have a key advantage. Like its former president, Toney is a Reds fan.

“I support Liverpool. If they come knocking, who knows? Who knows.”

It’s not the first thing Toney has said to raise eyebrows at Brentford, and he would surely be desperate to leave if Liverpool showed even a hint of interest. It’s also not impossible that his boyhood club is interested in him. Ranking well above average in various creative metrics, he has a hint of Roberto Firmino about him, something reinforced by his extreme efficiency in tackling, interceptions and blocks.

While it’s not as simple as ‘taking it on Origi’, Toney’s Liverpool idea still has merit. Should the upcoming contract talks with Brentford run into significant difficulties, FSG could yet be tempted to jump in – much to the delight of the striker and his former chairman.