Liverpool have made a surprise move for Stuttgart's 30-year-old midfielder Wataru Endo and have revived interest in Bayern Munich's Ryan Gravenberch.
Endo, the combative Japan captain, is well known to Liverpool sporting director Jorge Schmadtke and can also play at centre-back. He is due on Merseyside for a medical.
Gravenberch, 21, is open to leaving as he wants to play more regularly. Bayern have so far resisted selling but they are overloaded with midfielders and are under pressure to recoup funds after Harry Kane's signing.
Liverpool have also asked about Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat plus Cheick Doucoure of Crystal Palace as they work through midfield targets.