A month ago, it was Jurgen Klopp that Liverpool fans worried about losing; now it’s an entire midfield.

Saudi Arabia is proving more persuasive than Germany as Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have had their heads turned by “life-changing” offers.

Where the manager gave the club a boost with his unequivocal ‘nein’ to his national team, the two stalwarts are leaving it in crisis.

Make no mistake, this is the whole toolbox in the crankshaft.

Just three weeks before the new season starts, what had been a meticulous re-tuning now requires a complete engine overhaul.

Liverpool had been delighted to bring in a couple of high-powered pistons in Alex Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai for £95 million. And were in the market for a No.6.

Ideally, he would be phased in as Fabinho’s successor, shepherded by the Brazilian and Henderson.

Having already waved goodbye to Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, James Milner and the lesser-spotted Arthur Melo (as well as Fabio Carvalho on loan), they felt they still needed the experience of this pair along with Thiago.

But now this!

Even Luis Dias has also been linked with a Gulf move to which Liverpool have given predictably short shrift.

Thiago has also been chased and may have been allowed to leave if a replacement had been found.

But now the need for bodies – even creaking ones – has become paramount.

Klopp still has Stefan Bajcetic, Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones.

But while the precocious Spaniard impressed as a defensive shield last season, he lacks the physical presence to be seen as Fabinho’s natural successor.

The two Englishmen are more attack-minded anyway as they recently showed in helping their country become Euro U20 champions.

The thinness of the squad was highlighted in Wednesday’s friendly when Trent Alexander-Arnold started in midfield and even Kostas Tsimikas played there.

As usual, Thiago wasn’t fit while Henderson was, understandably, left out. Fabinho didn’t even travel to the pre-season training camp.

It’s not just Liverpool who will be alarmed by the unprecedented four-pronged assault.

It’s a reality check for the entire EPL that one of its powerhouses is getting a taste of its own medicine.

Long accustomed to plundering even the elite European leagues with impunity, it shows that no one can live with Saudi oil wealth.

Whilst Liverpool are held in especially high regard – Steven Gerrard and Robbie Fowler are there as managers – these moves have not done the club any favours.

Instead of recruits “for the future”, “oven-ready” will now be an essential requirement of new arrivals with the commensurate increase in cost.

Clubs will also be aware of the Reds’ sudden need and hike the prices further while new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke will be in for a baptism of fire.

On the plus side, if the reported £40m fee for Fabinho is correct, Liverpool will be getting their money back on a player they had probably been happy to let go for much less.

The Brazilian “lighthouse” has been one of the shining stars of the Klopp era and had a transformative effect.

News of his arrival came the day after defeat to Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final and did wonders to lift the gloom.

The £12m agreed with El Ettifaq for Henderson is not such a bonus but probably includes a loyalty “discount” for the long-serving skipper.

That money will be useful in the coming days when transfer targets are identified.

For some fans, the root and branch revamp is welcome news. Liverpool stuttered – badly at times – last season and many Kopites felt that mere tinkering would not be enough to ensure a title challenge this time.

Neither Henderson nor Fabinho had good seasons, the latter being a mere shadow until the final weeks. And both seemed past their sell-by dates.

But given the loss of Milner, Henderson’s leadership was still valued while the Brazilian was the only genuine No.6 besides the still-injured Bajcetic.

It will not just be a test for Schmadtke who will have to hastily promote one or two on his list from possibles to shirt numbers.

The latest name to rise up the rumour mill is Cheick Doucoure, Crystal Palace’s 23-year-old defensive midfielder from Mali.

With a successful season in the EPL behind him – he was the club’s player of the year – and a liking for a tackle, he ticks a couple of key boxes.

He might also be cheaper than the likes of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, with whom the Reds have also been linked.

All this is overshadowing the mouthwatering prospect of watching Mac Allister and Szoboszlai in a newly-expanded 61,000 capacity Anfield.

The loss of Henderson, especially, has saddened much of Merseyside. Not only had he become a legend for his leadership in this glorious era, he epitomised the city’s liberal beliefs.

He went out on a limb to back the LBGTQ+ community and sounded as if he meant it. But the prospect of £700k a week has led to his being labelled a hypocrite.

That’s a pity but Hendo will have to live with it and he’ll be able to live very well.

Meantime, the club can wait for no one and has to make the best of this situation. After all, doesn’t every crisis throw up an opportunity?

If the new recruits hit the hallowed turf running, the Saudi raid may have hastened the rebuild.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.