PSG's squad selections are saying the quiet part loud

When a manager leaves two transfer-linked players out of a cup squad, you notice. When he then responds to a question about one of those players with nothing more than "Thank you. Goodbye." you really notice. Luis Enrique's body language around Bradley Barcola's reported Liverpool move has gone from guarded to barely concealed, and Sunday's French Super Cup only added fuel to a fire that's been burning all summer.

Barcola wasn't part of PSG's squad for the 1-0 defeat against Lens, and neither was Ibrahim Mbaye. The timing matters too, because new wing signing Mika Godts was also absent, though he's reportedly still recovering from a minor injury, which is a straightforward football reason. For Barcola and Mbaye, Enrique's pre-match comments appeared to hint that transfer considerations were behind the calls. That's a significant distinction, and Liverpool supporters will have clocked it immediately.

Anfield is already in a positive mood after a productive pre-season Sunday. An experimental XI drew 0-0 with Como in a behind-closed-doors fixture, before a separate lineup won 2-0 in a match at Anfield later in the day. Ronald Araujo made his Liverpool debut off the bench in that second fixture, and Jeremy Jacquet, the £60million summer arrival, marked his debut with a goal and impressed with some sharp turns in front of the Kop. The squad is taking shape, but Andoni Iraola will know better than anyone that the wide positions still need sorting before the window shuts in a fortnight.

The Mbaye race is already crowded

If Liverpool thought Ibrahim Mbaye would be a quieter piece of business than the Barcola pursuit, Sunday's reports will have offered a reality check. No fewer than eight clubs are said to be in the running for the PSG winger, with a price tag reported to be in excess of £30million. Borussia Dortmund are flagged as a particularly serious threat, while Bayer Leverkusen, Manchester United, Bayern Munich, FC Porto, RB Leipzig, AS Roma and Aston Villa are all said to be monitoring the situation.

That is a formidable list of competition, and it underlines the appeal of a player who represents considerably more affordable territory than his PSG team-mate Barcola, whose reported valuation sits north of £130million. Liverpool's interest in Mbaye appears genuine, and his absence from the Super Cup squad points in the same direction as Barcola's. But with that many heavyweights circling, the Reds will need to move decisively if they want to win that particular race.

Jones, Gakpo and the outgoings picture

The incomings story is only half of Liverpool's transfer window. On the other side of the ledger, two familiar names are generating serious attention. Cody Gakpo is reportedly one step away from joining Tottenham, with Italian reports suggesting the Dutchman has already agreed personal terms on a deal that would run until 2031. The sticking point remains the fee, with Liverpool valuing the 27-year-old at around £70million and Spurs yet to match that figure. It is the most significant step outstanding, but it is a big one.

Curtis Jones, meanwhile, was absent from both squads in Sunday's pre-season matches against Como. Andoni Iraola cited a small hip injury as the reason, and that may well be accurate. But it is difficult to ignore the fact that links connecting Jones to Inter Milan have been intensifying at the same time. Reports suggest Inter are close to freeing up the budget to pursue a £35million deal for the midfielder, pending sales of their own. Whether it is coincidence or something more pointed, the Jones situation is one to watch closely over the coming days.

With the window closing in a fortnight, Liverpool's summer business is entering its most critical phase, and the next few days could define whether Iraola gets the squad he truly needs.