Liverpool’s last 72 hours during the transfer window are likely to be focused on player sales, with Luis Alberto the latest heading out of the club.

A fee of £4.2 million has been agreed with Lazio for the 23-year-old Spanish midfielder, who proved unable to make the grade following his move to Merseyside three years ago.

Alberto has spent the last two years on loan, first at Malaga and last season at Deportivo La Coruna.

Liverpool thought they were signing a future Spanish international when they lured Alberto from La Liga in 2013. He had been developing at Sevilla and on loan to Barcelona, where he played for the B side. But his opportunities were limited at Anfield.

Liverpool have agreed further add-ons as part of the negotiation with the Rome club, and will also receive 30 per cent of the value of any future sale of the midfielder.

Alberto travelled to Italy this afternoon to meet Lazio officials. Personal terms are still to be agreed between the club and player.

It is highly unlikely Liverpool will be active in signing new players between now and Wednesday. Manager Jurgen Klopp’s current priority is trimming his squad.

Mario Balotelli is still in talks with Nice, who are leading the pursuit of his signature.

Balotelli has only one year remaining on his Liverpool contract so whatever the terms of that particular deal, it will represent the permanent end of one of the most peculiar Anfield careers.

Several other members of Klopp’s squad are the subject of interest, with Lazar Markovic another with the possibility of heading to Italy. AC Milan have shown interest in taking him for the the next 12 months.

Liverpool are also waiting to see if Mamadou Sakho will take the opportunity to acquire game time elsewhere. The French defender faces a fight on his hands to dislodge Dejan Lovren, Joel Matip and Ragnar Klavan from their preferred roles at centre-back.

A possible loan move to Stoke now looks unlikely because the centre-back has suggested he is not interested in that proposal.