In recent years, Liverpool have been unable to secure the signings of world-class players due to continuous failure to qualify for the UEFA Champions League.

Thus, they have failed to match the spending power enjoyed by their English rivals.

But not anymore!

Liverpool’s fourth placed finish has opened limitless opportunities that the club must seize. Their successful league campaign last season has brought about Champions League football, and now it seems a host of the world’s best players want to sign for the Merseyside club.

Shoot! lists the four players that Liverpool should sign this summer that will enable them to challenge both in England and Europe next season…

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

This is an opportunity that Liverpool cannot ignore. Rumours have circulated that Aubemeyang was open to a move to Merseyside, with Borussia Dortmund reportedly willing to accept any offer in the region of €70m.

Liverpool need a striker. Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino were all deployed in the striker role last season, but none could provide goals on a consistent basis.

Liverpool have therefore struggled to defeat teams in the lower half of the league due to their lack of an out-and-out goalscorer, particularly at home. This season alone at Anfield, they have failed to dispose of Southampton, Crystal Palace, AFC Bournemouth, Swansea City and West Ham United.

Aubameyang would solve this problem. He led the goalscoring charts in the Bundesliga last season, having netted 31 goals in 32 appearances. Across his four years in Dortmund, he has appeared on 189 occasions and scored 120 times, recording a 0.63 goals per game ratio.

This goalscoring record has seen the Gabonese striker establish himself as one of the most lethal strikers in world football.

It would take a substantial fee, but Liverpool have no shortage of money now they have qualified for the Champions League.

Virgil Van Dijk

Liverpool were heavily linked with Virgil Van Dijk earlier on in the summer and it looked as if they would secure the services of their top summer target, until they were forced to back out of any potential deal following an illegal approach for the player.

After this embarrassing episode, Liverpool’s interest in the Southampton defender has cooled.

But with the 18-time English Champions needing a centre-back, reviving a move for Van Dijk seems to be the sensible option.

The Dutchman was considered by many to be one of the best centre-backs in the league last year, before an injury curtailed his season.

A tall, strong and pacey centre back, Van Dijk is also comfortable with the ball at his feet, meaning he has all the tools needed to be a world-class defender.

He may end up costing in excess of £50m, but a deal for the Southampton defender would put an end to Liverpool’s woes in the centre of defence.

Ryan Bertrand

James Milner did a reasonable job in the left side of defence last season, but he was only a makeshift left-back.

Liverpool’s only other real option in that position is Alberto Moreno, but his fiery and rash nature means he is too unreliable to hold down that position.

Liverpool therefore need a new full-back and they should look no further than Ryan Bertrand.

The Champions League winner has gone from strength to strength at Southampton, where he has emerged into one of the best left-backs in the Premier League.

Comfortable in defence and attack, he would solve a problematic position for Liverpool.

Kasper Schmeichel

Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius both shared the number one role at Liverpool last season, but neither flattered to deceive when called upon.

The former did perform to a good standard towards the end of the campaign, but his inconsistency had proven he should not be the starting goalkeeper for a team with title aspirations.

Joe Hart could be one name that is targeted by Liverpool, but Kasper Schmeichel would be a better fit for the Merseyside club.

The Dane has proven his calibre as a top class Premier League goalkeeper in recent years, including in the 2015/2016 season when his consistent performances in goal helped Leicester City achieve the impossible and win the Premier League.

With Leicester enduring a tough season last term, Schmeichel could be looking to jump ship.

Valued at roughly £30m, the Dane would not come cheap, but he would solve Liverpool’s goalkeeper crisis.