In the summer transfer window, Liverpool made four significant acquisitions, and they are still integrating the new players into the team. It is unlikely that the supporters anticipated losing more players than the three whose contracts expired in June, even though implementing a midfield makeover had been deemed the Reds’ top priority. At the end of the season, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keïta all received their trade terminations confirmed, giving Liverpool time to sort things out. Yet on their shopping tour of England, Saudi Arabia made sure they didn’t overlook Anfield. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho of Liverpool had their eyes turned as some of the biggest names in the Premier League reached agreements with Pro League teams.
As a result, Jurgen Klopp had to take on the difficult task of replacing five senior midfield players, and with four new players joining, it wasn’t a window to be taken lightly. The Reds did, however, make a mistake in their pursuit of long-term transfer target Roméo Lavia, despite their impressive recruiting haul. For weeks, if not months, Liverpool had been linked to the former Southampton player, and a move to Anfield appeared highly likely.
That was, until the Reds defied fate and forcefully entered Chelsea’s chase of Moisés Caicedo, abruptly putting an extravagant £111 million bid on the table. Brighton, no doubt still feeling guilty about allowing Alexis Mac Allister to depart for a comparatively pitiful £35 million, accepted the bid naturally. Caicedo refused to sign with the Reds, insisting that Chelsea was the only team interested in signing him, even though there was a huge financial incentive.
To make matters more awkward, Lavia also moved to Stamford Bridge, which meant Liverpool no longer had their top target, With limited time Liverpool had to quickly find a replacement following this unexpected turn of events. When Wataru Endō did finally show up at the club, it appeared more like a frantic sign of necessity than a declaration of intent. Like Dominik Szoboszlai and Mac Allister, who have since displaced Endō as the less preferred No. 1, Endō has struggled to establish himself since his arrival.
Obviously, there should be grace and patience during any transition, but Liverpool is in excellent form right now, and they will undoubtedly bet on themselves to finish in the top four or even further this year.
