As the clock hit 11pm the summer transfer window officially closed and all deals had tone completed. For Liverpool the window was definitely a bit of a rollercoaster in terms of signings. We seemed to start well and get the deals we wanted done fairly quickly, however also missed out on first targets like Mario Gotze and Ben Chilwell. For sure we've picked up some good deals and signed quality, however it seems a bit worrying that we still haven't strengthened our weakest areas at left-back and holding midfield.
So who were steals? Joel Matip seems to be the obvious stand out, although the deal was agreed earlier on in the year he officially became a Liverpool player over the summer completing his free transfer. Matip was definitely one of the stand out defenders from the Bundesliga last year and his impressive attacking ability, picking up 3 goals and 3 assists in the league, seems to be why Klopp was drawn to him. So far Matip has only made one premier league appearance in the 1-1 draw against Spurs at White Hart Lane, Matip was praised overall for his performance and his ability to bring the ball out from defence to start an attack looked exciting.
Matip wasn't the only player we've brought to Merseyside from the Bundesliga, we also picked up injured goalkeeper Loris Karius to compete with Mignolet for £4.7m from Klopp's former team FC Mainz, and we signed centre back Ragnar Klavan from FC Augsburg for an undisclosed fee. Unfortunately Karius has missed the opening of the season due to a broken hand suffered in preseason, but Klavan had an impressive start against Arsenal and a less impressive performance the week later in the 2-0 defeat to Burnley. With Sakho seeming to not be in Klopp's vision it looks like it will be a battle between Klavan, Matip and Lovren.
Oh and we also signed Alex Manninger for free... I'm not to sure why.
And the last of the in's, we went and spent big money on Sadio Mane from Southampton (£34.0m) and Georginio Wijnaldum from Newcastle United (£25.0m). So far Mane has looked solid and his goal against Arsenal was really proving is £34.0m value. Wijanldum hasn't looked as good but i don't think we can judge him just yet, it seems as if Klopp has brought him in to play a more deeper role in midfield than he is used to however I hope in time he'll strengthen and become the player Klopp wants.
Now on to our outgoings, and there are a lot. In Klopp's first year at Dortmund he got rid of a lot of dead wright from the squad and it was obvious he was going to do the same at Liverpool. We definitely sold well in Joe Allen, Christian Benteke, Martin Skrtel, Jordan Ibe, Sergi Canos and Brad smith, bringing in £73.5m for just them. To put it into perspective the sales of Benteke, Allen and Ibe cover the costs of Mane and Wijanldum.
So thats all of the deals that actually got completed, but who did we desperately miss out on?
Yes Mario Gotze... No one but Mario, Klopp and his agent(s) will ever know what actually happened especially because at one point it looked as good as done but he instead opted to wait for a bit until Bayern accepted Dortmund's bid and he returned to his old club. Next up Ben Chilwell, he may have not been one of the fans first choice but he seemed to be Klopp's, In the end he was the only left-back we were ever actually in for and Leicester wouldn't accept our offer... So now replay James Milner at left-back.
And the fans' tears roll on as we exit the transfer window without signing a left-back. Probably one of the biggest disappointments this window is that we went in needing a left-back and a defensive midfielder, and the window has ended and we still need a left back and ball playing defensive midfielder. It currently looks like Klopp believes Henderson can do a job in the deeper midfield role (although he has looked poor so far) and Milner can be first choice left-back. It just baffles me that we have really gone into the season with Moreno and Milner as our only left-back options.
We dont ask for much as Liverpool fans, we didn't want the club to go out and spend £100m on Paul Pogba... We just wanted to sign Jonas Hector or Ricardo Rodriguez and Mahmoud Dahoud. I mean just imagine a midfield partnership of Dahoud and Can. And forget the Jamie Vardy story, when we would have won the league the world's eyes would've been on Dahoud: A Syrian born refugee who fled his country and became a professional footballer who went on to win the English league... just like on my FIFA Career Mode!
Of course there have been several rumours about us waiting until next year to try and sign Dahoud but these really are just rumours.
Overall I would say I'm pleased with the money made on the outgoings, the signing's of Karius, Matip, Klavan, Wijnaldum and especially Mane however I'm not 100% confident that we've strengthened as well as we needed to. I believe there is still a hole in defence at left-back and our midfield is very weak. Hopefully Emre Can can return from injury and strengthen our core but what happens if he picks up another injury? I'm convinced Klopp knows what he's doing now and is prepared to carry out his training philosophy, I just hope the training doesn't drive the players into the ground and we suffer loads of injuries. In conclusion there is nothing to complain about now as its been done, time to move on and hope the squad we have with its great depth is enough to secure top 4 and maybe a cup run!
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