The main group of midfielders, including James Milner and Naby Keita, left the team at the end of last season when their contracts expired. In addition, the unexpected transfers of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho required a major revamping of the midfield.
As a result, the team executed reinforcements in a bang, starting with the acquisition of Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister from Brighton and Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai from RB Leipzig.
The search for a defensive midfielder was a bit left and right, but the team was able to welcome Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo to the team and avoid paying a hefty transfer fee.
Then, just in time for the transfer deadline, they acquired Dutch U-21 midfielder Ryan Gravenberch, who had been struggling at Bayern.
Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, who had been with the club since preseason, made their presence felt right from the start of the season.
Gravenberch has also been active, especially in the Europa League. Endo had the impression of being a late starter, but his explosive performance last December has now transformed him into an indispensable player.
Fabrizio Romano, an Italian journalist, said that Liverpool feels they’ve done a brilliant business, referring to the play of the four midfielders signed last summer.
“Four new signings came in, with Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch all joining and looking now like fine business by Liverpool.”
“My understanding is that Liverpool are super happy with how they handled this important phase of recruitment. Not just now, but already in September Liverpool felt they did an excellent job. Mac Allister in particular is considered an incredible signing, a bargain considering conditions of the deal.”
“It’s the same with all the other midfielders who joined the club, especially Endo, who was not the biggest name but who has surprised a few people here in England, and they’re also convinced that Gravenberch’s future will be at the very top level as he bounces back from a difficult spell at Bayern Munich.”
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