After signing few players in the previous windows, Liverpool had a quiet transfer window. Their main aim was to strengthen one key area a Centre-Back. Liverpool’s ace CB (Van Dijk – Matip) pairing was injured for almost all year the last season. Their main aim was to strengthen one key area a Centre-Back. The second aim for the board was to give contract extensions to key players and promote youth in the upcoming season.
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How did Liverpool fair in 2020?
Liverpool lost ground in the middle stages of the league. Klopp’s men rediscovered their form and went on a superb run that saw them win eight of their last 10 Premier League matches to clinch a Champions League place on the final day of the season. Leicester’s collapse certainly helped but the way Liverpool dug deep to grind out wins when they needed to show great character. So Liverpool ended a turbulent 2020/21 season without silverware but still has Champions League football to look forward to next season. The big question is how the players respond to this disappointing campaign and come back stronger next year.
Transfer Activity
A large number of Liverpool fans endured a frustrating deadline day, as they awaited new signings that never materialized such as the need for a new striker and a winger to deepen our squad strength which we severely lacked during most stages last campaign. Henderson’s contract was another example of sporting director Michael Edwards’s concerted efforts to tie down the nucleus of Jurgen Klopp’s side is a major plus, with few more contract extensions being lined up during the season.
A few other contracts that were given were to:-
Adrian – to 2022
Trent Alexander-Arnold – to 2025
Alisson Becker – to 2027
Harvey Elliott – to 2026
Fabinho – to 2026
Jordan Henderson – to 2025
Caoimhin Kelleher – to 2026
Nat Phillips – to 2025
Robertson to 2026
In’s and Out’s
In’s
Ibrahim Konate remained Liverpool only signing of the window, with his £36m moves from RB Leipzig ensuring the club averts the center-back crisis that plagued them last season.
Outs
As far as out’s are concerned Wijnaldum the Dutch midfielder ended his five-year stay to join PSG on a free as his contract was not tied down quick enough, leaving Liverpool with a considerable task to replace the midfield engine. Shaqiri had left due to personal aspirations and not getting enough playtime. Below is the list of academy players/players that got little to no much action, that have been sold or loaned to get more exposure.
Sepp van den Berg – Preston North End (Loan)
Kamil Grabara – Copenhagen (£3m)
Liam Millar – Basel (£1.3m)
Marko Grujic – Porto (£10.5m)
Taiwo Awoniyi – Union Berlin (£6.5m)
Harry Wilson – Fulham (£12m)
Ben Davies – Sheffield United (Loan + £500k)
Ben Woodburn – Hearts (Loan)
Adam Lewis – Livingston (Loan)
Paul Glatzel – Tranmere Rovers (Loan)
Leighton Clarkson – Blackburn (Loan)
Rhys Williams – Swansea (Loan)
Jake Cain – Newport County (Loan)
Luis Longstaff – Queen’s Park (Loan)
Sheyi Ojo – Millwall (Loan)
Anderson Arroyo – Mirandes (Loan)
Jakub Ojrzynski – Caernarfon Town (Loan)
What to expect from Liverpool?
Going into the season, Liverpool will be one of the 4 frontrunners for the title alongside City, United, and Chelsea. Klopp would need to bring more out of his squad as a whole to stay consistent and fight on all fronts. Van Dijk’s presence would mean a better defense as compared to last season. The 2020-21 season saw Liverpool drop points majorly against bottom sides. The focus will be on getting more creativity to extract and break the low-block defensive sides with the addition of Elliott and Minamino to bolster the attack. So keep supporting this squad is the motive here for the fans.
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