The summer transfer window of 2023 has closed. Many big teams show ambition when they constantly bring in quality contracts. Coach Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool can be satisfied with its shopping when welcoming four new contracts with a total value of 184 million USD.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch respectively landed at Anfield. All of them complement and strengthen the midfield. However, do new contracts really work?
Liverpool adds 4 new signatures.
Wataru Endo became a big question mark in the eyes of many fans. The Japanese midfielder impressed in the Bundesliga. However, the Premier League is a completely different tournament with high competitiveness, requiring strength, collisions, and fierce disputes.
The departure of the duo Fabinho and Jordan Henderson, invisibly created a big gap in midfield. The appearance of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai is expected to add strength and pressing ability to the Kop’s midfield.
Gravenberch arrives at Liverpool.
Rookie Gravenberch received many expectations. Sharing with Liverpool TV, Klopp assessed the Dutch midfielder: “I am really happy with the appearance of Ryan Gravenberch. He is a special talent. Everyone knows that.”
Gravenberch’s versatile, flexible playing style and good skill set help Klopp have a more diverse tactical and personnel plan in the midfield. At the age of 21, the Dutch star is considered an investment contract for the future with The Kop.
Looking at Liverpool’s current staff, we recognize an imbalance between the lines. In it, the defense becomes fragile and lacks depth.
Liverpool’s fragile defense.
Klopp has not added a quality centre-back or full-back this summer. The Anfield team bets on four faces Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konaté, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez.
In the most ideal state, the four faces above are considered excellent central defenders. However, that scenario doesn’t happen often. Konate has a dense history of trauma. Meanwhile, the duo Matip and Gomez have erratic performance.
Relying entirely on captain Van Dijk becomes a risky gamble for Liverpool and Klopp. Of course, every plan comes with varying degrees of risk.
Rookie Szoboszlai.
In theory, the duo Endo and Stefan Bajcetic can take on the role of central defender when needed. A fire-fighting measure nothing more and nothing less.
In the full-back position, relying on the duo of Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold becomes a risky gamble for Liverpool and Klopp.
Time will tell us about Liverpool’s transfer plans. Numbers $184 million can work or become a risky gamble with The Kop.
Mr. Nguyen | 12:33 September 2, 2023
