Winners and losers from transfer deadline day: Tottenham signed how many players?
Winner: Liverpool
It was a relatively boring deadline day for the Reds because they did their business early in the window, but the fans won’t mind. Alisson, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri have all joined the club.
Keita’s deal was from last summer as RB Leipzig wanted to keep hold of him for another season, but his arrival counts as part of this season’s dealings. He’s the perfect signing for Liverpool because he suits Jurgen Klopp’s style. His range of abilities means he will fit into their pressing system, but he can also break up opposition attacks and has the creative tools to unlock an opposition defense. The effect he’ll have on the team is likely to be seismic.
Alisson addresses a key area for Liverpool because of the issues they’ve had over the past few seasons. Loris Karius made huge errors in their biggest game of last season, so it was obvious a replacement was needed. They have spent heavily on a talented goalkeeper who isn’t considered one of the world’s best. However, he has the potential to reach that level and he turns an area of weakness into an area of strength, which is pivotal if they want to mount a title challenge.
Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri are both intelligent acquisitions because the Brazilian is similar to his countryman in that he bolsters an important area while the Swiss international was available at a bargain price of £13 million. A defensive midfielder was needed in order to anchor the midfield, spread play and protect the defense. Fabinho does all that and more, so he should fit in well. Shaqiri provides depth for the front three as well as the ability to be a difference-maker.
Danny Ward and Emre Can are the main outgoings, but neither will be sorely missed. Those areas have been strengthened by Klopp. The window is still open for other leagues, but it appears as if they’ve kept Mohamed Salah and that’s a success in itself. Liverpool’s summer business has been efficient and turned them from top four candidates to title challengers, so it should be seen as a huge success.