Liverpool’s priority last summer was to rebuild their midfield and that resulted in the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch.
To owners whose model revolves around balancing the books and living within the club’s means, it was a significant outlay to deliver what they felt was needed for the team and squad.
By the end of the first window overseen by new sporting director Jorg Schmadtke, Liverpool had not failed to address any part of the pitch identified as requiring surgery.
They are contesting for four trophies this season and, despite a perception that Jurgen Klopp’s men still lack something, there seems no sense of internal alarm.
Things can change and Liverpool are always attentive to openings that may crop up — eg, Cody Gakpo last winter — but the forthcoming window is not anticipated to be particularly busy.
Joao Palhinha of Fulham has been linked but nothing is expected to emerge on this. Liverpool believe their midfield is in good shape and their normal profile would be different to that of the Portugal international, who is 28 and has a steep anticipated transfer fee.
When Liverpool found themselves trying to strengthen at No 6 and various options were explored, a call was made about the availability of Fluminense talent Andre Trindade. It did not work out for either party then and an alternative route was pursued, which removes him from the agenda now.
There are some more major decisions on the horizon as Joel Matip and Thiago reach the end of their contracts in June — at which point, pivotal figures Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold are due to enter the last 12 months of their terms at Anfield.
