Fourth signing in midfield, a central defender: the realistic end of the transfer window for Liverpool

Liverpool are looking for a fourth signing this summer, but he may not be the only transfer market before the close of the period on 1 September

Tick tock the countdown therefore continues towards the end of a transfer window which has already seen significant changes in the Liverpool squad.

A number of old servants have departed, with captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho following free agents James Milner, Roberto Firmino, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain through the exit door, while mercenary Arthur Melo has been sent back to Juventus.

Liverpool initially moved quickly to overhaul their midfield with Argentina’s £35m World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister and £60m Hungary’s skipper Dominik Szoboszlai both recruited ahead of the start of the pre-season. season.

However, the search for a proven defensive midfielder proved far more complicated, with Chelsea thwarting attempts to sign both Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia before the Reds made a surprise dive last Friday to sign 30-year-old Japan international Wataru Endo from Stuttgart. for £16.25 million. While Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has hinted that doesn’t mean there’s nearly £95m left in the coffers after the £111m bid for Caicedo failed, he there is no doubt that there are still significant funds for transfers. And with the 11 p.m. deadline on Friday, the Reds may not be done with their business yet.

One player whose future will be settled is Nat Phillips. The centre-back didn’t feature at all during pre-season – despite traveling to Germany for a training camp – and didn’t feature in the squad for the opening games of the season against Chelsea and Bournemouth.

The 26-year-old has played just eight games for the Reds in the past two seasons – including just one as a Premier League starter – with champions Leeds United linked with a move for him all summer.

There is a group of Academy players who could go on loan, including James Norris, Melkamu Frauendorf and Billy Koumetio. Tyler Morton’s situation is more complicated as the midfielder has yet to return to training after his one-season spell at Blackburn Rovers was cut short by a broken foot last season. Liverpool have no plans to let Bobby Clark or Ben Doak go this summer.

However, what worries fans the most is whether Liverpool can further strengthen their squad in the first team. And Klopp’s comments in the wake of Endo’s arrival suggest the defensive midfielder may not be the latest signing. “If we have the right players we will take a look,” the Reds boss said on Friday. “We are always in the market to observe and see what is happening and what we can do. We are definitely trying to strengthen the squad and that’s it.”

Another midfielder is not yet certain, but it is a possibility, either a number six or an all-rounder in the engine room. Liverpool remain a big admirer of Bayern Munich’s Ryan Gravenberch. The 21-year-old is frustrated after starting just six games since moving to the Bundesliga last summer.

Crystal Palace Mali international Cheick Doucour is also under scrutiny, although the Reds have so far shown no intention of expressing any concrete interest. Liverpool are also eyeing Brazilian international Andre but the 23-year-old will almost certainly stay with Fluminense as long as he remains in the Copa Libertadores, the next round of which is played on deadline day.

Klopp admitted in May that Liverpool were exploring the possibility of signing a centre-back this summer, and that he could now become the priority. While not a pressing concern, the reality is that both Virgil van Dijk and Joel Matip are now in their 30s – the latter in the final year of his current contract – and Joe Gomez has been battling for consistent form.

With a left centre-back as the ideal signing, Levi Colwill was a target until the England Under-21 international signed a new contract with Chelsea, although Micky van de Ven – now at Tottenham Hotspur – has never been a serious option despite strong ties. rather at the window. Perr Schuurs, the 23-year-old Turin international, has long been admired by Liverpool.