Liverpool made a controversial transfer choice last summer in only signing one player. Some incredible development is proving them correct, however.
We expected a big summer for Liverpool. We thought there would be additions in defence, midfield and attack as they looked to get back on track after a difficult year. After all, injuries in defence necessitated a signing, Gini Wijnaldum’s exit did the same in midfield and their goalscoring struggles to start the year suggested a striker should arrive.
As it turned out, Liverpool signed just one player. Ibrahima Konate arrived to boost the defence and that was it – a controversial decision. That’s nothing against Konate, of course, but he didn’t seem like enough.
Instead, Liverpool would go into the campaign with the same group of squad players who didn’t deliver the previous season. And that seemed strange.
But as we hit the halfway point in the season, it does feel as though Liverpool were right in not signing many players. We’re witnessing some unprecedented development, for one.
Liverpool players move up a level
Only Konate is a new signing, so we expected much of the same from most of Liverpool’s squad. There were a couple of youngsters, like Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones, who were on an upward trend, though.
Injuries limited both of those two, however, and they haven’t had big roles. Instead, we’re seeing remarkable development from other squad players.
Naby Keita, for instance, has only shown glimpses of what he can do over the first few years of his Liverpool career. Right now, though, he’s playing the best football of his time here. He suddenly looks like an elite midfield option and if he stays injury-free, Liverpool have another star.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, too, is playing incredibly well. He got an opportunity after a few midfield injuries and just hasn’t looked back. Klopp believes this is the best he’s been for Liverpool.
Neither get proper opportunities if Liverpool make a midfield signing, though. The Reds took a chance on them and it’s paying off.
And you can see the same at full-back. Kostas Tsimikas barely got a look-in last season but right now he looks like one of the Premier League’s best left-backs. Neco Williams has gone from a fading talent to someone who looks very special – his future has never looked brighter.
Then there’s Takumi Minamino up top. Liverpool rarely give the Japan international chances but he’s taking them in the Carabao Cup. His last-gasp equaliser against Leicester City showed he can deliver goals against top sides – we think Minamino might just save his Liverpool career.
Liverpool took a chance
Liverpool took a real chance this summer by only signing Konate. The squad needed better players in order to compete across all competitions.
Development from these five – and arguably others – has made the squad look far, far deeper than it did, however. And all without spending a penny. While we’re still hoping that money is saved for a big transfer down the line, Liverpool did solve their depth problem.
And they did it for nothing.
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