Liverpool missed out on a number of high profile signings as they sought to overhaul their midfield last summer.
The most disappointing failure in the market was undoubtedly losing out to Real Madrid for Jude Bellingham. Having spent months – perhaps even years – pursuing Bellingham, he went to Spain instead and has since been brilliant.
On the other end of the scale, one player who it looks like Liverpool might have done well to let go elsewhere is Mason Mount. Along with the £35m Alexis Mac Allister, Mount was said to be a top target for the Reds towards the start of the window.
In the end, it became clear that the 25-year-old had his heart set on a move to Manchester United. As Liverpool were forced to accept defeat and sign Dominik Szoboszlai instead, Mount joined United for £60m.
Even at the time, you’d have struggled to find a Liverpool fan who was disappointed with that state of affairs. The Reds themselves were reported to have felt that United were vastly overpaying for the Englishman. And eight months or so on, it’s clear that the Reds were probably right.
Considering that they then went on to sign Wataru Endo for £16m, Liverpool paid a total of £51m for the Japan captain and Mac Allister. Two players signed for less than Mount, and both have outperformed him comfortably this season.
Liverpool happy with summer business
It isn’t that we don’t rate Mount. We actually think he could have been a really smart signing for Klopp who would have no doubt gotten the best out of him.
But with injuries playing a big part, the former Chelsea youngster just hasn’t got going at Old Trafford.
To date, he’s only played 12 times for United, with a paltry four Premier League starts to his name. His sole goal contribution has been an assist in the Carabao Cup back in Septmeber.
With the Euros to come at the end of this season, Mount has fallen out of the England set-up and has work to do to get back in. In short, he’s so far been a poor signing.
By contrast, both Endo and Mac Allister have been key players for a Liverpool side sitting top of the Premier League table.
Mac Allister in particular has been impressive, showing off a versatility he wasn’t previously known for.
Meanwhile Endo has made the step up from middling Bundesliga player to Liverpool’s defensive midfield destroyer look decidedly easy. The 31-year-old has surprised just about everyone except perhaps Jurgen Klopp.
Although not playing in attacking roles for the most part, Mac Allister and Endo have got four goals and five assists between them. Again, much more than Mount despite his more forward-thinking tendencies.
Mount may still prove to have been a good addition for Erik ten Hag’s side over time. But in the here and now, we know who we’d rather have. Good job, Jorg Schmadtke!
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