Liverpool’s summer transfer window was not without its turbulence, but in hindsight, the mass midfield exodus and subsequent influx has reshaped and restored a side in decline. 

Liverpool’s summer transfer window was not without its turbulence, but in hindsight, the mass midfield exodus and subsequent influx has reshaped and restored a side in decline.

Last season, the Reds languished and looked pitiful in the face of some heavy adversity, and the fifth-placed Premier League finish was an apt reflection of a miserable campaign.

 

Jurgen Klopp even admitted that he could face the sack in April should the terrible form seep into the 2023/24 season, having just slumped to a 4-1 defeat against Manchester City; it would have been an ignominious end to an illustrious reign.

 

Out with the old, in with the new – or so it goes. The likes of Jordan Henderson, James Milner and Fabinho were shown the door and an exciting new clutch of midfield talent has thus far pumped vitality and quality into the squad to uphold Klopp’s system.

The impressive start to the campaign hints at prosperity once again, with the last residual vestiges of enervation wiped away, but it could have been that last term’s issues were avoided entirely had transfer business in 2022 not been so myopic.

 

Arthur Melo was the sole midfield signing – a panic buy, on loan, late into the window – despite obvious signs of wear and tear, and the Brazilian flopped big time, playing just 13 minutes of action.

 

Klopp and co wanted the perfect addition, and after the pursuit of Aurelien Tchouameni ended fruitless, with the Frenchman joining Real Madrid in a €100m (£85m) transfer, an unadventurous end to the market set the Anfield side up for failure.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side, however, always looked to have the lead in the race and indeed triumphed, compounding Liverpool’s upset after defeating them in the Champions League final.

Now, according to Mundo Deportivo, Anfield remain suitors for the 28-cap France international as Arsenal’s budding interest grows, though any move would probably be unlikely in the immediate future.

 

Regardless, for all Liverpool’s success in rebuilding the midfield recently, a specialist No. 6 is still required, with Wataru Endo not considered the long-term, first-choice solution – Tchouameni, it seems, would be the dream option.

 

The stats that show Tchouameni would be a good signing for Liverpool

 

Having joined the Santiago Bernabeu side for such an expensive fee, Tchouameni perhaps felt the weight of a move to arguably the world’s most prestigious club and didn’t quite

Clearly not quite entrusted with a central role in the biggest moments, Tchouameni has made the improvements to his craft this season and now appears indispensable.

 

Indeed, in La Liga this term – as per Sofascore – the holding midfielder has completed 93% of his passes, made 1.7 tackles and 3.6 ball recoveries per game and won an incredible 80% of his dribbles and 70% of his duels – Manchester City’s Rodri, in comparison, has won 63% of his duels in the Premier League this season.