While the spotlight on deadline day was firmly fixed on Arsenal’s record capture of Mezut Ozil and David Moyes’ last minute attempt to sign Marouane Fellaini, the early morning transfer dealings into Anfield appeared to fall under the radar.
Most people had barely drank their early morning coffee as three new signings were announced, allowing Liverpool to avoid the desperate scramble for players later on in the evening. There was no surprising late capture with a heavily inflated price tag (a.k.a Andy Carroll) this time around. Instead fans would have been encouraged by the signings of centre backs Mamadou Sakho and Tiago Ilori for a combined £25 million, as well as the acquisition of winger Victor Moses on loan from Chelsea.
Sakho in particular will be seen as a marquee signing for a club who failed to qualify for Europe last season. The 23 year old French international was previously targeted by Arsenal and Manchester United, but has recently slipped down the pecking order at PSG following the arrival of star defender Thiago Silvia. Despite this, fans have been saddened by Sakho’s exit, hoping that he would eventually gain the same legendary status as Paolo Maldini at AC Milan.
Brendan Rodgers has made no secret of his desire to sign a replacement for the retired Jamie Carragher, and in Sakho it looks like the club have found a physically robust defender who should adapt well to the Premier League. Ilori will most likely fall under the ‘one for the future’ tag, although his arrival has put Sebastian Coates’ place at Liverpool into doubt. The Uruguayan has been dogged by injuries so far this year, and may feel that with the increased competition in defence his future lies away from Anfield.
The signing of Moses has caused some bewilderment amongst supporters who have questioned why Chelsea would let one of their best young talents go on loan to a rival club. While Liverpool’s capacity to challenge the elite this season is open to debate, most fans will agree with the decision to sign the powerful winger who was central to Rafael Benitez’s Chelsea side last season. Moses’ arrival will also fill Liverpool’s right wing berth, allowing Rodgers to move Phillipe Coutinho into the central attacking role the Brazilian has craved for.
Liverpool’s earlier summer signings have already made an impact on a side currently sitting top of the Premier League. Simon Mignolet made a nervous start against Stoke on the opening day, but overall has had a positive start to his Liverpool career with three consecutive clean sheets in the league, while Kolo Toure has proved himself as a useful member of Rodgers’ squad. The jury is still out on Spanish signings Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas, although early signs have indicated that both will have to play an essential role in any success that Liverpool have this year.
This time last year Liverpool were a club in turmoil. Without a win until mid-October, The Reds were forced to settle for seventh place in the league below city rivals Everton. Fast forward twelve months and there are signs that the fluid playing style Rodgers has tried to implement may be finally coming to fruition. Although fans are conscious that success in the transfer market is paramount, results on the pitch will be where Rodgers and his team are ultimately judged. Liverpool’s ambitions for this season may not stretch beyond fourth place and Champions League qualification, but Rodgers will be well aware of expectations on him to succeed at Anfield.
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Let’s wait and see.