Liverpool can breathe a sigh of relief that the transfer window is over – in Europe at least.
It’s been a hectic summer at Anfield with the Reds welcoming four players in the form of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch – who completed his move to Liverpool on deadline day.
The midfield was a problem area for Jurgen Klopp’s side during their disappointing 2022/23 campaign. There was knowledge that three of their engine room options would be leaving when their contracts expire in June. But a further curveball was thrown in the direction of the Reds when Saudi Arabia probed Liverpool’s midfield.
The midfield was a problem area for Jurgen Klopp’s side during their disappointing 2022/23 campaign. There was knowledge that three of their engine room options would be leaving when their contracts expire in June. But a further curveball was thrown in the direction of the Reds when Saudi Arabia probed Liverpool’s midfield.
Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were persuaded by the lure of the kingdom and forced further movement in the market from Liverpool.
The Reds have seemingly come to terms with the movement in the summer and now the focus is on their new midfield succeeding.
But with the first month of the season completed, how have the permanent departures fared?
Jordan Henderson
Jordan Henderson ended his 12-year association with Liverpool, relinquishing the captain’s armband, in order to reunite with Steven Gerrard.
The 33-year-old signed a three-year deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ettifaq, taking the number 10 shirt and becoming the captain of the Dammam side.
Henderson received an England call-up for their September internationals with Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate keeping his word that the lucrative move to the Middle East wouldn’t affect his chances of selection.
Ettifaq have picked up 10 points in their opening five games, winning three times and earning a draw against Al-Khaleej, losing last time out to Al-Hilal.
Henderson has played in three of those, missing the win over Al-Hazem. He picked up his first and second assists for the club in their win over Damac FC, moving up to fifth, before joining the England squad for the first time since his controversial move.
James Milner
James Milner’s Liverpool contract expired at the end of June. Despite Jurgen Klopp’s intentions of keeping the midfield stalwart in the ranks at Anfield, his contract was allowed to run down.
The 37-year-old is chasing the Premier League record for most appearances and he could break that record during his time with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Milner joins the Seagulls during a historic period for the club, under Roberto De Zerbi. They learned their Europa League fate on Friday as they were drawn in Group B against AEK Athens, Ajax and Marseille.
The midfielder has featured in all of Brighton’s first four encounters, winning their opening two before suffering a chastening defeat to West Ham United at the AMEX Stadium.
He dropped to the bench for their encounter with Newcastle United but was introduced as a substitute in their 3-1 win.
Fabinho
Fabinho was one of the surprise departures during the summer transfer window for Liverpool. The 29-year-old was heading into another year with the Reds, alongside some new faces in Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai. However, his pre-season was over before it really began as he was left out of the travelling party in the first part of the preparations, in Germany.
His omission from the gruelling sessions in Baden-Wurttemberg following interest from Al-Ittihad. He did eventually join the Saudi Pro League side for a fee in the region of £40m.
They made a strong start, winning their first four, keeping clean sheets in each of their encounters. However, their run came to an end in a seven-goal thriller against Al-Hilal with former Fulham striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scoring a hat-trick in a 4-3 triumph.
Naby Keita
A return to the Bundesliga was the next chapter in the career of Naby Keita. The 28-year-old suffered with recurring injuries during his time with Liverpool.
Like Milner, his contract expired and bid farewell at Anfield following the penultimate game of the season with Aston Villa. He completed his move to Werder Bremen, accepting a pay cut at the Weserstadion.
However, injury has hampered his Germany return after picking up a problem just one month into his move.
Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino finished his Liverpool career with a bang, scoring in his last two outings against Aston Villa and Southampton. He swapped Merseyside for Jeddah as he penned terms with Al-Ahli.
His career in Saudi Arabia got off to the perfect start, scoring twice in an 18-0 win during pre-season and the goalscoring form continued in their season opener. Firmino took the armband and lined-up alongside former Premier League rivals Allan Saint-Maximin and Riyad Mahrez.
The 31-year-old took home the match ball with his hat-trick seeing off Al Hazem in their curtain-raiser.
Ahli were unbeaten in the league with Firmino playing in four of their five Saudi Pro League outings. He turned provider for the only goal of the game during their 1-0 win over Al-Okhdood but he couldn’t inspire Ahli to avoid defeat as they were soundly beaten by Al-Fateh.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was the last of the departing free-agents from Liverpool to secure a move. He swapped the Premier League for the Turkish Super League, signing for Besiktas.
He has yet to start for Senol Gunes’ side but has made a brief 30-minute cameo in their league clash with Pendikspor. Besiktas secured qualification for the UEFA Conference League group stage, Oxlade-Chamberlian playing a combined five minutes in their win over Dynamo Kyiv.
They were drawn in Group D alongside Club Brugge, Bodo/Glimt and Lugano – who were resigned to the Conference League after being defeated by Liverpool’s Europa League opponents Union SG in the playoff.