Ryan Gravenberch’s purchase from Bayern Munich marked the end of Liverpool’s activities during the transfer window.
After following the 21-year-old’s progress while at Ajax, Jurgen Klopp was able to secure the midfielder, putting a stop to his protracted pursuit of him. In the Bundesliga, the Holland U21 international struggled, making just 34 appearances for Bayern, the majority of which were as substitutes.
As the shutters were up at the start of June, there was a sense of anticipation and excitement at Anfield going into the transfer window. Liverpool was tending to their wounds following a trying campaign that left them with some scars that needed healing.
The German manager’s midfield choices included three of the four players who were currently under contract, which was the main issue. James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keita all experienced the end of their tenures at Anfield.
Yet another issue was brought up by the unexpected departures of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho during their preseason training.
As part of the midfield reorganization at that point, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai were welcomed as new Liverpool players. As the first summer signing for somewhere about £45 million, Mac Allister made the move across England from Brighton & Hove Albion.
Szoboszlai’s pursuance wasn’t as easy to find. Only a few hours before the release clause’s expiration date, the Reds were compelled to exercise his £60 million release clause at RB Leipzig.
The Argentina and Hungary internationals have shown hints of their potential in the team’s first three games, which has excited Liverpool fans.
Liverpool was left without a defensive lynchpin after the departures of Henderson and Fabinho, two of the vital components in the Reds’ success domestically and in Europe under Klopp. The issues against Chelsea were evident because, despite a promising start, the standards quickly dropped and the Londoners’ engine room took control of the game.
Wataru Endo was unexpectedly acquired by Liverpool from VfB Stuttgart just before their matchup with AFC Bournemouth. Many fans had never heard of the Japanese captain, but his German teammates were raving about the 30-year-old.
He received FA registration and international clearance in time to play a brief cameo in Liverpool’s season-opening home game against the Cherries. Before Endo made his debut at Anfield, Mac Allister received a straight red card as they battled against Andoni Iraola’s team.
When Virgil van Dijk was dismissed in the thrilling victory over Newcastle United, Endo would once more be playing for Liverpool with a man disadvantage.
Gravenberch, a newcomer to Liverpool, will miss this Sunday’s game between Aston Villa and Liverpool because he registered after the registration deadline of noon. The Dutchman alluded to his delight in his first interview with the team about hearing You’ll Never Walk Alone reverberate across the L4 stadium.
Mac Allister chose the number 10, making him the first player since Sadio Mane to wear the squad number. The newcomers all claimed their numbers.
Since Keita’s departure, Szoboszlai has been the most recent player to wear the number eight jersey in its illustrious history.
After Fabinho left, Endo took over the three shirt and earned his dream number, which he wore at both the club and international levels.
As he did at Bayern Munich, Gravenberch continued the sentimental trend by selecting the number 38 as his first senior number with Ajax.
(8) Dominik Szoboszlai
(3) Wataru Endo
(38) Ryan Gravenberch
(10) Alexis MacAllister
The home jersey for Liverpool in the 2023–2024 season is a tribute to Bill Shankly and his final campaign as the Reds’ manager at Anfield. The Nike shirt has a vivid red design with contrasting white cuffs and color.
