Must do better: Verdict on first Liverpool transfer window under Richard Hughes

Usually, you have to wait until the end of the season to judge a summer transfer window. Over the past couple of years, the transfer window winners have ultimately turned out to be losers in the grand scheme of things.

It’s a little different at Liverpool this time around though. The 2024 summer window can be assessed right now. It was never going to be easy for the incoming Richard Hughes. There was a lot of upheaval behind the scenes, contracts with key players had been neglected and the squad needed just one or two reinforcements to be in a good position.

Earlier in the summer, reports seemed to indicate that contract renewals would take priority with Trent Alexander-Arnold being top of the list. This approach was understandable. Heading into pre-season, the Reds were set to lose Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah for nothing at the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

Read more: Salah drops 'last season' bombshell

The club’s vice-captain, skipper and main man could all depart for free with their contracts coming to an end. Prioritising them wasn’t exactly a bad idea. Some might argue this should’ve been sorted last summer, maybe even before then, but it has been complicated.

Julian Ward, the man who replaced Michael Edwards as Sporting Director, resigned early in the 2022/23 campaign. Jörg Schmadtke, his successor, only arrived on an interim basis.

Then there was the whole Jurgen Klopp announcing his decision in January to leave Anfield at the end of the season.

Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Salah would’ve no doubt been wary of putting pen to paper on a new deal until they knew what was going on at the club. Similarly, the club would’ve been hesitant to start talks over a new contract without knowing what was going on.

While this can’t be used an as excuse for the Reds finding themselves in this current predicament, it is a valid reason.

SALAH SITUATION CAUSING ANGST

The brief this summer was seemingly to maintain this squad before potentially adding to it. Yet here we are in September and both Van Dijk and Salah have revealed the club are yet to be in contact with them with regards to extending their time on Merseyside.

Following the 3-0 demolition of Manchester United at Old Trafford, Salah was pretty blunt about his situation.

"I was coming to the game, I was saying, 'look, it could be the last time'," he told Sky Sports.

"Nobody in the club talked to me yet about contracts so I was just like, 'OK, I play my last season and see at the end of the season'.

"I feel I am free to play football – we will see what happens next year.”

LIVERPOOL ARE IN A PREDICAMENT

Earlier last month, Van Dijk said similar while Alexander-Arnold wasn’t going to be drawn into contract talks.

Liverpool are 0/3 with new contracts. With the focus being on the aforementioned trio, the fact Ibrahima Konate, Andrew Robertson and Caoimhin Kelleher are all into the final two years of their deals has been overlooked.

The Reds find themselves in quite a predicament.

Furthermore, during the transfer window, they failed to plug gaps in their squad. Federico Chiesa has the potential to be a genius buy, and his arrival certainly adds depth to the attacking third, but that transfer should’ve been a bonus one rather than the only one.

Giorgi Mamardashivili is a clever signing but he’s not going to immediately have an impact on the team. Having failed to sign Martin Zubimendi, the Reds decided not to move for a number six despite Arne Slot earmarking that position as one that needed to be improved. Liverpool also decided to not replace Joel Matip while the left-back situation remains a bit of a question mark.

CONCERNS OVER ROBERTSON

Robertson barely played during pre-season but replaced Kostas Tsimikas in the starting XI for the Premier League opener against Ipswich Town.

The Scotland captain is still finding his form but was favoured over Tsimikas which is a clear indication that this area could’ve been reinforced this summer.

Liverpool sold well in the latest window and that, in isolation, should be praised. They also bought well. The issue, of course, is that they didn’t do enough in the transfer market while failing to tie down key players to new contracts.

The positive start to the season should paper over these cracks. Slot’s side are three from three in the Premier League, Ryan Gravenberch is thriving as the deepest midfielder, and Van Dijk, Alexander-Arnold and Salah have all been brilliant.

Short-term, things seem okay. But long term, this summer could have quite an impact on the club. Hughes went 0/3 in contracts and failed to land the club’s top target. This can’t be a sign of things to come for the Reds.

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