In the summer of 2023, Liverpool underwent a significant overhaul of their midfield, spending around £150m to bring in Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Wataru Endo. This transformative period followed a disappointing campaign where Jurgen Klopp’s side fell short of Champions League qualification for the first time in eight years.

As the dust settled on a chaotic 4-4 draw with Southampton on the final day of the season, Klopp wasted no time signaling the need for a squad rebuild. Speaking shortly after the game, Klopp acknowledged the necessity of a “busy summer” to address glaring weaknesses in his team, particularly in midfield.

A Midfield in Decline
Liverpool’s midfield had become a major concern, with injuries and aging players slowing the team’s once-famous intensity. Long-standing stalwarts like Fabinho, Jordan Henderson, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and Naby Keïta all departed that summer, leaving significant gaps to fill. The need for fresh talent was clear, and the club cast a wide net in search of reinforcements.

Liverpool explored deals for players like Conor Gallagher, Mason Mount, Matheus Nunes, Khephren Thuram, and Manu Koné. However, negotiations with Southampton for Romeo Lavia and Brighton for Moisés Caicedo fell through, forcing the club to adapt its approach.

The Arrival of Alexis Mac Allister
The first domino to fall was Alexis Mac Allister. Signed for a modest £35m due to a release clause in his Brighton contract, the World Cup winner was officially unveiled on June 8. Liverpool’s recruitment team had been tracking the Argentine midfielder even before his breakout performances in Qatar, where he helped guide Argentina to glory.

Despite some initial doubts about his readiness for elite-level football, Mac Allister’s performances at Brighton—where he played a pivotal role in securing a top-six Premier League finish—cemented his place on Liverpool’s radar. The club’s long-standing relationship with his agent, Juan Gemili, dating back to the signing of Philippe Coutinho in 2013, smoothed negotiations.

Mac Allister’s versatility and experience—he had amassed nearly 160 career appearances by the summer of 2023—made him a perfect fit for Liverpool’s system. His signing was hailed as a bargain compared to his Argentina teammate Enzo Fernández, who had joined Chelsea for £105m just months earlier.

Dominik Szoboszlai: A Last-Minute Coup
While Mac Allister’s move had been months in the making, the acquisition of Dominik Szoboszlai was more opportunistic. The Hungarian midfielder had a £60m release clause in his RB Leipzig contract that was set to expire on June 30, leaving Liverpool with a narrow window to act.

Initially, Liverpool had considered signing Mason Mount, but Chelsea’s £60m valuation proved prohibitive. Szoboszlai, with his age, versatility, and potential, emerged as a more attractive option. Klopp received glowing endorsements about Szoboszlai’s character and talent, including input from Erling Haaland, a close friend of the player.

After swift negotiations with Szoboszlai’s representatives, Liverpool triggered the release clause just before the deadline, securing his services. The midfielder arrived in Merseyside ready to embrace his new club, even learning the words to “You’ll Never Walk Alone” during his flight to Liverpool.

The Final Pieces: Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo
With the additions of Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, Liverpool turned their attention to completing their midfield rebuild. Ryan Gravenberch, a highly-rated young midfielder from Bayern Munich, was brought in to add depth and potential for the future. Meanwhile, the experienced Wataru Endo arrived to provide leadership and defensive stability in the middle of the park.

Reflecting on the Summer
Liverpool’s summer rebuild marked a turning point, addressing the issues that had plagued the team during the 2022/23 season. While some questioned the high price tags—Jörg Schmadtke, Liverpool’s short-term sporting director, initially felt £60m for Szoboszlai was excessive—those doubts quickly faded as the new signings made an immediate impact.

By the end of the transfer window, Liverpool had successfully revitalized their midfield, blending youthful promise with seasoned quality. The £150m overhaul not only strengthened the squad but also reignited hopes of a return to the top of English and European football.

Chelsea’s chase for Argentine forward Alejandro Garnacho has taken a dramatic turn, with Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim declining to clarify the player’s future amid ongoing speculation.

The 20-year-old attacker has become a central figure in transfer rumors as the January window draws to a close. Reports suggest United may consider a lucrative sale of the academy graduate, a move that would provide a significant financial boost under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Chelsea, long linked with Garnacho, are reportedly stepping up their interest, having already shown an appetite for signing United’s young talents, including Kobbie Mainoo. Fresh reports emerged Thursday indicating the Blues are preparing a formal bid for the dynamic winger.

Garnacho delivered an electric performance in United’s dramatic Europa League clash against Rangers on Thursday. Back in the starting XI, he was United’s most dangerous player during the first half and nearly scored in the second, hitting the post from close range.

Following United’s nail-biting 2-1 victory—secured by Bruno Fernandes’ stoppage-time volley—Amorim sidestepped questions about Garnacho’s future. Speaking to reporters after the match, he said, “I don’t know what will happen. Right now, we are focusing on the games. Until the window closes, anything is possible.”

The Portuguese manager highlighted Garnacho’s contributions and growth, adding, “He’s improving in all aspects—positioning, recovery, and his understanding of the game. He showed frustration at times, but that’s because he demands more of himself, which is a good sign. I think he can reach even greater levels.”

With back-to-back away games against Fulham in the Premier League and FCSB in the Europa League coming up, Garnacho might already have played his final match at Old Trafford. Amorim was non-committal when pressed on the possibility, reiterating, “He’s a Manchester United player, and today he was vital for us. Let’s see what happens in the coming days.”

United’s financial situation has added fuel to the speculation. The club is rumored to be considering sales to fund new signings, including talks with Serie A club Lecce over left-back Patrick Dorgu. Marcus Rashford’s continued absence from the matchday squad has further stoked rumors of his potential departure, while Tyrell Malacia, another name floated for a January exit, came on as a second-half substitute against Rangers after Leny Yoro sustained an injury.

As deadline day approaches, the question of whether Garnacho will remain at United or become Chelsea’s newest recruit hangs in the balance.

Declan Rice has admitted feeling frustrated with his performance despite scoring his first-ever Champions League goal during Arsenal’s dominant 3-0 victory over Dinamo Zagreb.

The Gunners’ emphatic win at the Emirates Stadium puts them in prime position to secure a spot in the last 16 of the competition, bypassing the need for additional play-off fixtures next month. Rice opened the scoring in just the second minute of the game, with Kai Havertz and captain Martin Ødegaard adding second-half goals to seal the triumph.

While the England international celebrated his landmark goal, he was critical of a missed opportunity later in the match, where he failed to convert a header following a pinpoint cross from substitute Ethan Nwaneri.

Rice Reflects on Missed Chances

Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Rice expressed his disappointment: “Honestly, I’m so annoyed. I had a similar chance against Manchester United [in the FA Cup], and I missed that one too. It’s frustrating because I’m getting into the right positions when I play as an eight, but I need to be more clinical.

“Scoring in the first half was great, but I really should have added a second. Still, to get my first Champions League goal feels amazing—it’s taken two seasons, but I’m delighted. Hopefully, there are plenty more to come.”

Arteta’s Tactical Demands on Midfielders

Rice also shed light on manager Mikel Arteta’s emphasis on shared goal contributions, particularly from the midfield, amid Arsenal’s ongoing search for a striker ahead of the January transfer window.

“The manager has been pushing us hard to make those late runs into the box,” Rice revealed. “He’s told us how important it is for midfielders to chip in with goals—it can make such a difference. It’s about covering that extra five or ten yards to be in the right place at the right time.

“Martin [Ødegaard] showed that perfectly at the end of the game, and I managed it for the header. It’s something we all need to keep working on, but it’s great to see everyone contributing.”

A Positive Champions League Campaign

Arsenal’s convincing win further solidifies what has been a strong Champions League campaign. Reflecting on the team’s performance, Rice added: “This was an important win for us. We’ve been really positive throughout this campaign, and now there’s just one more group-stage match to go. Hopefully, we can end it with another victory.”

As speculation continues about Arsenal’s plans to strengthen their attacking lineup in the upcoming transfer window, Arteta will undoubtedly be pleased to see his midfielders stepping up to share the scoring load. For Rice, the goal against Dinamo Zagreb was a step forward—but he’s determined to keep improving his finishing touch in the weeks to come.