Liverpool have had a very eventful transfer window, making 4 signings of various ages as they look to bolster their squad ahead of the 2016/17 season. After a 4th placed finish in 2015/16, but no trophies, Dick 'Robin' Grayson has allowed Massimiliano Allegri to keep his position under the pretense of a title challenge and success in a cup competition. Allegri was given a transfer budget of £100 million to spend, and after selling Sadio Mane, Mario Balotelli, Dejan Lovren and Kolo Toure, set about securing 3 new players for Anfield - and a familiar face.
Sergio Ramos and Arturo Vidal are the mega-signings on their way to Liverpool, with the Spanish centre back costing a rumoured £60,000,000 after winning a bidding war with Manchester City for the Real player's services. Ramos will undoubtedly bolster the Red's defence, and is expected to line up next to either compatriot Inigo Martinez or Aleksandar Dragovic. He will also link up with ex-teammate James Rodriguez, who joined the squad in January. Arturo Vidal meanwhile cost £50 million, as confirmed by the club, and will link up with his new teammates in the coming days. The Chilean midfielder will bring an element of grunt to the Reds' midfield, lining up alongside ex-Juventus teammate Paul Pogba. However, the position of club captain Jordan Henderson looks in doubt in a midfield containing Coutinho, Firmino, James, Pogba and Vidal.
In a perhaps sentimental move, club legend Steven Gerrard has been brought back to the club, costing £3.2 million after the 37 year old spent just a season at MLS club LA Galaxy. Gerrard will operate in a coaching role as well, taking up a position in the Academy, coaching the Under-15s side as well as offering his services as a player when needed. Despite lacking the physical ability of his youth, Gerrard still has fantastic technical skills and will bring some experience and leadership to the Liverpool squad.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Liverpool announced the signing of 17 year old striker Jonjoe Baxendale for £4 million, proclaiming him as a future star for the club. The Leeds hierachy were very hesitant to let the hot prospect go, having already made his debut for the club in the 2015/16 season, but the lure of playing at Anfield was too much for Baxendale and the promising youngster will join the club's Under-21 squad. As a striker, he looks to possess exemplary technical ability and could develop into an AMC in the future.
With such a strong line-up for Allegri to use, containing the likes of James Rodriguez, Sergio Ramos, Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidal, Liverpool look like they could be mounting a serious challenge for silverware this year despite the scary strength of Messi and Ronaldo playing together at Manchester City. Liverpool will hope to have a far more successful season this year and this transfer window may just set it up.
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