Liverpool have learned from big transfer mistake as summer targets become clearer

Liverpool had concluded all their incoming transfer business by June 19 last year.

When confirming the signing of Calvin Ramsay from Aberdeen for an initial £4m, the young Scot became the Reds’ third arrival of the summer after Darwin Nunez and Fabio Carvalho. And while injuries resulted in Arthur Melo being brought in on loan on transfer deadline day, Liverpool bosses were content with their initial stance despite the clamour for a new midfielder.

Club sources would say that the Reds had signed exactly what they felt they wanted and needed heading into the new season. In hindsight, that stance proved to be short-sighted.