Cody Gakpo remained Liverpool’s only mid-season signing when the transfer window closed on Tuesday night, as Jurgen Klopp had repeatedly insisted would be the case throughout January.
As a result, the out-of-form Reds will have to continue with what they’ve already got at their disposal as they look to rescue their season. Out of both domestic cups, facing European champions Real Madrid in the Champions League round-of-16 later this month and down in ninth in the Premier League, 10 points off the top four, such a prospect is easier said than done.
Having spent the past 12 months overhauling their attack, a midfield revamp was always plotted for 2023. However, such plans remain on hold until the summer. Given Liverpool’s woes in their engine-room this season, such a stance has inevitably frustrated their fanbase.
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The Reds actually boast 11 senior midfielders following Stefan Bajcetic’s emergence in recent weeks, with Juventus loanee Arthur Melo currently the only one of them out injured. Yet what Liverpool boast in quantity, they are lacking somewhat in quality with the majority of Klopp’s options either past their best, out-of-contract next summer, or injury-prone.
As a result, some supporters have taken to the free agents list in desperation, hoping to find an out-of-contract solution to the Reds’ midfield struggles who could come straight into the Liverpool side now despite the transfer window now being closed. One name on lips is former Real Madrid playmaker Isco after the 30-year-old saw a move to Union Berlin fall through on deadline day, having cancelled his contract with Sevilla last month.
There are a number of reasons why the Spain international won’t be moving to Anfield anytime soon, despite being linked with the Reds on occasions in years gone by. Firstly, he’s a number 10 so hardly the profile of midfielder Liverpool’s midfield is actually in need of.
Then we have the fact his Sevilla contract was torn up after just six months, with the playmaker scoring just once from 19 appearances following his release from Real Madrid. Alluding to his poor form when addressing the Spaniard’s exit, manager Jorge Sampaoli said: "Isco is a great guy and I wish him all the best. A player who has great ability is leaving, but he did not meet the club's expectations."
And then we have the reason behind his Union Berlin move falling through. Ultimately, despite passing a medical and previously agreeing personal terms, his demands changed when it came to finalising the deal.
"We would have liked to see Isco with us, but we have our limits,” managing director Oliver Ruhnert confirmed. “These were exceeded today, contrary to previous agreements, which is why the transfer will not take place."
Of course, be it Isco or any other free agent, there is another very good reason why Liverpool won’t be strengthening their squad any further now the transfer window has closed. They don’t actually have any more space for new players.
The club named a 23-man Premier League squad for the first half of the season, with January signing Cody Gakpo taking that total up to 24. However, the Dutchman fills the final vacancy in the Reds squad due to Premier League home-grown rules.
While clubs are allowed to name a 25-man squad, made up of players over the age of 21, that quota is required to contain eight home-grown players. Liverpool only have seven such players so are only able to name a maximum squad of 24 as a result.
Therefore, if the Reds wished to sign a player after submitting their squad, they would need to qualify as home-grown or be under the age of 21 to be eligible to play during the second half of the season. A look at the current list of free agents and while there are players who tick either box, they ultimately lack the sufficient quality.
Admittedly this will be less of an issue for Liverpool come the summer, with a number of players out of contract, and Curtis Jones no longer counting as an Under-21s player so fills a home-grown berth. As a result, there will be a number of spaces for new signings.
But for the time being, the Reds squad is full. When Klopp submits his squad for the second half of the season now the transfer window is closed, Liverpool will have no room to add anyone else.
Liverpool’s Premier League squad
Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker, Adrian, Caoimhin Kelleher (HG).
Defenders: Joe Gomez (HG), Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas, Andy Robertson, Joel Matip, Nat Phillips (HG), Trent Alexander-Arnold (HG).
Midfielders: Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara, James Milner (HG), Naby Keita, Jordan Henderson (HG), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (HG), Arthur Melo.
Forwards: Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez.
Selected U21s players: Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Calvin Ramsay, Fabio Carvalho, Bobby Clark, Stefan Bajcetic, Kaide Gordon, Ben Doak.
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