It’s widely believed that Liverpool executed the best business out of the Premier League’s big six this summer, adding depth and variety to a squad that already included a Champions League final-reaching starting XI, while addressing its most obvious flaw by setting a previous world-record fee for a goalkeeper with a swoop for Alisson.

But where did the Reds fall a little short this summer and what will prove to be their biggest regret of the transfer window? Football FanCast’s expert writers give their verdicts below…

Ben Goodwin – Lack of depth

“While a fully fit Daniel Sturridge and the signing of Xherdan Shaqiri certainly adds to the depth in attack, I still think Liverpool’s squad is too thin to compete for multiple trophies. The Reds have lost Philippe Coutinho, Emre Can and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (for the season) in midfield, and added Naby Keita and Fabinho. While the quality of the new signings is unquestionable, they’re actually one midfielder lighter than last year, so the depth is worse than it already was. The same could be said in defence, with Ragnar Klavan’s departure meaning a couple of injuries now would devastate the back line.”

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James Beavis – No quality partner for Virgil van Dijk

“Liverpool’s brilliant summer and opening two results suggest that they didn’t get too much wrong in the transfer window, but if you are being picky you have to wonder whether they should have paid out for a quality centre-back partner for Virgil van Dijk. While Dejan Lovren and Joe Gomez have done well alongside the Dutchman, you often get the feeling that they are prone to errors, and the Reds perhaps should have identified a player that could come in, make an instant impact and ensure Jurgen Klopp’s men were even tighter at the back.”

Greg Potts – Failing to upgrade on Alberto Moreno

“By pretty much all accounts Liverpool had a very good transfer window and bought in the positions that they needed to strengthen, especially with Alisson coming in and seemingly making Loris Karius redundant. However, the one position that still lacks strength in depth is left-back, with Alberto Moreno somehow still at the club acting as back-up to Andrew Robertson. The Scotsman has made the position his own at Anfield since his move last summer and Moreno tends to leave hearts in mouths with his defending when he is brought into the side. Klopp would have been wise to invest in a more solid replacement for the games when Robertson needs to be rested as Liverpool hunt for a trophy to satisfy the fans”

Christy Malyan – Missing out on Nabil Fekir

“It’s still not completely clear why the Nabil Fekir deal with Lyon broke down, and if Liverpool’s recent pursuits of van Dijk and Naby Keita tell us anything it’s that Klopp will be more than willing to wait for his man – so don’t be too surprised if the move is revived in January. 

“But for the first half of the season at least, Liverpool have missed out on a prime Klopp target and a player who would have offered them so much extra depth and quality in the final third. Shaqiri is no doubt a decent alternative but Fekir feels like a player who would really take his game to the next level in this Liverpool team and potentially give the Reds the one thing they still lack in attack – someone who can replicate Roberto Firmino’s unconventional playmaking efforts at centre-forward. 

“Daniel Sturridge offers a nice contrast through his poacher’s instincts but Liverpool always struggle for the same functionality without Firmino. Fekir could have solved that problem and added to other departments – but now the Anfield outfit run the risk of a Premier League rival signing the hugely talented 25-year-old instead.” 

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