With fans growing anxious at a lack of transfer activity, Aaron Cutler looks back on how Liverpool have operated in previous summer windows and what we can expect to happen next.
Liverpool return for pre-season proper with a growing number of supporters concerned at the current make-up of the squad.
Across football, it’s generally accepted that World Cups disrupt transfer dealings. While everyone except Spurs appears to have got that memo, the amount of work required at Anfield demands a quickening of the pace – and fast.
Never mind quality; the Reds are currently down on pure numbers. Indeed, since the final day of last season, we have seen two of our first-choice back four depart, along with the primary source of goals and assists across the past decade.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, April 7, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak (L) and Curtis Jones during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final 1st Leg match between Paris Saint-Germain FC and Liverpool FC. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Elsewhere, speculation continues to build around the future of Curtis Jones – who appears to want out – while Conor Bradley and Hugo Ekitike are long-term absentees.
Throw in uncertainty around where Richard Hughes will be working come September, Michael Edwards‘ resignation, plus the public courting and failure to woo Yan Diomande – and it’s not unreasonable to say things appear somewhat chaotic.
Incoming boss Andoni Iraola will naturally want to run the rule over his new charges but will be hoping further reinforcements follow the arrival of Victor Munoz and Jeremy Jacquet (who signed a pre-contract in January).
But what does history tell us about Liverpool’s summer dealings, and are we right to be nervous about a seeming lack of activity?
Liverpool’s summer transfer trends since 2002
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Thursday, July 10, 2003: Liverpool's manager Gerard Houllier with his new signings (L-R) Florent-Sinama Pongolle, Harry Kewell, Anthony Le Tallec and Steve Finnan at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Transfer windows as we know them were introduced back in 2002.
Between then and the end of last season, the Reds had signed 140 first-team players across 24 different summers.
The old adage says it’s best to get your business done early and have all new signings in the building come the first day of pre-season. Of course, that’s easier said than done, and the stats reveal as much.
Since 2002, the club – under different ownerships – have only managed to complete 50% of summer signings before their first friendly game.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jurgen Klopp Signs A Contract Extension and chats with Sporting Director Michael Edwards and Mike Gordon FSG President and Liverpool F.C owner at Melwood Training Ground on December 13, 2019 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Finalising squads before the big kick-off itself has also proven a real challenge. Indeed, just 70% of deals have been completed by the first competitive fixtures across that 24-year period, meaning an average of 30% of Liverpool transfers happen ‘late’.
Those numbers are an indication of how complex the market can prove, and with players such as Elliot Anderson commanding fees of £116 million, that’s unlikely to change.
Given that context, fans may want to afford Hughes the benefit of the doubt, but in the world of social media patience is in short supply.
How new Liverpool managers approach their first transfer window
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - WEDNESDAY AUGUST 25th 2004: Liverpool's manager Rafael Benitez poses with his two new Spanish signings Luis Garcia (l) and Xabi Alonso (r) at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Revisiting Liverpool managers’ maiden summers at the helm also makes for interesting reading.
Newly appointed coaches clearly like time to cast their eye over existing squads before deciding who is and isn’t suitable for their respective playing styles.
Back in 2004, Rafa Benitez ‘signed’ five players between July and August, but only one of those was present for the first day of pre-season. Ironically, that was Djibril Cisse, whose signature was secured prior to the Spaniard’s appointment.
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“I leave believing Liverpool is in a strong position, with outstanding people, a clear direction and the foundations in place for continued success.”
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Michael EdwardsAfter announcing resignation from role as FSG’s CEO of Football
It was a similar story at the beginning of Roy Hodgson’s ill-fated reign. That summer, Liverpool somehow managed to secure the services of 10 new players despite being in financial peril.
Less than half of those (four), however, had been unveiled by the time we faced Grasshoppers in an opening friendly.
Six signings joined up after the first competitive game of that season, albeit a Europa League qualifier necessitated an earlier kick-off.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Wednesday, August 3, 2011: Liverpool's manager Kenny Dalglish with his latest signings (left to right) Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, goalkeeper Alexander Doni and Stewart Downing as they pose for photographers following a press conference at the club's Melwood Training Ground. (Pic by Propaganda)
After Sir Kenny Dalglish rode to the rescue at the start of 2011, FSG decided to back him heavily the following summer.
They did so to the tune of £52 million and seven signings. Again though, less than half (two) were at Melwood for the start of pre-season, and two were sealed on the penultimate and final days of the window in the shape of Sebastian Coates and Craig Bellamy, respectively.
A pattern is clearly emerging, and it’s one that continued under Brendan Rodgers.
His was a controversial first window in charge and one that ended with John W. Henry issuing a statement explaining the absence of a new striker. It was the first of several ‘apologies’ to come out of Boston.
Even so, five players were eventually signed, but four of those came through the door after the Reds had entered into competitive action.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 14, 2016: Liverpool's Sadio Mane runs to manager Jürgen Klopp to celebrate scoring the fourth goal against Arsenal during the FA Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Fast-forward to the first full season under Jurgen Klopp, and there was a noticeable shift in approach.
Indeed, of the six players signed in summer 2016, all had been unveiled before the big kick-off against Arsenal on August 14. That was only the third time that had happened since transfer windows were introduced in England.
And it’s surely no surprise that, domestically at least, Klopp enjoyed the best debut season of all those managers up to that point – securing Champions League qualification for only the second time in seven years.
Finally, Federico Chiesa was famously the only arrival during Arne Slot’s first transfer window. He signed late – with one day to spare – but contributed little during a title-winning campaign.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, March 16, 2025: Liverpool's Federico Chiesa (L) and head coach Arne Slot during the Football League Cup Final match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Wembley Stadium. Newcastle United won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Debut Summer Transfer Stats (Since 2002)
• 35% of signings arrive before a new manager’s first pre-season.
• 40% of first-summer recruits sign late in the window.
• 60% of late-window signings fail to impress in their first 12 months.
So, what can we glean from those debut summers?
Well, according to the stats, only 35% of signings are in the door come the start of a new manager’s first pre-season; 60% percent of arrivals have typically been unveiled by the first competitive game, but 40% became Reds late in the window.
Notably, that 40% is higher than Liverpool’s overall average since 2002 (30%), and points to new managers assessing squads during those first few weeks in post before sanctioning deals.
Does completing early transfer business lead to a successful season?
Liverpool players and staff engaging wi during the Liverpool trophy parade on May 29, 2022 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
It’s also worth assessing what the data looks like across ‘successful’ seasons. For the purpose of this analysis, we’re including campaigns in which Liverpool either won the league or finished second.
Combined, 43% of deals were concluded by the first friendlies across those years – up from the 35% average for managers in their first season.
Sixty-five percent of deals were also tied up before any competitive action – up 5% on the average for managers in their first season.
Such data seemingly highlights a benefit to ‘getting ahead’.
The success rate of Liverpool’s late summer transfer signings
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Finally, the decision makers at Liverpool will surely consider how many players have joined late in the summer window and gone on to enjoy a successful first term.
Alexander Isak is perhaps the best (or should that be worst?) example of someone whose entire campaign was disrupted due to a delayed arrival.
But how have others fared?
Factoring in the likes of appearances, impact and value for money, there is a real argument to say that 60% of signings that join Liverpool after the season has got underway fail to impress during that maiden campaign.
Indeed, of the 140 players signed during summer transfer windows, 42 of them have signed ‘late’.
Liverpool, England - Saturday, September 1, 2007: Liverpool's Xabi Alonso celebrates scoring the fourth goal against Derby County during the Premiership match at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
While several have got up to speed quickly and contributed positively – Xabi Alonso, Luis Garcia, Peter Crouch and Diogo Jota among them – far more have toiled.
In fact, it’s not unreasonable to say 25 of those 42 have underwhelmed in their first 12 months. Names include Antonio Nunez, Christian Poulsen, Oussama Assaidi, Victor Moses and Mario Balotelli.
Some, like Ryan Gravenberch, stay the course and eventually prove their worth, but many fail to recover from a slow start. Therein lies the value of a full pre-season.
A legacy-defining transfer window at Liverpool
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, May 9, 2026: Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Chelsea FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Evidently, transfer windows are a challenge and extremely nuanced.
The aforementioned numbers suggest it’s rare for Liverpool to get business done early and that it takes longer still in summers where a new manager is announced.
That pattern, coupled with the ongoing distraction of the World Cup, should allay fears.
Yet those same numbers tell us the Reds historically fare best on the rare occasions they move early, and that late arrivals find it tougher to hit the ground running.
All this and more will be considered by those heading up transfer proceedings. No matter where their own futures lie, they will be under no illusions as to the surgery required on this squad in the coming weeks.
Indeed, their legacies depend on it.
The takeaway for fans? Don’t be worried just yet, but expect movement soon.