Liverpool sorted out plenty of problems in the transfer market 12 months ago.
Badly in need of a revamp for their ageing midfield, the Reds brought in four new players, all of whom have done well.
The quartet signed weren’t necessarily all first-choice signings for Jurgen Klopp, though. Having seen an enormous bid accepted for him, it’s clear that Liverpool wanted Moises Caicedo.
But Caicedo rejected a move to Anfield and joined Chelsea, leaving the Reds scrambling. In the end, the signing of Wataru Endo felt like something of a last resort.
In the end, the Japan captain’s signing has worked out well. However, it would be wrong it suggest that Endo was Liverpool’s first, second or even third-choice. Before Caicedo, the Reds had been turned down by another midfielder.
Liverpool surely still looking at signing Andre Trindade
In need of a starting defensive midfielder to add the squad, Liverpool were heavily linked with a move for Fluminense’s Andre Trindade.
After the closure of the window it was reported that the Reds went as far as calling the Brazilian club to do a deal for Andre.
But with Flu going strong in the Copa Libertadores, both Andre and his club turned Liverpool down. Even if his release clause – standing at around £26m – had been paid, it doesn’t seem as though he’d have moved.
Things paid off for the 22-year-old in that Fluminense eventually won their first ever Libertadores in November. With a transfer window coming and going in the meantime though, Andre is still – surprisingly – at Fluminense.
All might not be lost between the Brazil international and Liverpool, however. Reports on Friday claimed that the Reds’ head scout Barry Hunter has recently been in South America to scout players for this summer.
With the focus said to be on Brazil in particular, it would seem logical that Andre would once again be in Liverpool’s crosshairs.
Andre can still be Liverpool’s long-term No.6
The main reason that Andre’s move to Liverpool could still be alive is that Arne Slot could do with a No.6 to hang his hat on.
Endo had a good season and surprised plenty of people in the process, but he is not the long-term answer.
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Alexis Mac Allister also did well when called upon, but the Argentine is far better in a more advanced role. He needs to be unleashed properly next season.
So, Liverpool still have the same need they did when they called Fluminense last summer. With the club from Rio de Janeiro now surely open to a sale, there are no more obstacles left.
If Hunter has liked what he’s seen from Andre during his recent trips to Brazil, we’d expect his link to be revived in the months ahead.