Szoboszlai best, Endo worst: Ranking Liverpool’s summer signings so far

19 Oct 2023 18:08 BST
4 min read

Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Liverpool — © ProShots

Liverpool underwent a midfield overhaul during the 2023 summer transfer window, with Jurgen Klopp signing four players in that area of the pitch to replace five outgoings.

Jordan Henderson, Fabinho, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and James Milner all left Anfield this summer, with the latter three departing on a free transfer.

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Henderson (€14m) and Fabinho (€46.7m) fetched a transfer fee for the Reds, but Klopp’s side spent a vast amount more on new arrivals.

Dominik Szoboszlai (€70m), Alexis Mac Allister (€42m), Ryan Gravenberch (€40m) and Wataru Endo (€20m) all joined the club as part of their new midfield rebuild.

FootballTransfers have graded each of their four new summer signings based on their performances for Liverpool so far.

Dominik Szoboszlai: A

Dominik Szoboszlai, 22, is yet to provide an assist for Liverpool and the Hungarian has only scored two goals in his 11 Reds appearances, but his impact has been huge.

Mohamed Salah’s recent upturn in form is not a coincidence and Szoboszlai is the perfect midfielder for Klopp given his immense work-rate and pressing ability.

© ProShots - Dominik Szoboszlai for Hungary

The Hungary international has been a huge volume passer since his summer move from RB Leipzig and his take-on rate is also incredibly impressive. End product is the next step, but Szoboszlai has been a wholly positive signing.

Alexis Mac Allister: C

Alexis Mac Allister’s grading would likely be higher if he was being deployed in a more convenient position.

However, the Argentine has been used as Liverpool’s deepest midfield player and that role has exposed his weakness at defending large spaces without a Moises Caicedo-type player next to him.

He hasn’t been a disaster, but Mac Allister has not yet displayed his best form in a Liverpool shirt due to the current role he’s playing at Anfield.

Ryan Gravenberch: C

Ryan Gravenberch has shown glimpses of real promise at Liverpool and regular game time will likely see him return to the levels he displayed for Ajax.

The Dutchman has only racked up 71 Premier League minutes so far, which means his grading can’t be higher than a C, but he has impressed in the Europa League.

© ProShots - Ryan Gravenberch, Liverpool

He has one goal and one assist in the competition and his close control has been immaculate. Furthermore, the way Gravenberch receives the ball has really caught the eye.

Wataru Endo: C

Wataru Endo was the only defensive midfielder Liverpool signed this summer, and yet the Japan international has not yet established himself as their first-choice.

As a result, Mac Allister and Curtis Jones have been forced to play in the No.6 role in the Premier League, although Endo has been given minutes in the Europa League.

More to come from Endo, but he has not been the Fabinho replacement Liverpool so desperately wanted.