How the World Cup affected Liverpool’s transfer business in 2018 and what it tells us about this summer
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Liverpool supporters had hoped to have at least two or three new signings added to their squad by this stage of the summer, as Andoni Iraola aims to improve on a disappointing campaign.But despite the Reds clearly needing a number of additions, so far only Victor Munoz has been signed, along with Jeremy Jacquet, whose transfer was arranged in January.With no deals seemingly being worked on at all, and few rumours to get stuck into, it is clear that the World Cup has had a big impact on Liverpool‘s transfer dealings. However, when looking back at the window during the last summer World Cup, in 2018, it is clear that the Reds would have preferred to get their business done early.
Who are your favourite Liverpool players from Spain and Argentina as they meet in the World Cup final? There's plenty to choose from both nations 🏆 Liverpool did not make a signing after July 19th in 2018The summer of 2018 was a transformational one for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool as the Reds went from Champions League qualification contenders to serious Premier League title candidates.Alisson Becker, Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri all joined, with Alisson and Fabinho becoming especially key in winning the trophies that were to come.There was, of course, a World Cup to contend with eight years ago, but that did not stop Liverpool making some great signings, with only one deal being completed after the final in Moscow on July 15th.READ MORE: Why Liverpool fans should not worry about losing Bradley Barcola to ArsenalPhoto by Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty ImagesThat signing was Alisson, who arrived eight years ago to the day at the time of writing, on July 19th 2018.
The fact that Liverpool had already completed all of their summer business by this point of the last World Cup interrupted window will do nothing to alleviate current supporter anxiety.The Reds clearly knew what they wanted, and set about making it happen long before the end of the 2017/18 season.Keita had been signed a full year earlier, in August 2017, while Fabinho joined the day after Liverpool lost the 2018 Champions League final at the end of May.Aside from Alisson, Shaqiri was the only one to arrive during June and July, joining from Stoke six days before the goalkeeper, on July 13th.Liverpool will surely still be active this summerOnly worrying conclusions can be drawn from comparing the summers of 2018 and 2026. Maybe Andoni Iraola can get more out of him 🤔 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Maddie Meyer/FIFA There are gaps at right-back, at centre-back, in midfield and in attack, and if Liverpool do not sign anyone, they run the risk of leaving themselves as short as they ever have been all over the pitch.As a result, perhaps the summer of 2018 and the early deals done cannot tell us a great deal about what to expect two World Cups later.Indeed, it is not only Liverpool, the rest of the Premier League and European market appears to have been hampered by the tournament in USA, Canada and Mexico, although moves are slowly beginning to be made.Clearly, Liverpool’s latest piece of business this summer will arrive after July 19th, but supporters would love it if the next one could be just a day or two into the future.The Reds need to start getting a move on, and with the World Cup ending this Sunday, there can be no more excuses.