We are just under two weeks away to the end of the summer transfer window for Liverpool.
Former sporting director Michael Edwards' return to Liverpool, coupled with the hiring of Richard Hughes, originally signalled to most supporters that the club was going to mean business this summer. While the spending habits of Fenway Sports Group were known well in advance of this window, there was still hope that a new sporting department would make things interesting this summer. That is far from reality.
Liverpool is on track to be the only club in Europe's top five leagues (England, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain) to not sign a player. That is an embarrassing fact, no matter how you slice it. The club does not need a massive overhaul, but not signing a single player over an entire summer transfer window is almost unheard of.
Just a couple of weeks ago, the Reds seemed to be in an advanced position to sign Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi, but that all came to a halt when the Spanish midfielder decided to reject the opportunity to move to England. The reports that followed the transfer fallout suggested that it was Zubimendi or nobody as the club's midfield target strategy, which looks to have been the case.
Multiple reports over the past week suggest that Liverpool will likely end the window without any incomings. Liverpool's interest in Giorgi Mamardashvili could formalize into a technical summer signing, but that would only be a pre-agreement for 2025.
Over this past weekend, David Ornstein reported via NBC Sports that "external pressure" from supporters or the media will not force the club into making any signings they are not 100% sure about. In other words, the club is not expected to make a transfer just because it is what is expected.
Regarding what is still to come in the window, the club is still focusing on multiple outgoings from the team, specifically the academy. Bobby Clark will complete his £9.9m to Pep Lijnders' RB Salzburg this week, with DaveOCKOP reporting that personal terms between the 19-year-old midfielder and the Austrian club have been agreed to. As such, a medical plus an announcement should come this week.
Clark may not be the only youngster leaving near the end of the window. Journalist David Lynch reports via his substack that winger Harvey Blair is allowed to leave the club permanently should a suitable offer arrive. According to Lynch, EFL Championship club Portsmouth are reportedly one of the sides in the picture for his signature. Blair missed most of last season with the U21s due to a knee injury, scoring five goals in 16 Premier League 2 matches the season before.
Scottish international Ben Doak's future at the club is also still in the air, with the club willing to let the player leave on either loan or permanently. Promoted clubs Southampton and Leicester City have been linked with Doak, although links have disappeared recently.
Doak may also fight for minutes under Arne Slot this season, as he tried to do last season under Jurgen Klopp before getting injured. This one could come down to the wire as the player and the club mull over the options presented in the time remaining.
The futures of Sepp van den Berg and Nat Phillips must also be decided. van den Berg was previously linked with Feyenoord this window, but like with Doak's interest, things have faltered. Liverpool seem to be stuck in on their £20m valuation of the Dutch defender, according to Fabrizio Romano.
Nat Phillips, who spent last season on loan with Celtic and Cardiff City, will likely have EFL Championship interest. There have been almost no concrete links to any club this summer for the 27-year-old defender, but surely, the club must feel it is time for him to move on.
England international Joe Gomez joins the list of defenders who could depart Anfield this summer. Gomez started 17 Premier League matches last season but now sees himself potentially out of the picture altogether with Slot at the helm. The English centre-back was left off Liverpool's travelling squad against Ipswich Town as the club and player make a decision on his future.
A host of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea and Newcastle United are being linked to Gomez per Paul Joyce of Times Sport. Newcastle United's pursuit of Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi will put their interest on the back burner for the time being but should a deal for Guehi fall through, Gomez could be next on the Magpies' shortlist.
Among all the potential departures is the question of what will happen to Caoimhin Kelleher. The Irish keeper will be the club's backup again this campaign after reportedly wanting to finally make his move as a number one in his career. If the pre-agreement for signing Giorgi Mamardashvili does come this window, that will be the nail in the coffin to Kelleher's hopes of ever becoming Liverpool's number one.
The Reds have just one more match before the summer window closes, a date with Brentford on August 25th at Anfield, which will be Arne Slot's first home match as Liverpool manager.