Liverpool, under the guidance of Pep Lijnders, has been on a quest to strengthen their midfield. One notable move in their plan was a hefty $125 million transfer bid for a player touted as the “new Fabinho.” However, this ambitious move was met with a high-profile rejection from Moisés Caicedo, indicating that their pursuit of talent wouldn’t come easy.
Despite the initial setback, Liverpool’s determination in the transfer market was evident. They made another attempt, only to be met with another refusal. Nevertheless, Lijnders’ strategic approach seemed to be bearing fruit, as they continued their search for the ideal midfield addition.
The summer transfer window saw Liverpool ultimately secure the services of Wataru End, a veteran player from Stuttgart. This acquisition came after Chelsea had outbid Liverpool’s club-record offer for Moisés Caicedo. It was a last-minute effort to reinforce their midfield ranks, and Liverpool seemed willing to go to great lengths to bolster their squad.
Surprisingly, Liverpool’s interest in Fabinho’s replacement didn’t stop there. According to AS, they made a significant push in the “last days of the market.” This time, they knocked on Newcastle’s door, offering $125 million (£100 million/€117 million) for Bruno Guimares. However, they received a resounding rejection. Guimares, with his skill set, seemed to align with Liverpool’s midfield requirements, but the opportunity had passed since he had already moved to Newcastle.
This pursuit of midfield talent highlighted the club’s determination to secure the right players, even after securing End. It appeared that they were open to exploring various options to enhance their midfield depth.
Pep Lijnders’ influence extended beyond the transfer market. He introduced a unique training ground innovation at the AXA Training Center—a set piece pitch. This innovative approach involved creating specific training setups to hone set-piece skills. One notable feature was the placement of a basketball net in strategic positions, encouraging players to shoot with precision during training sessions.
The results were evident on the pitch, with Liverpool scoring two goals from set pieces early in the season. This improvement was a testament to Lijnders’ inventive training methods and Liverpool’s commitment to staying at the forefront of tactical developments.
