Liverpool transfer window winners & losers as £37m spent on Klopp's "great day"

01 February 2023 , 07:00

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Jurgen Klopp's side only brought in Cody Gakpo in this window (Image: Getty Images)

The January transfer window came and went with Liverpool's only bit of business actually occurring in the days beforehand.

It was late on Boxing Day, and after a 3-1 win over Aston Villa, that news broke of the impending arrival of Cody Gakpo, the forward who starred for the Netherlands at the World Cup and who offered an even greater depth to Jurgen Klopp's choice in attack.

Back then things were more optimistic, but a January featuring more defeats and more injuries and left the Reds clinging onto hopes of a top four finish this season, and fans pining for new faces in the squad.

No-one else followed Gakpo through the window and into the AXA Training Centre at Kirkby, leaving plenty of questions about the make-up of Liverpool's squad both now and in the months to come, with Real Madrid waiting on the horizon in the Champions League in three weeks' time.

Here are the Reds' winners and losers of a quiet transfer window.

Klopp's dream Liverpool line up as last-gasp January transfers rejected

Winner: Cody Gakpo

The forward joined the Reds from PSV Eindhoven for an initial £37m (PA)

As Klopp would himself later admit, there have been easier times to join Liverpool in the not-so-distant past, but the Dutchman has got his move to the Premier League.

Those who saw him play at the World Cup might have been expecting a goalscorer given his three strikes in three games in the group stages, and while he'll certainly be desperate to get off the mark for his new club as they continue to struggle, it is already clear that he looked destined for a different, deeper role.

Indeed, it could well be that the signing of Gakpo signals an end to Roberto Firmino's time at Liverpool, with the Brazilian's contract up in the summer.

Klopp called it "a great day" when the Dutchman arrived, and he looks to be key to the rebuild.

Loser: Nat Phillips

Nat Phillips had been expected to leave in this window (Getty Images)

It seemed like this would finally be the time that Phillips would be allowed to leave Liverpool in order to establish a career as a starter elsewhere, with Turkish giants Galatasaray said to be an intriguing option in the window's final days, following on from earlier interest from Benfica.

Then Ibrahima Konate went and strained a hamstring at Brighton to add to Liverpool's injury nightmares this season.

That means that the big centre-back is once again staying put, and promoted to third choice for the forthcoming games in the absences of Konate and Van Dijk.

As he's proven in the past though, he is a fine defender who deserves to be higher up the pecking order elsewhere, and although he is sure to give his all for the Reds he can't be overjoyed at another window passing him by.

Winner: Stefan Bajcetic

Stefan Bajcetic has been added to the Reds side in recent weeks (Alastair Grant/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

With no shiny new midfielder added to the squad this window it has been up to Liverpool to promote one, and the one they've found has been excellent.

Bajcetic was around the squad in pre-season and caught the eye, but since stepping up to become a bona fide first-team squad member he hasn't let anyone down.

Liverpool lose three players and sign one star as January transfer window closes

Indeed, plenty would tell you that he has to be Liverpool's first choice midfielder on current form.

Losers: Fans who were desperate for a midfielder now

Plenty of Liverpool supporters have made their feelings known (Getty Images)

When the window opened at the beginning of January it had appeared as though the addition of a new midfielder would be a certainty for Liverpool, but then this isn't the first time they've surprised us in the transfer market.

Under their current structure the Reds act when they feel the time is right and the player is right, and seemingly neither of those were when it came to midfielders in January.

It is a risky strategy but one that we've seen from them before, when waiting ensured that they picked up the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Alisson and Ibrahima Konate.

But doing so again now? When the club is clearly in need of something to galvanise it?

It's a risky move. Another one.

Winners: Fans who want a spending spree in the summer

Liverpool seem likely to embark on a major revamp in the summer (PA)

Having kept their cards close to their chest in this winter, Liverpool will surely, surely spend big in the summer as they plot the revamp needed under Klopp.

Midfield will quite obviously be the main area in focus, with some obvious targets still in play after they failed to move in the January window.

Getting Champions League football will be a concern of course, but it promises to be a busy Liverpool summer regardless.

Mark Jones