Remember when Liverpool fans were filled with trepidation ahead of the new season?
Seems a long time ago, doesn't it. But back when the Reds' midfield was being uprooted by Saudi Arabian riches, as captain Jordan Henderson and long-serving stalwart Fabinho both moved to the Middle East, there was a panic on for Jurgen Klopp to bring in replacements, having released a slew of other midfielders in June.
While around £145million was spent on Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch throughout the summer transfer window, Liverpool were linked to nine others midfielders who they didn't get their hands on.
So, how are their targets doing so far this season whether it be at new clubs or after staying put? Let's find out.
Moises Caicedo
Starting off with the most high-profile miss from the Reds, we all know Chelsea gazumped Klopp and co at the eleventh hour to bring Caicedo to Stamford Bridge. Since his British record £115m move, the Ecuador international has only shown glimpses of why the Blues were so keen to fork out that kind of fee.
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Chelsea's season is on the upturn, though, with manager Mauricio Pochettino finding his feet. Caicedo, 21, has made eight appearances in all competitions and along with Romeo Lavia - who'll we get onto shortly - Pochettino insists that he's "so happy" with him.
Moises Caicedo is yet to shine for Chelsea (Paul Dennis/TGS Photo/REX/Shutterstock)Sofyan Amrabat
Having starred for Morocco at the World Cup and been a linchpin during Fiorentina's run to the Europa Conference League final last season, Amrabat was linked with some of the world's biggest clubs over the summer - but he only wanted Manchester United. That's where the 27-year-old ended up after a loan move on deadline day, reuniting with former Utrecht manager Erik ten Hag.
Unfortunately for Amrabat, Ten Hag has mostly been deployed at left-back and been given little opportunity to play as an actual midfielder. "You always have a moment that maybe it will be a little bit difficult," the Fiorentina loanee, who Klopp reportedly called multiple times in an effort to court his signature, recently admitted.
"Now I think it's a bit like that at the moment. Nobody will give it to you. You have to work for it. But we work very hard and I believe it will be fine. It will be good."
Sofyan Amrabat's time at Manchester United has been spent playing as a left-back (James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)Joao Palhinha
This one was almost the one that got away for Liverpool, but Palhinha remains a Fulham player and with a chance of a January switch after his move to Bayern Munich dramatically broke down in the final hours of deadline day. Having travelled to Bavaria for a medical, the Portuguese linchpin was left gutted when the deal fell through as a result of Fulham failing to recruit a replacement.
Since then, Palhinha has signed a new five-year contract, making him even more a prized asset at Craven Cottage. But with Marco Silva's men not having a great start to the new season, the former Sporting Lisbon ace might still be tempted by a big-money transfer at the age of 28 if a side like Liverpool come calling.
Joao Palhinha had been set to join Bayern Munich on deadline day (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)Romeo Lavia
To Lavia now, another of Chelsea's gluttony of big-money additions. The Belgian starlet rose through the ranks at Manchester City before a stellar season with Southampton last time out, despite suffering relegation. That prompted Liverpool to make a move but the Reds refused to go above their third and final bid of £46m, allowing Chelsea to end the saga by coughing up a cool £58m in August.
Lavia is yet to make his Blues debut, however, with an ankle injury expected to rule him out until the end of the month. "I think he is the perfect player for this project," Pochettino affirms. "We are excited and we are so happy to have him in the squad."
Romeo Lavia is still waiting for make his Chelsea debut (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)Khephren Thuram
Onto the lesser-known stars now and what a start it's been for Thuram and Nice. Sat second in Ligue 1 only one point off the top, having beaten Paris Saint-Germain away from home, the son of France legend Lilian and brother of Inter Milan striker Marcus has been instrumental.
Thuram, 22, was born in Italy during his father's stint with Juventus but has made his name on the French Riviera. Liverpool were tentatively linked this summer but a move never materialised, allowing the dynamic midfielder to stay at Nice and further showcase his talents under 34-year-old manager Francesco Farioli.
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Khephren Thuram and Nice team-mates have beaten Paris Saint-Germain in their strong start to the season (Hugo Pfeiffer/Icon Sport via Getty Images)Manu Kone
To the Bundesliga next and specifically Borussia Monchengladbach. Another 22-year-old Frenchman in Kone is having a less spectacular season than Thuram.
The former Toulouse prodigy has only made one start, having been named in the matchday squad just three times as he recovers from a knee injury sustained during the under-21 European Championships. Still, Liverpool continue to be linked alongside Bayern Munich and Juventus, so Kone's stock doesn't appear to be taking a hit.
Manu Kone continues to get his match fitness back after injury at Borussia Monchengladbach (Frederic Scheidemann/Getty Images)Andre Trindade
Speaking of targets who could still be acquired, Brazilian playmaker Andre remains a solid option heading towards January. Also 22, Andre has helped power Fluminense to the Copa Libertadores final to be played on November 4 against Argentine giants Boca Juniors.
With Fluminense's season then coming to an end a month later, Liverpool will be able to press on with a move should Klopp still be keen. The Reds are believed to be first in the queue for the Brazil international, with the player reportedly hopeful of the switch to Anfield.
Have your say! Should Liverpool sign Andre Trindade in January? Join the debate in the comments section.
Andre Trindade could play one of his last ever games for Fluminense in the Cope Libertadores final (MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)Gabri Veiga
The riches of the Saudi Pro League both helped and hindered plenty of European clubs' transfer business over the summer, with Gabri Veiga among the smattering of younger stars to make a surprise move to the Middle East. Despite being a key player for Rafa Benitez-led Celta Vigo aged just 21, the Spanish midfielder decided to walk away from Europe and join Al Ahli, notably where Liverpool hero Roberto Firmino now plays his football.
Veiga doesn't have any regrets, though, and insists that he didn't go for the money. "Among all the options I was considering, it was the one that allowed me to grow as a footballer, to mature with a young coach, in a team with great players, and in a league that is growing a lot," the ex-Liverpool, Arsenal and Napoli target is quoted as saying by AS.
Gabri Veiga snubbed a move to Napoli in favour of joining Al Ahli (Khalid Alhaj/MB Media/Getty Images)"It was a step towards the future, even if there are many people who don't understand it, and I’m not going to ask them to understand it. For me, it was the best step I could take.”
Cheick Doucoure
Returning to the Premier League for our final midfielder, Liverpool were fleetingly linked with an £80m move for Doucoure after being snubbed by Caicedo and beaten in the bidding war for Lavia. The Malian midfielder - signed by Crystal Palace from Lens last year - was tipped to make a late move to Anfield, but ex-Liverpool boss Roy Hodgson didn't fancy parting ways and Doucoure remains a key player at Selhurst Park.
Cheick Doucoure recently helped Crystal Palace beat Manchester United (Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)"I want to keep all of the players, there's no doubt about that," Hodgson affirmed. "I'm the manager, the club getting money for players doesn't help me. It would be very, very difficult, I think, with whatever money we get to replace those players."
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