Following the close of the summer transfer window, The Athletic published an article summarizing Liverpool's transfer activity this summer. Due to its length, it will be released in two parts, with this being the second part.

Reports indicate that sources close to Fenway Sports Group believe that the groundwork Hughes laid for the Barcola deal over the past 12 months was crucial, ultimately bringing the French international to Anfield. They also believe that despite Hughes' impending departure, the club's decision to trust him to continue leading transfers this summer has now been justified.

Hughes has faced considerable criticism online for not completing more deals, but sources close to the Scot and Liverpool's senior management firmly deny that his attention was divided between Liverpool and his upcoming new role. All parties emphasize that there is no conflict of interest. He will depart gracefully.

Liverpool's transfer strategy was also influenced by the impending returns of Conor Bradley, Leoni, and Ekitike from long-term injuries. The club was reluctant to invest significant resources in positions where highly-rated players would be returning in a few months.

However, the strain on the team's defensive line during the pre-season tour in the United States eventually forced them to act.

With captain Van Dijk not traveling with the squad, Leoni still recovering, Jacquet out with a knee injury, and Joe Gomez limping off less than 10 minutes into the first warm-up match against Sunderland in Nashville.

Without available first-team center-backs, Iraola deployed young players Ndukwe and Malik Ndiaye. Both were signed by the club's global talent department, led by Matt Newberry, and impressed at the U17 World Cup in Qatar last November.

Austrian youth international Ndukwe performed well and earned high praise from Van Dijk, but he could not remain with the team this season because he failed to obtain the necessary work permit to play in the UK. Subsequently, he was loaned to La Liga team Levante after active persuasion from head coach Luis Castro. He only needs to play one more league game to qualify to play official matches in England. Liverpool will re-evaluate his situation in January to decide whether to recall him or let him stay for the entire season.

Shortly after, Liverpool signed Araujo on a season-long loan from Barcelona. The Uruguayan international is experienced and can provide cover at both center-back and right-back, which is why Liverpool valued him.

This loan involved no loan fee, but Liverpool agreed to cover his wages, and Araujo himself accepted a slight pay cut to facilitate the move. Both parties also agreed on a buy-out option of approximately £47 million this summer. Only four days passed between Liverpool first contacting Araujo's team and his arrival in Merseyside for a medical.

Szoboszlai had just signed a new five-year contract, quelling speculation about his future, but his comment during the US tour about teammate Mac Allister, saying "if Mac comes back," still caused quite a stir. The Hungarian captain later insisted it was a slip of the tongue and he meant "when Mac comes back."

However, speculation surrounding Mac Allister continued, despite his father Carlos publicly stating that he would remain at Anfield.

Liverpool had no intention of selling him. But if Mac Allister actively requested to leave and a suitable offer was made, Lamine Camara of Monaco would be the first-choice replacement. Camara himself experienced transfer deadline day drama, with Monaco backing out at the last minute and not selling him to Chelsea for £47 million. Liverpool might rekindle their interest in him in 2027, but there are no guarantees.

If Liverpool had decided to strengthen their midfield at the time, another player on their shortlist was Matheus Fernandes of West Ham United, who eventually joined Tottenham Hotspur for £85 million.

The only change in Liverpool's midfield was Curtis Jones' €30 million transfer to Inter Milan, ending his 16-year career at his boyhood club.

The academy product was frustrated by his inability to secure a regular starting spot in his preferred position and also wanted a new challenge. He had previously rejected two offers from the Serie A champions, with Liverpool holding out for a price that better reflected his value.

Liverpool did not replace Jones with a new signing. The club believes young player Trey Nyoni is ready to take on a more significant role. At the beginning of this summer, Nyoni also considered a change in his development path. Nottingham Forest had bid £30 million for Nyoni, but this offer was immediately rejected, and further negotiations for a new contract are expected.

When Liverpool drew 2-2 away to Newcastle United in the first Premier League match, conceding two counter-attack goals, it further fueled the debate about whether the team needed to sign a pure No. 6.

But Iraola is confident that the problem can be solved by improving the team's off-the-ball defensive shape rather than making personnel changes. With Wirtz deployed as a No. 10, Iraola essentially has to choose between Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Nyoni, and Endo for two midfield spots. Szoboszlai can also play Wirtz's role.

Other fringe players in the Liverpool squad were also moved on. Luca Stephenson joined Bolton for £700,000, while Bajcetic returned to Celta for approximately £1 million. Harvey Elliott, who was not part of Iraola's plans, was loaned to Valencia.

At the time, it seemed Liverpool would sign another forward in addition to Barcola. They had inquired about Mbappé and Endrick, but Real Madrid made it clear that Endrick was not for sale. Malik Fofana, who eventually moved from Lyon to Sunderland, was also on Liverpool's scouting list.

However, Liverpool really pushed for Yankuba Minteh and Sarr. Liverpool made two offers of £50 million and £60 million for Minteh, but both were rejected by Brighton, who insisted on an £80 million asking price. Crystal Palace also took a firm stance on Sarr.

It wasn't until the final week of the transfer window that Liverpool initiated contact with Sarr. Crystal Palace claimed that in negotiations, Liverpool expressed willingness to pay £45 million plus £5 million in add-ons, but Liverpool stated they never submitted a formal offer. Regardless, Crystal Palace made it clear they would not do the deal. Crystal Palace was unhappy with the timing and valuation, and also annoyed by the impact on Sarr, as his mind had been unsettled.

If either Minteh or Sarr had been signed, Liverpool would have allowed Gakpo to leave. The Dutch forward told Liverpool last weekend that if he were to be sold, he would prefer to join Manchester City rather than Tottenham Hotspur.

Manchester City made an £80 million offer, but it was rejected on the second to last day of the transfer window. Liverpool ultimately decided to keep Gakpo because the alternatives were more expensive.

Liverpool's last-minute moves focused on long-term planning. They quickly agreed a £30 million deal with Genk for 18-year-old goalkeeper Broumans, who had also been strongly linked with Real Madrid. Broumans signed a six-year contract and will remain on loan in Belgium this season before moving to Anfield next summer.

By then, Alisson's contract will also be expiring, and the future of his current backup, Mamardashvili, remains uncertain. Mamardashvili is hoping for more consistent playing time, but his performances since joining from Valencia last year have not entirely convinced. Multiple sources indicate that Nottingham Forest recently made inquiries about Mamardashvili. The Athletic's query to Forest was denied, but regardless, he ultimately remained with the team.

The signing of Broumans, along with the previous deals for Ndukwe and Ndiaye, indicates that Liverpool is striving to be at the forefront when top young players from around the world turn 18 and become available for Premier League clubs to sign.

The club also recognizes the potential of Colombian U17 international Martinez. The player will join from Atlético Nacional next summer for a transfer fee of approximately £750,000. He impressed at the South American U17 Championship in April, attracting the attention of the club's scouting department. In that tournament, Colombia defeated Argentina in the final.

Martinez was at one point attracting interest from around 20 clubs, wavering between Dortmund and Liverpool. However, Newberry and his team presenting their vision of a development path in Merseyside ultimately proved decisive.

Liverpool has also agreed a £4.3 million deal with Saint-Étienne for young French winger Ghilian N'Guessan. The player will initially join Brest on loan before officially joining the team in January or next summer.

After selling a number of young players last summer, Liverpool has begun to replenish its reserves. In the long term, the team's prospects are bright, but there are still differing opinions on whether they have sufficiently strengthened for the present.

Liverpool's hierarchy has recognized that an era is nearing its end and understands that rebuilding requires significant investment, hence approving a total of £700 million in transfers over the past two summers.

Related Reading:

The Athletic: Liverpool began contacting Barcola a year ago, player's desire led to a discounted deal

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