Liverpool failed to land 3 targets in transfer window as Arne Slot settles for late arrivals

Liverpool failed to land three targets in the summer transfer window as Arne Slot was forced to settle for late arrivals.

The Reds were strongly linked with a number of players and none more so than Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi , yet things didn't go to plan and instead it was goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and winger Federico Chiesa who arrived on Merseyside.

While the duo are good signings nonetheless, Slot was hopeful that they wouldn't be the only additions to his side this summer, despite remarks on being happy with the squad he inherited from previous manager Jurgen Klopp .

READ MORE: Liverpool done deals in full: Every transfer in and out of team as window slams shut

READ MORE: Liverpool transfer deadline day reaction LIVE: Alvin Ayman announced, Champions League games confirmed

And while that is, to some extent, true, the Dutchman would have been more content had things gone as hoped elsewhere. While that primarily applies to Zubimendi, the Reds were also hopeful of getting a deal over the line for Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon .

In fact, this came completely out of the blue for the Reds, who were offered the chance to sign the England international whilst he was away with Gareth Southgate's squad at Euro 2024 in Germany.

Struggling to adhere to Profit and Sustainability rules ahead of June's cut-off point, Newcastle sought to resolve its issues by offering Gordon to Liverpool in a remarkable $98.5million (£75m/€89m) move . In fact, the Reds became so confident of a deal that a medical was even arranged for the 23-year-old in Leipzig.

However, the negotiations with the Magpies didn't get that far and in the end, the sales of Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and Yankuba Minteh to Brighton, respectively, brought in enough money for Eddie Howe to no longer need to redress the balance of Newcastle's books.

Not long after, and Liverpool were linked with signing Lille sensation Leny Yoro , who had enjoyed an impressive breakthrough campaign with the Ligue 1 side in 2023-24. However, the Reds pulled out of any deal after it became apparent the 18-year-old was set on Real Madrid .

As it happened, the teenager would join Manchester United in a $68m (£52m/€62m) deal - a fee Liverpool had no intention of paying for someone who would have initially joined as fifth choice center-back. Like Gordon, however, it came about as an "opportunistic" signing as Lille aimed to fetch a fee before his contract ran out.

Then there was Zubimendi. The Spanish midfielder who Liverpool made a real effort to sign this summer yet ultimately fell short after a remarkable U-turn on the move from the 25-year-old following a change of heart .

Things were so close that sporting director Richard Hughes was reportedly left fuming after the Euro 2024 winner had given him his word on a move to Anfield prior to changing his mind. Instead, Real Sociedad used its charm offensive to persuade the midfielder to remain in northern Spain.

It meant Slot was left without a player he desired who could fill the No.6 role and had to make do with the options already at his disposal. In fact, he has disregarded Wataru Endo , a natural in that position, for Ryan Gravenberch , who is more suited to a natural central midfield role.

In the final week of the transfer window, a surprise £29m agreement was struck with Valencia for goalkeeper Mamardashvili in advance of a move to Anfield next summer, while Italian winger Chiesa arrived for mere pocket change on a four-year deal to provide added depth in attack.

Despite the duo of late arrivals, Liverpool largely stuck by its principles of not spending just for the sake of it, and only buying players who will genuinely improve the team. That's not to say a January transfer window offensive is off the cards, with rumors already circulating that Liverpool will revisit the market in the New Year.