A recap of all the last minute ins and out as the January 2018 transfer window closed…
There was never likely to be any incomings at Liverpool on Transfer Deadline Day and, as the clock ticked around to 11pm GMT last night, so it was to prove.
Despite relentless calls from supporters, Kop boss Jürgen Klopp remained true to his word and declined to make any further additions to his first team squad.
The German had, of course, previously outlaid a club record £75million to lure defender Virgil van Dijk from Southampton, but that was subsequently overshadowed by Philippe Coutinho’s £146million departure to Barcelona.
Besides those two mega deals, the month was predominantly filled with loan activity, including Daniel Sturridge’s surprise move to West Bromwich Albion, and Transfer Deadline Day proved no difference with four of the five outgoings that took place being temporary switches.
Liverpool’s Transfer Deadline Day activity:
Lloyd Jones
Luton Town > Undisclosed
League Two leaders Luton Town announced the signing of the 22-year-old defender on a two-and-a-half-year deal shortly before 2pm. Jones, who joined Liverpool from Plymouth in 2011, failed to make a first-team appearance during his spell on Merseyside and spent time on loan at Cheltenham, Accrington, Blackpool and Swindon.
Ovie Ejaria
Sunderland > Loan
The talented midfielder will end a season initially hampered by injury at the Stadium of Light. Ejaria, 20, made his first team debut in September 2016 and has been a key player for the table-topping U23s this term when fit, scoring an impressive late winner against Derby County on Sunday. Big things are expected of the U20 World Cup winner, who told the official Sunderland website: “I’m really happy because I’ve wanted to go out on loan for a while to get regular first-team football under my belt.
“I’d say that I’m a player that likes to get on the ball quite a lot and make things happen, I’ll try to create chances and hopefully score some goals as well.”
Harry Wilson
Hull City > Loan
It was a busy day for the young Welsh international, who signed a new contract with Liverpool before moving to Hull in the final hours of the window. A prolific goal scorer at U23 level, Wilson made his senior Reds bow 12 months ago in an FA Cup replay at Plymouth Argyle. Speaking about his move to the Tigers to the official Hull website, the attacking midfielder said: “As soon as I found out that Hull City were interested I really wanted to make the move, so thankfully everything got done fairly quickly.
“I feel that it’s the right time for me to make this move, making the step into a first team changing room and into the Championship. It’s a great challenge and one that I’m looking forward to.”
Lazar Markovic
Anderlecht > Loan
Liverpool have been looking to offload the winger permanently for a number of windows but again there were no takers on that front. Wolfsburg, Spartak and Lokomotiv Moscow had all been linked with the Serbian international during the window, while on Transfer Deadline Day a resurgent Swansea City reportedly agreed a loan deal before opting to complete their loan quota with Leicester City’s Andy King instead. Thankfully Belgium side Anderlecht were on hand to secure the services of a player who has only been involved in one matchday squad this season. The 23-year-old, who cost the Merseysiders £20million in July 2014, has previously been loaned to Fenerbahce, Sporting Lisbon and Hull. Liverpool were believed to be looking to recoup £15million for him.
Jon Flanagan
Bolton Wanderers > Loan
Liverpool’s final piece of business on Wednesday saw Jon Flanagan become the third player to move on loan to the Championship. The full-back’s once promising career has been derailed in recent years by two serious knee injuries and an assault charge. Overall, the 25-year-old has made 51 appearances for the Reds, scoring one goal, but only nine of those have come in the previous three seasons. Capped once by England, the Scouser will hope the move can reignite his career in a way a similar switch to Burnley last term failed to do.
Liverpool’s January 2018 Activity In Full
In
Virgil van Dijk (Southampton) > £75m
Ryan Kent (Freiburg) > Loan return
Tony Gallacher (Falkirk) > £200k
Out
Philippe Coutinho (Barcelona) > £146m
Corey Whelan (Yeovil Town) > Loan
Matty Virtue (Notts County) > Loan
Cameron Brannagan (Oxford United) > £200k
Ryan Kent (Bristol City) > Loan
Marko Grujić (Cardiff City) > Loan
Daniel Sturridge (West Bromwich Albion) > Loan
Lloyd Jones (Luton Town) > Undisclosed
Ovie Ejaria (Sunderland) > Loan
Harry Wilson (Hull City) > Loan
Lazar Markovic (Anderlecht) > Loan
Jon Flanagan (Bolton Wanderers) > Loan
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