Even rival supporters will have to concede that Liverpool have positioned themselves well for a Premier League title challenge next season.
Jurgen Klopp has remedied his goalkeeping issue by breaking the bank for top target Alisson Becker and an attacking reinforcement has been brought in in the form of the shrewd acquisition of Xherdan Shaqiri.
The Reds’ midfield has also been bolstered by the arrivals of both Fabinho and Naby Keita, the latter of which has wasted no time in impressing his new teammates.
After his move from RB Leipzig was finally confirmed at the beginning of the month, Keita let Liverpool supporters know where his head was by insisting on taking over the No 8 jersey at Anfield, following on from club legend Steven Gerrard.
And by the sounds of things, the Guinean midfielder has been ripping it up in training ever since.
“With both Naby and Fabinho and now Shaqiri, we’ve brought in top, top players,” teammate Alberto Moreno told Liverpoolfc.com.
“Everybody knows that Fabinho is a great midfielder, and from what I’ve seen of Naby in training, he’s just incredible! As we say in Spain, he’s a real pit bull.Â
“I’m still to see Shaqiri but everyone knows him well for his stats and his Premier League record, and how well he performs.
“I think they are three guys who are going to entertain the fans and give us an awful lot this campaign.”
Keita actually showed up to preseason training a week early to make sure that his fitness would be up to scratch come the start of the season.
He agreed to move to Liverpool last summer but remained at RB Leipzig for one more year, when the Bundesliga side’s sixth-placed finish meant that he would ultimately move for £52.75 million.
And Keita has revealed that he turned down approaches from some of the biggest teams in Europe to sign for Klopp’s side.
“It’s true to say that there were other teams involved like the ones you mentioned [Barcelona and Bayern Munich],” Keita said.
“But a big part of my decision was the role of the coach. We had good conversations a year ago. The words he spoke to me about this project really convinced me.
“I could see how the club was developing. I saw how the team was evolving and throughout last season I really keen to get here, especially having seen how well they were doing.
“We have got quality in the midfield and hopefully I can add to that quality and contribute in my own way. I have watched a lot of Premier League football and from being here I know we have got enough quality in our squad.
“It is all about having the mindset and the desire to want it enough and to fight for it enough. That desire and belief goes a long way.”
