Liverpool Football Club has often been criticised for the days where summer transfer windows seemed to come by and the people at the top pulling the transfer strings would still be on a beach somewhere nice and exotic.
In fact, progress within the window would be so slow that the Reds would often lose out on the cream of European talent, and often to their fierce Premier League rivals.
This summer, however, no one can deny that Liverpool have started business early.
At the time of writing, the Reds have confirmed the arrivals of defender Kolo Toure and forwards Luis Alberto and Iago Aspas.
Liverpool FC confirm Kolo Toure signing
Liverpool complete Luis Alberto signing
LFC complete Iago Aspas signing
Belgian international goalkeeper Simon Mignolet will bring that total up to four when he undergoes his medical at Melwood on Tuesday and completes his switch from Sunderland.
That’s four signings and the transfer window isn’t even open yet (it opens next Monday, July 1st).
Not bad business at all.
Of course the sceptics will argue that Liverpool are signing early to prepare fans for big name exits from the club this summer.
The futures of Luis Suarez and Pepe Reina continue to look uncertain, whilst Glen Johnson, Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel have all been linked with moves elsewhere too.
But, as of right now, they haven’t left, and things are looking bright and rosy on the fields of Anfield Road again (touch wood).
This morning the club’s official website unveiled Aspas with a parade of mandatory photos including ‘Aspas and some football boots’, ‘Aspas leaning against the door to the pitches’ and my personal favourite, ‘Aspas and a statue of Bill Shankly‘s head’.
Iago, meet Bill: #LFC pic.twitter.com/GeMtYF7Swr
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) June 24, 2013
Amongst quotes of how jubilant Aspas is to join Liverpool is another photo of him awkwardly holding up the new Liverpool shirt with Managing Director Ian Ayre, as if it’s just come out of the wash and still has a damp feel about it.
Ayre in fact seems to have been instrumental in this early progress of signings. And well he should, being MD and all.
A few weeks ago, we brought you a report on who the LFC transfer committee are and what their roles are. It’s even more relevant now, so I recommend you read (here).
Long after the days of Rick Parry and transfer windows that tumbleweed would pass by for the Reds, Ayre spoke today of the importance of getting business done early.
“As we’ve always said, we’ve got our targets. We will work as hard as we can to bring them in. As we’ve said before, it’s always about getting the right players and the right deals for both sides.
“There’s a lot of work going on, there’s certainly no shortage of that. Hopefully we’ll have some more success.”
“It’s not always possible but it’s always important [to conclude transfer early].
“Particularly from the playing perspective, the manager and the coaches and all of the staff want to know that they’ve got the squad together, particularly ahead of pre-season.
“We’ve worked tirelessly, a lot of people behind the scenes worked ahead of the transfer window to identify those players that interest us.
“Then the hard work starts, negotiating and bringing these deals together.”
Brendan Rodgers now has at least some knowledge of how he can mould and shape his squad for next season with the new arrivals, and at least from the outside, it looks like Liverpool FC are in business.
Welcome to Anfield, Kolo, Luis, Iago and Simon.
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