Both Merseyside clubs made excellent acquisitions in the summer transfer window and managed to improve their squads in the process. Carlo Ancelotti was expected to make big changes to a side that needed a midfield overhaul, and he came through with some impressive additions. Jürgen Klopp arguably didn’t need to alter his title-winning charges too much, but he still managed to make a couple of shrewd signings that will help the club’s evolution. The big question is, who had the most successful transfer window of the two clubs now that we have been able to see the players in action?
Everton
Everton hogged the headlines in the transfer window, that can’t be denied. Ancelotti’s pulling power was displayed, and the Toffees managed to bring in a couple of world-class additions to their midfield. The Toffees were criticised for their lack of control in the centre of the park last season, so Ancelotti addressed this issue by bringing in Allan from Napoli for £22.5 million, along with Abdoulaye Doucoure from Watford for £19.89 million. These central midfield enforcers had an immediate impact and helped Everton improve massively in this area.
Posted by James Rodriguez on Saturday, 17 October 2020
The free transfer of James Rodriguez looks like the best bit of business so far, though. The Colombian was once touted as a future superstar after he won the Golden Boot in the 2014 World Cup. But he drifted slightly over the last couple of seasons and has been in desperate need of a new lease of life.
Ancelotti has given the 29-year-old the chance to shine again at Goodison Park, and he has instantly recaptured that devastating form of old. The former Real Madrid man has been pulling all the strings, and has helped get the best out of Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front. It’s Rodriguez’s addition that has thrown Everton into the top four mix, with the race for the Champions League positions looking wide open.
Indeed, bookies’ markets have been all over the place with the wild results that have taken place in the opening set of top-flight matches. Though they are still considered as outsiders, the team can be backed at around 9/2 in the football betting at STS to finish in the top four, which would provide good returns if it came to fruition. For the time being, however, fans can simply hope that the Colombian sees the team through this season.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s marquee signing of the summer was Thiago Alcantara from Bayern Munich. The midfielder is considered to be one of the best in the world in his position, but Reds fans were unable to see much of him early on after he suffered an injury in his second league game for the club.
Posted by Diogo Jota on Saturday, 31 October 2020
There is no doubt that the standout addition for the Anfield outfit has been Diogo Jota from Wolves. The Portugal international signed for a reported fee of £41 million, and is looking to be worth every penny after scoring seven goals in his first nine games for the club. There is even speculation that the 23-year-old may be able to muscle his way into Klopp’s regular starting XI, potentially at the expense of Roberto Firmino.
After the first third of the season, it is hard to say which club had the better transfer window. Jota looks to be the best player of the summer signings, but Everton’s newcomers have massively improved the team as a whole. It may be worth revisiting this question at the end of the campaign for a more definitive answer.