Jurgen Klopp’s transfer plans went perfectly this summer, with the Liverpool boss having mapped out a £177 million ($226m) spending spree before the Champions League final.
While many domestic rivals faced frustration in the latest transfer window, with Manchester United epitomising those struggles, those at Anfield acted swiftly and decisively.
A deal for Naby Keita had been in place for several months, but Fabinho was brought on board in a surprise move which left rivals trailing in the Reds’ wake.
Klopp also snapped up Swiss forward Xherdan Shaqiri and made Alisson the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, prior to Chelsea's signing of Kepa Arrizabalaga, with supposed weaknesses addressed and greater depth added.