How every player Liverpool sold in £53m summer exodus is faring this season

A burning spotlight has shone brightly on Liverpool over the last few months as they tried to navigate their way through the minefield that was the summer transfer window. The Reds outlined their priority of restructuring the engine room at Anfield, but it was far from a smooth journey to reach their end product.

Jurgen Klopp welcomed four new midfielders over the threshold, which at face value was strong business. But when the layers are peeled back, it was a chaotic period for Liverpool. Fans prepared for a busy few months, knowing they were set to lose players on free deals as the final days ticked down, but that would prove to be just the start of their headache.

A total of 11 players left Anfield during the summer, on both permanent and short-term deals, but where have they all moved to and how are they getting on so far?

Roberto Firmino

The man who started the relentless interest from Saudi Arabia. After eight years with Liverpool and countless influential performances alongside Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané, Robert Firmino left on a free transfer to Al-Ahli, where he has been named captain. The Brazilian has hit the ground running with his new club, kicking off his new chapter with a hat-trick on his debut.

James Milner

Another Anfield icon who bid an emotional farewell this summer, similar to Firmino, James Milner’s contract expired after eight dedicated years with Liverpool. The versatile midfielder had been linked with a homecoming to boyhood club Leeds United, but he opted for a move to Brighton instead, reuniting with former Reds teammate Adam Lallana.

Since joining the Seagulls, Milner has made five Premier League appearances and started the first three of the season at right-back. A 37-year-old still getting regular game time is absolutely not something to sniff at, but he is only contracted for one year, so whether retirement awaits him next summer is a question that will soon be answered.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain had flashes of brilliance in a red shirt but ultimately struggled to establish himself as a key player. After also leaving on a free this summer, the midfielder signed a three-year deal with Beşiktaş. Oxlade-Chamberlain has made 10 appearances so far and bagged himself one goal. His starts have been sporadic but he could finally have found the regular football he was looking for at Liverpool.

Naby Keïta

The fourth free agent to leave the club was Naby Keïta, who ignited a lot of frustration in fans over the years due to his heavy injury portfolio and inconsistent performances on the pitch. The midfielder returned to the Bundesliga after joining Werder Bremen and has already been hit with yet another injury. An abductor tear saw him miss the first four games of the season and he has played just 81 minutes since his return.

Fabinho

After snapping up Firmino, the Saudi Pro League returned to Liverpool’s door. Despite being Klopp’s first choice defensive midfielder, the Reds parted ways with the Brazilian, who now plays with the likes of N’Golo Kanté and Karim Benzema at Al-Ittihad. Fabinho is already a valued member of the team, having started every single game across all competitions so far this season.

Jordan Henderson

Undoubtedly the most disappointing exit this summer, for a number of reasons. Jordan Henderson reunited with Steven Gerrard and Georginio Wijnaldum at Al-Ettifaq and was handed the captain’s armband. He seems to be flourishing as a playmaker in Saudi Arabia though, as he has notched five assists in nine games already this season.

Fábio Carvalho (loan)

Fábio Carvalho’s future at Anfield remains uncertain, hence the loan move. It seems Klopp is deciding what he wants from the young star, who is spending the season in Germany with RB Leipzig. The 21-year-old’s time on the pitch has been sporadic so far, mainly making cameo appearances off the bench. Carvalho is yet to contribute a goal for Leipzig but has been operating on both the left and right wing.

Sepp van den Berg (loan)

Since signing for Liverpool in 2019, Sepp van den Berg has made extremely limited appearances under Klopp. During the summer window, the Dutchman was sent out on loan for the third time since being at Anfield. He is currently with Mainz until the end of the season and he has enjoyed regular football, playing in all seven Bundesliga games so far.

Calvin Ramsay (loan)

Calvin Ramsay is another young player out on loan as he looks to get Klopp’s attention. However, the right-back’s loan spell is not going as smoothly as Van den Berg’s. Ramsay has joined Championship side Preston North End for the 2023/24 season but is yet to feature due to injury. He is currently undergoing rehab with Liverpool but is expected to return to PNE when he is fit and ready.

Nathaniel Phillips (loan)

Nat Phillips stepped up for Liverpool during a defensive injury crisis but he has fallen down the pecking order once again. With less than two years left on his current contract, the centre-back has moved to Celtic for a season-long loan spell, however his time on the pitch has been irregular so far.

Rhys Williams (loan)

Another defender who was given a big shot in the senior team but has since slipped into a backseat role. Rhys Williams joined Aberdeen on loan for the season but an injury has hugely set him back and he is yet to make an appearance for the club.