During the summer of 2023, the search for midfielders was very high on the agenda at Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp saw key figures such as Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and James Milner all leave the Merseyside club at once as the season prior highlighted that the Reds needed a change in the middle of the park.

It was a complete overhaul from Klopp, but it is one that is benefiting Arne Slot at present because three of those stars have been crucial to the Dutch coach’s success at Anfield this season.

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However, some of these players were not Liverpool’s first-choice targets, with two deciding to join another Premier League club.

Missing out on the duo seemed a big hit to the Merseyside club at the time; however, when it comes to the Belgian talent, it seems the Reds have dodged a £53m bullet.

Lavia has played just 13 times for the London club throughout the current campaign, which follows a season in which he only featured once for the Blues, resulting in the midfielder missing 80 games over the last two campaigns.

All four have contributed to the success the Reds have had over the last two seasons and their versatility has helped solve some tricky situations at Anfield, with Endo recently having to play at centre-back.

Mac Allister has the potential to be a future captain at Liverpool, while Szoboszlai can still level up to become a goal machine from midfield, and Gravenberch continues to develop as a number six.

The future is bright for Liverpool’s midfield three and most of that is down to the Merseyside club missing out on two Chelsea players.
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