The summer of 2020 was a curious one for world football and Liverpool Football Club.
With the coronavirus pandemic forcing leagues to be postponed across the footballing world, Jurgen Klopp’s side were belatedly crowned Premier League champions in July.
Some of their out-of-contract players left when their deals expired at the start of that month, others were handed short-term extensions before departing in August.
Meanwhile, the transfer window was opened later before closing in October in adjustment to football’s revised schedule, with Thiago Alcantara, Diogo Jota and Kostas Tsimikas all signing up for the Reds.
In total, nine senior players left Liverpool before the transfer window’s delayed close.
But how did they all get on after seeking pastures new? Theo Squires takes a look…
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Nathaniel Clyne
With his last Liverpool appearance coming in December 2018, Clyne spent the majority of his final year at the club on the sidelines after suffering an ACL injury in pre-season.
Not featuring at all last season as a result, he wasn’t offered a short-term extension and left the club in July 2020.
Later training with Crystal Palace, he signed a short-term deal in October 2020 with his former club and, having initially impressed following an injury crisis at Selhurst Park, signed an extension until the end of the season in January.
Finishing the campaign with 14 appearances to his name, he failed to feature after February and only made the Eagles matchday squad for three of their final 13 games as they finished 14th.
He is one of more than a dozen Palace players whose contract expire at the end of June 2020, including fellow ex-Reds Martin Kelly and Mamadou Sakho.
Pedro Chirivella
With first team opportunities limited at Liverpool, Chirivella snubbed a new offer from the Reds so he could join Nantes.
Confirming his move to the Ligue 1 side at the end of his deal, the Spaniard made 33 appearances during his maiden season in France including 27 starts.
However, a final-day defeat to Montpellier saw them finish the season in the relegation zone to set-up a play-off with Toulouse to keep their place in the French top-flight.
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Andy Lonergan
After seeing his year-long contract with Liverpool extended until the end of the delayed campaign, Lonergan left the Reds after lifting the Premier League title.
Unattached until December, Stoke signed the goalkeeper on a short-term deal after suffering an injury crisis between the sticks with the 37-year-old making his only appearance for the Potters in a 3-1 League Cup defeat to Tottenham.
Signed by West Brom as cover in January, he was released at the end of the season by the Baggies following their relegation to the Championship without making an appearance.
Adam Lallana
Having endured an injury-plagued two seasons at Liverpool, Lallana fought back to play a bit-part role in his final season with the club.
Handed a short-term extension to join in the Reds’ title celebrations, he left the club at the end of his deal after not being offered a new deal and signed for Brighton & Hove Albion.
Enjoying a mainly injury-free campaign on the south coast, the playmaker made 31 appearances in all competitions, including 16 Premier League starts and registering one goal and an assist, to help the Seagulls secure survival with a 16th-placed finish.
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Dejan Lovren
Having fallen down the pecking order at Anfield, Lovren was allowed to join Zenit St. Peterburg for £11m in July 2020 after winning the Premier League.
Making his debut for the club by winning the Russian Super Cup, he was named club captain the following November.
Despite missing the end of the season with a muscle injury, the Croatian finished the season with 28 appearances and two goals as he captained Zenit to the Russian title.
Considering the Reds’ injury crisis during the season and at centre-back in particular, this is one departure Klopp might not have sanctioned in hindsight.
Ovie Ejaria
Re-joining Reading on loan for the 2019/20 season, following a successful half-season stint the year before, the Royals were obliged to sign Ejaria permanently as part of the deal.
Extending the loan deal to the end of the delayed Championship season, Reading belatedly signed the midfielder for £3.5m in August 2020.
Making 38 appearances during the season, the 23-year-old registered three goals and five assists as the Royals narrowly missed out on the play-offs.
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Ki-Jana Hoever
Like Lovren, another player Klopp might have retained had he foreseen the defensive injury problems Liverpool would suffer, Hoever joined Wolves in a £9m deal in September 2020 in a deal arranged alongside the Reds’ own signing of Diogo Jota.
Predominantly utilised as a squad option, the 19-year-old made 15 appearances during his maiden season at Molineux, with five of those coming from the start in the Premier League, as the West-Midlands side claimed a 13th-placed finish.
Rhian Brewster
Following an impressive half-season on loan at Swansea City and prolific pre-season with Liverpool, Brewster was surprisingly sold to Sheffield United in a £23.5m deal in October 2020.
However, the striker has endured a season to forget for the Blades as they suffered relegation from the Premier League.
The 21-year-old failed to score for his new side as he made 30 appearances, including 12 Premier League starts.
Herbie Kane
Making two appearances for Liverpool in the League Cup in 2019/20 before finishing the season on loan at Hull City, Kane joined Barnsley in a £1.25m deal in October 2020.
The midfielder featured 27 times for the Tykes before missing the end of the season with an ankle injury as Barnsley lost in the Championship play-off semi-finals to Swansea City.
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