Anfield Road

As the final hours of the transfer window ticked down there was a sense that we were watching somebody else’s race, somebody else’s game, somebody else’s joy or despair. We’d done our fighting earlier on in the window and as far as we were concerned we’d won, and won well. A late loss of Raul Meireles didn’t really dampen the mood; it didn’t even get in the way of a stream of jokes about golf clubs and Craig Bellamy.

Silly season over

There was as much joy about the players who left as the players who came in over the summer. Not so much joy at seeing the backs of players who rarely played as joy at seeing the back, hopefully, of doing deals that turn into expensive failed gambles. There were also smiles on faces when realising that there wasn’t any of the traumatic separation of much-loved players from adoring fans that earlier windows have featured.

The closest to that was perhaps the departure of Raul Meireles, but it was a long way short of the tensions that surrounded the departures of Alonso, Mascherano and Torres. Ask fans what they think of Meireles to Chelsea and there’ll be a mixed set of answers – but nobody seems to be overly upset or ecstatic that he’s gone. It wasn’t a massive surprise – his agent’s hints about a promised pay-rise fell on deaf ears and the absence of photos of Raul signing that improved deal in Damien’s office suggested his days were numbered at Anfield. He was far and away Roy’s best signing – but even his biggest fans would accept that’s not much of an accolade.

The list of outs is far longer than the list of ins this summer. Some of that is down to the emergence of talent from the academy – instead of paying fat contracts to older players in case we have an injury crisis we’re now willing to give those young players a chance.

Of the seven new first-team signings for Liverpool only two are English – but only Doni and Coates have no prior experience of playing in the Premier League. And all seven are “delighted”, “over the moon” or “honoured” to be here – and that’s an attribute that shouldn’t be played down.

However good Alberto Aquilani might be he didn’t really want to be here; he wanted to be in Italy with his wife and young child. Would Raul Meireles have been in the right frame of mind if his move to Chelsea and a no doubt improved contract not happened? The players signed this summer want to be here, believe that they can help the club get back to where it should be and know that they have the support of the fans in helping make sure that happens.

Craig Bellamy flew to Liverpool after being given permission to leave the Welsh training camp and their preparations for Euro 2012 qualifiers in Cardiff on Friday and against England at Wembley on Tuesday. Having been at Anfield before, as a player and as a fan, he didn’t really need much persuasion: “I’ve grown up with Kenny Dalglish, now to be signed by him is a massive honour,” said Bellamy. “This is an exciting time. It looks so familiar to me and to be part of it is such a huge honour.”

Stewart Downing is away with England at the moment and will be hoping to get the chance to play against Bellamy in that game next week. After signing for the club, eventually, this summer he made it clear what the move meant to him: “It’s a great feeling and I’m very happy to be here. With the tradition, the manager and the players they have here, there was a big temptation to come here and once I knew of their interest, there was only one place I wanted to go. When I wanted to come to Liverpool, the first thing I thought of was playing at Anfield in front of those great fans. I’m really looking forward to it.”

The other English signing this summer has one full international cap but captained England’s under-21s to a 6-0 victory over Azerbaijan this evening (and scored one of the goals). In fact he had to briefly leave an under-21 camp to sign for the Reds at the beginning of the transfer window and after signing he made his feelings clear too: “I’m over the moon, overjoyed to be here and I’m really looking forward to it. I was flattered to know Liverpool were interested in me and, once I knew, it was a massive decision for me to make but also a massive opportunity. I cannot wait, I’m just excited and I want to get going.”

Also away from Melwood on international duty is Charlie Adam; the midfielder will be involved in Scotland’s two home Euro 2012 qualifiers in the coming days. Adam was another player who couldn’t hide his joy at joining up with Kenny: “I am absolutely delighted to be here. It has been a long process but now I can’t wait to get started. It’s a massive club with terrific players and a terrific manager; it’s an honour to be able to say I’m going to be able to play for Liverpool.”

One player who isn’t involved in Euro 2012 qualifiers is Sebastian Coates, Liverpool’s second Uruguayan signing of 2011. He’s taken the word of his compatriot Luis Suarez on what it means to be a Liverpool player: “Luis told me a lot about Liverpool, but about the fans more than anything else. He told me how passionate they are about the club and how supportive they are, about the history and the tradition of the club and now I feel very happy and excited to be here.”

New sub-keeper Doni knows his chances in the first team will be limited but that didn’t dampen his enthusiasm after signing: “It is an honour to be at a club like Liverpool after leaving Roma, Liverpool is one of those clubs that when the opportunity to go there comes along you have to take it with both hands.”

Jose Enrique’s performances since signing have been as impressive as his words on joining: “This is one of the happiest days of my life; I have come to one of the biggest clubs not just in England, but in the world. I am really, really happy. They have won a lot of things including the Champions League. They have amazing players and I hope to win things here. Of course I am looking forward to playing in front of the Kop. Everybody speaks about the fans here and they are amazing. I am looking forward to it.”

The window is closed and it’s other clubs who have worries about their owners or their finances. Just an international break to get out of the way and then Liverpool supporters can get back to doing what they like best – concentrating on the football.