Liverpool assistant boss Pep Lijnders says the January 2018 exit of Philippe Coutinho prompted the club to look inwards rather than outwards when it came to investing in their squad.
It is an approach that has emphatically worked for the Reds, who have now won the Champions League and Premier League in successive seasons.
The initial £142million fee raised from Coutinho's sale was largely put towards the signings of key duo Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker, with Jurgen Klopp's side improving markedly as a result.
But ever since Alisson, Fabinho, Naby Keita and Xherdan Shaqiri arrived prior to the 2018/19 season the Reds have spent just £8.5million in transfers, with Lijnders explaining how financial focus shifted towards keeping their talented group of players together.
“Yes, that [keeping existing players happy] was a conscious strategy," Lijnders explained in an interview with Dutch publication AD.
“The difference between 'top Europe' and 'sub-top Europe' is that 'top Europe' can keep its best players together for a longer period of time.
“ Liverpool was still that sub-top [in 2018]. Players left because they could go a step higher.
“When we won the Champions League [in 2019], we felt now we have to do everything we can to keep the group together. If it succeeds, that is the most important purchase.
“Sometimes you look for gold, but then it turns out you're on it. I also strongly believe in promoting young players. To get fresh blood into a team like that.
“That is my Dutch nature. And also my own experience as a trainer in the training of FC Porto. Trent Alexander-Arnold joined the youth academy and joined the team along the way, Joe Gomez ditto.
“Now talents like Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott and Neco Williams are coming. You can do that if the core group of your team stays together for a longer period of time, and has the right mentality.”
