Big money moves: Liverpool’s most notable transfer successes and failures | OneFootball

The Reds. Anfield Legends. Liverpool. YNWA vibes. But when it comes to doing business in the transfer market? Well…we can all agree that not every new signing has turned out to be a Steven Gerrard moment.

Some have been pure gold. Others have turned about to be a “remind me why we spent that much again?” and others? Well, let’s say disaster class isn’t exactly the wrong word. Today’s article looks at the biggest hits and misses in Liverpool’s transfer history.

Some of the top players this list will cover include:

Mohammed Salah – Arrived from Roma in 2017 for £36.5 million

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Arguably one of Liverpool’s best signings, Mohammed Salah Ghaly arrived at Anfield from Roma for a club record fee (at the time) of £36.5 million.

Mo Salah had struggled in the Premier League, failing to land a starter role at Chelsea before heading off to Italy. Many were understandably sceptical of his arrival at Anfield. However, Salah has gone on to silence his critics, turning them into his biggest fans.

His first season alone, Salah scored 44 goals, reached the UCL Final, and even won PFA player of the year. In the years that followed, he would win two Premier League titles and one Champions League Cup despite going to three finals.

He would also win four Golden Boots, cementing himself as one of the Premier League’s greatest strikers. With Salah, it is safe to say that he undid the disappointment of the club’s previous record signing.

Andy Carroll – Arrived from Newcastle for £35 million

Newcastle targetman Andy Carroll arrived at Anfield in August of 2011, alongside Uruguayan star Luis Suarez. However, unlike his companion, Andy Carroll would go on to have a disappointing career at Liverpool.

After three seasons, Carroll had only scored six goals.

Reflecting on his time at Merseyside, Carroll admitted that “Derek [Llambias, Newcastle’s managing director] asked me to hand in a transfer request, so I was pushed into a corner and had no choice. I wasn’t wanted by them and they made it clear they wanted the money.Then I flew down in [owner Mike Ashley’s] helicopter. I didn’t want to leave.”

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Virgil Van Dijk: Arrived from Southampton for £75 million in January 2018

Van Dijk arrived at Liverpool at a time when Klopp’s high-pressing system needed solidity and leadership at the back. Klopp was so certain that Van Dijk was the man for the job, he was ready to splurge £75 million on the center back – a move that would be one of Klopp’s greatest at the club.

Van Dijk would lead the team to two Premier League titles and one UCL title. He would also finish second in the 2019 Ballon d’Or, just behind Lionel Messi. Safe to say Van Dijk was one of Liverpool’s most clever signings in the past decade,

Mario Balotelli – Arrived from AC Milan for £16 million

Mario Balotelli completed a prolific spell at AC Milan before he was brought in to replace the outgoing Luis Suarez at Liverpool.

Balotelli failed to replicate his successes at Anfield, scoring 4 in 28 games, one of which was in the Premier League.

Even worse, there were complaints about his attitude, all of which contributed to him leaving for Nice in late 2016.

For many Anfield faithful, Balotelli’s chapter is one that they would rather forget.

Allison Becker – Arrived from Roma for £67 million

Liverpool had a long-standing goalkeeper problem before they decided to sign Allison Becker, again breaking their record transfer fee.

The top-choice goalkeeper for Brazil cemented his place at Anfield, quickly becoming one of the best goalkeepers in the world. His impressive trophy cabinet also contains two Premier League Golden Gloves.

Naby Keita – Arrived from Leipzig for £48 million

Naby Keita was another big-money move that didn’t go as planned for Liverpool. After shining at RB Leipzig, Keita joined Anfield, aiming to bolster Klopp’s energetic midfield setup.

However, Keita failed to perform, not because he didn’t have the right attitude, but because fitness remained an issue for him.

This led to inconsistency, causing the midfielder to fall in the pecking order. Keita himself admitted that the Premier League “was a lot faster” than his playing experiences in Germany.

Speaking about his Liverpool stint, Kieta said “I admit, it was a difficult time for me [at Liverpool]. I wanted to get started straight away and then this injury happened.”

He added, “It was clear to me that I was leaving Liverpool”, something many fans had already speculated before the window opened.

Sadio Mane – Arrived from Southampton for £34 million

Senegalese-born Sadio Mane will go down as one of the most memorable signings in Liverpool’s history. Helping the club break a 30-year league title drought, Sadio Mane would become one of the most loved players of his era.

In a strike partnership alongside Mo Salah and Firmino, Mane would go on to win one league title and one UCL title. He would also come 2nd in the 2022 Ballon d’Or. Two years earlier, he would finish 4th, a situation described ”as a shame” by Lionel Messi.

Phillipe Coutinho – Arrived from Inter Milan for £8.2 million

Phillipe Coutinho is the exact definition of great transfer business. Not only did he excel at Anfield, but he was also sold for a huge profit.

The £8.2 million signing would go on to become one of the key drivers of Klopp’s attack before leaving for Barcelona for £142 million in 2018. Sadly, he doesn’t have many team trophies with Liverpool, but he will still be remembered for his incredible performances.

Conclusion

Liverpool’s transfer history is a mix of hits and misses. Some genius, some forgettable. But that’s football. The best moves always came from clear vision, not hype. As fans, we just hope the next signing is more Salah than Balotelli.