Liverpool have a history of signing players after the World Cup, having recruited several stars in the wake of summer tournaments who went on to achieve wonders. The World Cup regularly sees its biggest stars secure high-profile transfers once the dust settles, and Liverpool have previously capitalised on standout performers. World Cup 2026 looks set to be no different.
World Cup 2026: New Opportunities
Some of the planet's most celebrated players are currently competing across North America. As ever, there will be those who arrive relatively under the radar but depart with a string of admirers. Yan Diomande has already been the subject of considerable transfer speculation. The RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger caught the eye during his nation's opening victory against Ecuador, fuelling rumours that Andoni Iraola's Reds could table a bid.
Liverpool's Post-World Cup Signings
Mirror Football looks back at some of the players Liverpool snapped up following previous tournaments.
Cody Gakpo (World Cup 2022)
Cody Gakpo remains a key figure in the Liverpool squad, having joined under Jurgen Klopp in January 2023. His move came on the back of World Cup 2022 in Qatar, where he proved instrumental in the Netherlands' run to the quarter-finals. The winger netted in all three group-stage matches and became the first Dutchman to accomplish this feat. Clubs immediately circled, with Manchester United reportedly keen on the then-PSV star. Yet it was Liverpool who wrapped up a £35 million deal and won the chase for his signature. Gakpo continues to be one of his country's most prominent performers and is starting for De Oranje once more at this year's tournament.
Xherdan Shaqiri (World Cup 2018)
Four years prior to Gakpo's arrival, Xherdan Shaqiri, who had just suffered relegation with Stoke City, impressed his way onto Liverpool's shortlist. Shaqiri was indispensable for a Switzerland team that exited in the round of 16, and his strike to clinch victory against Serbia became iconic. The Swiss also held Brazil to a draw during that same tournament. Immediately after Shaqiri's country was knocked out, Klopp moved quickly, and that July, the player joined for a bargain fee of £13.75 million. While his time at Anfield wasn't revolutionary, he proved an excellent squad option, never grumbled about limited game time, and even netted twice against Manchester United.
Divock Origi (World Cup 2014)
Speaking of cult heroes, one of the most adored forwards among many fans arrived at the club following an outstanding World Cup showing. Divock Origi captivated audiences with his displays for Belgium at World Cup 2014. At 19, he effectively displaced Romelu Lukaku in Belgium's starting line-up and netted a dramatic winner against Russia in the group phase. Once more, rumours started to circulate after the tournament concluded. But it was Liverpool and Brendan Rodgers who secured him from Lille for £10 million. In the years ahead, he would cement himself in the affections of fans, netting that iconic strike against Barcelona and wrapping up the Champions League final in 2019.
El Hadji Diouf (World Cup 2002)
Not all of Liverpool's post-World Cup additions proved successful, though. World Cup 2002 delivered a fairytale outcome for Senegal, as they defeated France in the opening match and progressed all the way to the quarter-finals. Young El Hadji Diouf was the standout performer with his direct running, and he was even included in that year's World Cup All-Star team. Gerard Houllier paid £10 million to bring him in from Lens. However, his spell at Anfield was a catastrophe. His discipline was inadequate, and he netted just six goals in 80 Liverpool outings, becoming the only No. 9 in Reds history to go an entire campaign without finding the back of the net.
