Liverpool were long held up as the gold standard for transfer business due to the synergy between Jurgen Klopp and sporting director Michael Edwards. Together, they transformed the club from floundering to Premier League and Champions League conquerors. The team was built in Klopp's image, with each signing carefully placed. Liverpool mixed smart scouting with shrewd valuation, rarely overpaying.
But after the 2020 Premier League success, the Reds began making signings and sanctioning departures that suggested a drop in level. Edwards left, later returned, then walked away again. Once, Liverpool rarely spent big without success; now that is no longer the case. The transition from Klopp to Arne Slot saw the Dutchman wanting to adopt his own principles. Slot was ultimately moved on, and now Andoni Iraola is trying to get a tune out of a squad full of talented individuals lacking overall direction.
The Hits
Andy Robertson – Signed from Hull City for just £8m after their relegation to the Championship. Within 12 months, he was one of the best left-backs in the top flight and provided years of consistent service.
Mohamed Salah – Signed for £40m from Roma after failing at Chelsea. His high pace and counter-attacking style suited Klopp's system. He scored on debut, claimed the Golden Boot in a record-breaking first season, and left as Liverpool's third greatest goalscorer.
Philippe Coutinho – Allowed to leave for Barcelona for £142m. The funds were reinvested, and his departure ignited the path to league and European glory.
Virgil van Dijk – Effectively signed with the Coutinho money. He established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League and took Liverpool up a level. The club showed patience by waiting until January to sign him.
Emre Can – Liverpool let him run down his contract instead of giving a major pay rise. He never hit the same heights elsewhere.
The Misses
Naby Keita – Signed for £48m from RB Leipzig. He performed but not to the expected level; he never looked totally settled in midfield. Considered the only blot on Klopp's recruitment record.
Darwin Nunez – Signed for an initial £64m, potentially rising to £85m. He massively underwhelmed despite moments in the spotlight and was offloaded to Saudi Arabia.
Florian Wirtz – A British-record signing at over £100m. Jamie Carragher flagged that such spending didn't feel like Liverpool, more a Real Madrid blueprint. The system didn't suit a playmaker, and he endured a long wait for his first goal.
Alexander Isak – Liverpool broke the British transfer record twice in weeks to sign him from Newcastle, despite already having Hugo Ekitike. His move has been a disaster: injury restricted game time, he scored just four goals, and looked a shadow of his former self.
Ibrahima Konate – Allowed to leave on a free transfer. Iraola has already mentioned that the squad is thin at the back due to injuries, and Konate's quality attracted Real Madrid's attention. This decision could age badly.
