Liverpool have confirmed the loan signing of Barcelona captain Ronald Araujo for the season, with the £47m defender hoping to fare better than some of the Reds' previous temporary deals. Daily Star Sport has ranked every loan signing made by the Merseyside club during the Premier League era, from all-time flops to world-class superstars.
Goalkeeping Cover and Early Loans
Mark Prudhoe came on loan from Stoke City in November 1994 as cover for David James and Michael Stensgaard, but never played for the Reds. After retiring, he returned to Sunderland as an academy goalkeeping coach, and is credited by England keeper Jordan Pickford for helping set him on the path to playing for Everton.
Mark Gayle, another journeyman goalkeeper, signed on loan from Crewe Alexandra in 1994 but didn't play a game. Alec Chamberlain, who started his career at Sunderland before moving to Everton, joined Liverpool on loan from Stoke City towards the end of the 1994-95 season as understudy to James. Despite never playing, he collected a League Cup winner's medal as an unused substitute in the Coca-Cola Cup final win over Bolton Wanderers.
Mixed Fortunes in the Modern Era
Arthur Melo was brought in by Jurgen Klopp on transfer deadline day in 2022 as a stopgap signing from Juventus. He played just 13 minutes in a 4-1 Champions League defeat at Napoli, and the £4m in loan fees was a complete waste of money. Daniele Padelli was loaned by Sampdoria in January 2007, becoming the first Italian to play for the Reds, but after a poor performance in a 2-2 draw with Charlton Athletic, he returned to Sampdoria.
Steven Caulker, Klopp's first signing, was used as an emergency striker despite being a defender. Nuri Sahin arrived from Real Madrid in 2012 but was frustrated by Brendan Rodgers' decision to play him as a number 10, and the deal was terminated after six months. Paul Jones, a 36-year-old Southampton goalkeeper, was brought in on loan in 2004 and became the club's oldest post-war debutant, keeping a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over Aston Villa.
Mixed Reviews and Near Misses
Javier Manquillo arrived from Atletico Madrid in 2014 but never featured in the Premier League after December of his first season. Ozan Kabak was signed on loan from Schalke in January 2021 with an option to buy for £18m, but ended the season behind Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams. Victor Moses scored on his debut in a 2-2 draw at Swansea City in 2013-14, but his shocking miss in the 3-3 draw with Crystal Palace shattered the Reds' title dream.
Aly Cissokho signed on loan from Valencia in 2013, but found himself back-up to 20-year-old Jon Flanagan. Nicolas Anelka impressed on loan in 2001-02, but a permanent deal collapsed, and he later shone for Manchester City, Bolton and Chelsea.
Top Rated Deals
Javier Mascherano was rated 9/10. Signed on an 18-month loan in January 2007, he was described as a "monster of a player" and helped Liverpool reach the Champions League final. The Reds later signed him permanently for £18.6m, and he was crucial to a title challenge in 2008-09 before leaving for Barcelona for £20m in 2010.
