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After lifting his first Premier League title, just one campaign after his sixth Champions League success, it could be argued that securing the services of coach Jürgen Klopp is Liverpool’s most important signing in the last three decades.
The charismatic German’s five years on Merseyside have been remarkable, with the Reds playing the most brilliant football Anfield has ever seen.
Led by the notorious offensive trio of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool have given defenders across the continent many sleepless nights in recent years.
However, fighting to stay on top of European football is no easy task.
Few clubs on the Champions League circuit can boast the kind of smart deals Liverpool have made in recent transfer windows thanks to players like Michael Edwards, the club’s sporting director who has achieved cult hero status among the Anfield faithful for their cunning dealings.
Here are the club’s latest arrivals and departures, and how they fared.
Liverpool transfers
Diogo Jota (£ 40.2 million, Lobos)
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
Acquired from the Premier League team Wolves, Jota has gone live since arriving at Liverpool in September.
Some questions arose about the rate of a forward who recorded eight goal contributions in 34 games last season, but the Portuguese international has done light work of his time with the current Champions so far, scoring nine times in his first 17 appearances.
Thiago Alcantara (£ 19.8 million, Bayern Munich)
Thiago, one of the most aesthetically pleasing coaches in the modern game, has enjoyed stints in some of the best midfields in the world.
Thiago graduated from the renowned “La Masia” academy in Barcelona and went on to light up the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich.
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
His signing from the German giants further reinforces Liverpool’s intention to retain their Premier League, adding grace and finesse to Klopp’s industrious midfield, although he has been out of action since the Merseyside derby in October.
Konstantinos Tsimikas (£ 11.7 million, Olympiacos)
Although the 24-year-old left-back’s name doesn’t carry the same weight as Jota or Thiago, Liverpool fans can rest easy knowing that Andy Robertson has a more than capable replacement.
Acquired from Greek champion Olympiacos, Tsimikas has made eight appearances for the Greek national team, earning one assist on his international debut.
The full-back already has experience playing outside his home country, completing assignments with teams from Denmark and the Netherlands.
Takumi Minamino (£ 7.6 million, Red Bull Salzburg)
(Image: Getty Images)
Having only joined in January 2020, Minamino has already made Liverpool history as the first Japanese player to represent the club.
Signed from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg after Liverpool were the first to activate their buyout clause, Minamino made his debut against fierce local rivals Everton in an FA Cup third-round clash.
Minamino scored his first goal for the Reds in their Community Shield loss to Arsenal in August, his late draw sending the tie on penalties. He then scored his first Premier League goal in December.
Who do you think has been Liverpool’s best signing in recent years? Let us know in the comments below.
Liverpool departures
Rhian Brewster (Sheffield United,£ 23 million)
(Image: POOL / AFP via Getty Images)
A name that was always on the lips of every Liverpool fan who spoke enthusiastically about the prospects of youth, Brewster never managed to fully integrate himself into Klopp’s permanent plans.
At the tender age of 20, Brewster opted to blow up the nest and part ways with Liverpool after five years, in favor of Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United, where minutes have been much less difficult to come by, although he has yet to open his account to blades.
Having never played a Premier League match for the Reds, Liverpool may consider securing £ 23m for the youngster as a job well done.
Dejan Lovren (Zenit Saint Petersburg,£ 10.8 million)
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
An often divisive character in Liverpool, Lovren enjoyed six years in Merseyside in which he won the Premier League and the Champions League.
His last gasp in winning the Europa League against Borussia Dortmund to see Liverpool reach the 2016 Europa League semi-final, the most remarkable moment of his tenure in Merseyside.
He now practices his trade for Russian giants Zenit St. Petersburg after a £ 10 million move last summer. He made his debut in the Russian Super Cup, which Zenit won, and has already scored for the reigning champions.
Adam Lallana (Brighton & Hove Albion, free)
(Image: Pool via REUTERS)
One of the most popular figures to recently leave the club, Lallana was always valued by boss Jürgen Klopp for her expertise.
Having spent six years at Liverpool, Lallana left with 18 goals, including a memorable draw at Manchester United in 2019.
He eventually set off on a free transfer to the Premier League team Brighton & Hove Albion, where his contract lasts for three years.
Nathaniel Clyne (Crystal Palace, free)
(Image: James Maloney / Liverpool Echo)
Having spent five years at the club, Clyne’s time in Liverpool is largely a tale of two halves. Having remained mostly fit in his early years, Clyne’s final days in Liverpool were marred by continuing injury problems.
With zero appearances for the title-winning team, Liverpool finally confirmed that their contract would not be renewed.
Since then Clyne has returned to the club where it all began for him, spending the first four years of his professional career at Crystal Palace, making 122 appearances, now he has returned to Selhurst Park on a short-term contract.
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