Transfer talk is still a hot topic of debate for football fans on Merseyside, even after the January sales. The second window is always an interesting one, with some teams choosing to spend big to improve their squad, some only make one or two changes, others opt to stick with their squad.
Since Jurgen Klopp joined in 2015, Liverpool have tended to do most of their business in the summer. However, some years have seen big money deals that have shaped the rest of the season. Ranked from one to eight, here are the January deals under the Liverpool Manager:
Number One – January 2018:
An obvious one for Liverpool fans, January 2018 saw the departure of Brazilian striker Phillippe Coutinho. He joined Barcelona for a reported €135 million, a boost to the coffers vital for the success that followed, bankrolling the signing of arguably the best centre half in the world, Virgil Van Dijk. He joined the Reds in the new year for a record breaking €84.65 million from Southampton.
The Dutch defender would go onto becoming one of the best players in the team and helped guide Liverpool to their sixth Champions League trophy in the 2018/19 season and led them to the Premier League Title in the 2019/20 season. This must be the best bit of winter transfer business done since Klopp joined, maybe even ever.
Here are all the arrivals and departures of that window:
In:
- Virgil Van Dijk – €84.65 million
Out:
- Phillippe Countinho – €135.00m – Barcelona
- Jon Flanagan – Loan – Bolton
- Marko Grujic – Loan – Cardiff
- Ryan Kent – Loan – Bristol City
- Lazar Markovic – Loan – Anderlecht
- Daniel Sturridge – Loan – West Brom
- Harry Wilson – Loan – Hull City
Number Two – January 2022:
This window saw Liverpool add to their already impressive attack as they brought in Columbian International, Luiz Diaz from Porto for €47 million. The Reds labelled Diaz as a ‘top target’ and they won the race to sign him with other top clubs showing interest in the winger. The addition was for both the short and long term, as he provided cover for Sadio Mane and Mohammed Salah as they competed at the African Cup of Nations. 25 years old at the time of signing, his prime years still to come.
Nathaniel Phillips and Neco Williams also left the club on loan deals where both players got much needed playing time which they weren’t getting at Anfield. Williams had a great showing in the Championship for Fulham and has since signed for Nottingham Forrest.
Here are all the arrivals and departures of that window:
In:
- Luiz Diaz €47 – million – FC Porto
Out:
- Nat Phillips – loan – Bournemouth
- Neco Williams – Fulham
Number three – January 2020:
Despite only making one signing and sending a few players out on loan, the 2020 January transfer window was a success. Liverpool went on to win the Premier League for the first time. At the start of the year Liverpool were in a position where no signings were necessary. However, the €8.5 million release clause of Takumi Minamino from RB Salzburg was too good to turn down. The Japanese international went on to become a crucial squad player and played a key role in winning the Carabao Cup in 2022.
Loans moves were also secured for young Rhian Brewster who Liverpool eventually sold to Sheffield United for €26.00m and Phillips to Stuttgart in the Bundesliga.
Here are all the arrivals and departures of that window:
In:
- Takumi Minamino – €8.5 million – RB Salzburg
Out:
- Rhian Brewster – loan – Swansea City
- Nathaniel Phillips – VfB Stuttgart
- Herbie Kane – loan – Hull City
- Allan Rodrigues de Souza – undisclosed fee – Atletico Mineiro
Number four – January 2023:
Liverpool signed Dutch wonderkid Cody Gakpo for €42 million in the most recent window. The talent from PSV impressed at the Qatar World Cup with three goals in five appearances and won Dutch player of the year 2021-2022. Gakpo has shown promise in the Red of Liverpool and could prove to be key player for years to come.
Many fans feel the current squad needs to be bolstered additions, and were crying out for more signings. During the window many midfielders were linked with a move to Anfield but none came to fruition.
Here are all the arrivals and departures of that window:
In:
- Cody Gakpo – €42 million – PSV
Out:
- Jake Cain – Swindon – undisclosed fee
Number five – January 2019:
Much like the 2020 window, Liverpool did not feel it necessary to add an already performing squad. They sat comfortably on top of the league at the start of 2019 and Klopp said there would only be additions in ‘exceptional circumstances.’
Liverpool FC on Twitter: “CHAMPIONS OF EUROPE. 🏆 #SixTimes https://t.co/Vu4pJ6YdaC” / Twitter
Choosing to leave the market alone, and extend the contracts of key players such as, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson turned out to be the right decision. The squad continued their great form and went on to win the Champions League for the sixth time in the club’s history.
Dominic Solanke also left Anfield for AFC Bournemouth for €21.20 million which was a good return for a player who was struggling to get game time ahead of Liverpool’s excellent front three.
Here are all the arrivals and departures of that window:
In: N/A
Out:
- Pedro Chriivella – Loan – Extremadura
- Nathaniel Clyne – Loan – Bournemouth
- Ovie Ejaria – Loan – Reading
- Lazar Markovic – loan – Fulham
- Liam Miller – Loan – Kilmarnock
- Dominic Solanke – €21.20m – AFC Bournemouth
Number six – January 2016:
This was Klopp’s first transfer window as Liverpool manager, but he didn’t let that get him too excited. The new boss wanted time to assess the current group of players before making any drastic changes to the squad. Despite this, many fans were hoping Klopp would get back into contact with some old friends at Dortmund to see if they fancied joining him in Merseyside. But a very uneventful January put these hopes to bed, and no German counterparts joined Klopp in making the trip to Liverpool.
The only permanent addition made was Marko Grujic for €7.00m and he was loaned back to Red Star Belgrade for the rest of the season.
Here are all the arrivals and departures of that window:
In:
- Marko Grujic – €7.00m – Red Star Belgrade
- Steven Caulker – loan – QPR
Out:
- Ryan Fulton – Loan – Portsmouth
Number seven – January 2017:
This was Klopp’s second winter in charge, and it was a quiet January at Anfield as Liverpool chose not to sign anyone. At the time fans were calling for some reinforcements up top with winger, Sadio Mane, out competing with Senegal in AFCON. Although the reds made an improvement on the last season finishing fourth in the league, a signing or two could have put them in title contention upon reflection.
There were a few outgoings with Lazar Markovic joining Hull City on loan and Mamadou Sakho following suit by joining Crystal Palace on loan.
Here are all the arrivals and departures of that window:
In: N/A
Out:
- Pedro Chirivella – Loan – Go Ahead Eagles Loan
- Tiago Ilori – €4.30m – Reading
- Lazar Markovic – Loan – Hull City
- Cameron Brannagan – Loan – Fleetwood Town
- Mamadou Sakho – Loan – Crystal Palace
Number eight – January 2021:
The worst January transfer window, has to be 2021. On December 31st Liverpool were in 1st place despite injury struggles. As the season progressed the lack of depth and first team quality players became evident. Klopp had to rely on youth and fringe players like Rhys Williams, Nathaniel Phillips and Jordan Henderson even featured as a centre half.
Fans wanted the January window to be the opportunity to resolve squad depth issues, by signing first team quality defenders and fill other positions too, but in the new year, the Reds began their dip in form and the lack of investment ultimately led to the title slipping away.
Liverpool eventually snapped up two players on deadline day in, Ben Davies from Preston North End and Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke. These were not the calibre of players the supporters wanted, and Davies did not play one minute for the Merseysiders.
Here are all the arrivals and departures of that window:
In:
- Ben Davies – €1.85m – Preston North End
- Ozan Kabak – Loan – FC Schalke 04
Out:
- Takumi Minamino – Loan – Southampton
- Sepp Van Den Berg – Loan – Preston North End
- Liam Miller – Loan – Charlton Athletic
- Adam Lewis – Loan – Plymouth Argyle
