Liverpool's five best and worst January transfers including 2013 bargains
Jurgen Klopp is unlikely to see too much change to Liverpool ’s squad this month.
The Reds may be in prime position for a Premier League title push, yet despite juggling a number of injuries, no seismic moves are on the cards and already recruitment talk is shifting towards what might happen in the summer.
But a quiet January has not always been on the menu at Anfield, with the winter transfer window providing some of the Reds' finest purchases - as well as some of those they'd rather forget. Here are five of the best and a quintet of flops from Liverpool’s winter signings through the years.
The best
Luis Suarez Arrived at Anfield in January 2011. Banned from playing because of his first biting incident but the Uruguayan went on to become a Kop hero, winning the PFA Player of the Year award, Golden Boot and European Golden Shoe. Having scored 82 goals in 133 appearances, Liverpool also turned a £40m profit when selling him to Barcelona after three and a bit seasons.
Philippe Coutinho Joined from Inter Milan for £8.5m in 2013 and after five and a half years he was sold to Barcelona for an obscene £105m. In that time Coutinho delivered 54 goals in 201 appearances and he was a star turn for Brendan Rodgers ’ nearly men.
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Virgil van Dijk Hailed as the final piece to the jigsaw as Jurgen Klopp ’s team ended the long, long wait for a Premier League title. The Dutchman was imperious during that 2019-20 campaign, perhaps better again a year earlier on route to the Champions League, while he has also lifted both domestic cups. At £75m, Van Dijk was not cheap but his impact has been seismic.
Daniel Sturridge Came to Anfield in the same window as Coutinho, from Chelsea for £12m, and bagged 67 goals in six and a bit campaigns. A bulk of those arrived in 2013-14, when only Suarez scored more Premier League goals. The now impressive TV pundit was part of the Champions League winning squad in 2019.
Milan Baros A £3.2m signing in 2002, he was not always first choice but started that Champions League final in Istanbul and memorably dropped the trophy during celebrations, causing a dent. "We decided not to get it repaired because it is part of the character of the cup," a spokesperson said.
The worst
Andy Carroll moved to Liverpool from Newcastle in January 2011 (Getty Images)Ozan Kabak Turkey international was signed on loan in 2021 with an £18m option to buy included. But he could not impress during the season played without fans and returned to Schalke, who loaned him back out to Norwich City. Now a role player at Hoffenheim.
Andy Carroll Arrived on deadline day as a then club-record £35m replacement for Fernando Torres - who was at least sold for £50m - but the big centre forward had an injury that kept him out of action for another month. He then scored twice in seven league games. The following season Carroll featured in all but three league fixtures but could only find the net four times and was then moved on to West Ham, initially on loan before a £15m sale.
Jan Kromkamp Half of a swap deal with defender Josemi in 2006, the Netherlands full back made 13 appearances in the Premier League but was quickly deemed to have the pace of a turtle and joined PSV Eindhoven within eight months.
Marko Grujic Joined from Red Star Belgrade, to whom he was initially loaned back, and made just eight appearances across three years while also being sent on loan to Cardiff City and Hertha Berlin. He has been a bit-part player at Porto for the past four seasons.
Tiago Ilori Portuguese defender born in Hampstead, signed from Sporting Lisbon in 2013 but did not play in a senior fixture before departing for Reading in 2017. There were disappointing loans at Granada, Bordeaux and Aston Villa during that time. Recently signed a short-term deal with Belenenses having barely played in the intervening years.
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