Liverpool's last 10 January moves and how they've fared including game changer
The January transfer window has traditionally been a quiet one for Liverpool over the past 11 seasons, with the Reds usually only shelling out on one player.
That strategy has worked well for the Anfield side, with regular starters Virgil van Dijk, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo all arriving in the winter window. Since Jurgen Klopp took charge in 2015, there have been far more hits than misses when it comes to signings.
It remains to be seen who they will move for this month, with Kylian Mbappe being floated as a potential target, though he would not join until the summer. Klopp has made a habit of signing gamechangers in January since taking over from Brendan Rodgers.
In total, he has signed eight players in the winter window, with the German concentrating his recruitment in the summer period. Here, Mirror Football looks at Liverpool's last 10 January signings nd how they've fared at Anfield.
2013: Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho
Daniel Sturridge was signed right at the start of January 2013, with Liverpool paying Chelsea £12million to buy the striker. His career at Anfield started brilliantly, scoring 35 goals in his first 18 months and helping to fire Liverpool on a title charge in the 2013/2014 season.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
But the goals soon dried up, with Klopp's arrival as manager heralding his transition out of the team. The Englishman was released after Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019, with the striker now having retired.
Also arriving that month was Philippe Coutinho, with the Reds paying £8.5m to secure his services from Inter Milan. The Brazilian became a modern-day icon at Anfield, scoring 54 goals and notching 45 assists during his five years on Merseyside.
Though he was not able to win any silverware with the Reds, Coutinho played a starring role in their 2013/2014 title challenge, as well as impressing in Klopp's first years as boss. He would leave in 2018, joining Barcelona for a fee rising to £142m.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should be Liverpool's top target this month? Comment below.
2016: Marko Grujić and Steven Caulker
Steven Caulker made a bizarre loan move to Liverpool in January 2016 (Liverpool FC via Getty)It took three years for Liverpool to make another signing in the January window. But if the 2013 window was a success, the January of 2016 quickly turned out to be a dismal failure.
The first player signed that month was Marko Grujic, with the midfielder arriving from Red Star Belgrade. The Serbian would make just 16 appearances in all competitions during his four years at Anfield, before he was sold to Porto in 2021.
The second move to be completed now looks to be a totally bizarre decision. Steven Caulker joined on loan from QPR, but the centre-back was only deployed as an emergency striker in his three games for the Reds before returing to Loftus Road that summer.
2018: Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk has become a Liverpool legendArguably one of the greatest January transfer moves of all time by any club came with Virgil van Dijk's arrival at Liverpool. The Reds shelled out £75m to sign him from Southampton in 2018 and he quickly proved to be a gamechanger.
The signing of Van Dijk kickstarted Jurgen Klopp's reign, with the Dutchman becoming one of the best defenders in the Premier League. He has won the Premier League, the Champions League, the FA Cup, the League Cup, the Super Cup and the Club World Cup.
With Jordan Henderson and James Milner leaving last summer, Van Dijk was promoted to captain. He has led the Reds on a surprise title challenge, with Klopp's side three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Everton chiefs face transfer backlash from fans after deadline day disaster
2020: Takumi Minamino
Takumi Minamino struggled for opportunities under Jurgen KloppSigned in January 2020 to add cover in attacking areas, Takumi Minamino struggled for chances at Anfield. He made 14 appearances over the course of the second-half of his debut campaign.
But with Klopp favouring other players, he was allowed to join Southampton on loan in January 2021. He went on to make 10 appearances for the Saints before returning to Anfield.
Despite having gained valuable Premier League experience at St Mary's, he still found game-time hard to come by. That led to Liverpool selling him to Monaco last summer to call time on his disappointing spell.
2021: Ben Davies and Ozan Kabak
Ozan Kabak and Ben Davies made unexpected moves to Liverpool after an injury crisis (Getty Images)It is safe to say that the January transfer window of 2021 is one of the strangest in Liverpool's history. After being hit by a major injury crisis in defence, the Reds grew desperate in their search for reinforcements.
That led to the deadline day signing of Ben Davies from Championship side Preston. He failed to make an apperance for the Reds after his arrival though and was sold to Rangers last summer following a loan spell at Sheffield United.
The other player signed that month was Ozan Kabak, on a loan move from Schalke. He endured a disastrous debut against Leicester and struggled to regain his place, with Liverpool declining to make his move permanent that summer.
2022: Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz has starred for Liverpool since arriving in January 2022 (Getty Images)Along with Van Dijk, Luis Diaz has been one of Liverpool's most successful January signings. After hearing Spurs were interested in the winger, the Reds accelrated their plans and secured his signature from Porto.
He enjoyed a brilliant debut season, scoring six goals and notching five assists to win the FA Cup and League Cup. Unfortunately, the Colombian suffered a devastating injury against Arsenal in October 2022, which ruled him out for seven months.
He returned in April 2023, though was then forced to deal with the kidnapping of his parents in November. Diaz has continued to play a key role for the Reds though and scored a crucial equaliser at Luton.
2023: Cody Gakpo
Liverpool's last January signing also saw them claim a scalp over bitter rivals Manchester United. The Reds were able to complete a deal for Cody Gakpo before the 2023 window opened, with his arrival confirmed on New Year's Day.
He earned the love of Reds fans with a brace in the 7-0 demolition of United in March and has now staked a place as one of Klopp's regular starters. He has now scored 16 goals and nocthed six assists for Liverpool as he quickly proved to be a successful signing.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
