January transfer window has proven to be a difficult market to dominate and Liverpool have at times made missteps in their pursuit of reinforcements.
Since the winter window opened in the 2002/03 campaign, the Reds have made some disastrous signings. Andy Carroll, Steven Caulker and Ozan Kabak have been notable clangers and the list doesn’t stop there.
However, his miscalculations have been canceled out by some truly transformative signings that have arrived as late Christmas presents, many of which have spearheaded Liverpool’s revolution in the modern era.
here they are LiverpoolThe five best January signings.
Luis DÃaz performed exactly the role expected of a winter signing. Arriving midway through 2021/22 as Liverpool chased a historic quadruple, the Colombian breathed new life into the Merseysiders, helping the club to a domestic cup double while not falling short in the Premier League and Champions League.
He provided six goals and five assists in his first half-season at Anfield and has gone on to produce higher numbers in his later years, barring an injury in the 2022/23 campaign.
The indefatigable winger stakes his claim as one of the most devastating men in the worldwith blistering speed, an endless work rate and flashy feet. He is far from done with his quest for silverware with the Reds.
While Daniel Sturridge’s career was full of agonizing and relentless injuriesthe fluid center forward was undeniably exceptional in his pomp. Liverpool enjoyed the height of their powers after striking a £12m deal with rivals Chelsea in 2013.
Sturridge oozed class during his days in red and boasted a left foot capable of tearing down defences, with his first full season at Anfield ending with 24 goals and seven assists in all competitions as Liverpool came close to a surprise Premier League triumph under Brendan Rodgers.
The England striker’s magic was less consistent thereafter as fitness issues began to take their toll, but he still finished his Liverpool career with 67 goals in 160 outings.
The arrival of Philippe Coutinho it was not met with great fanfare. The young Brazilian was an unknown quantity that Inter allowed to leave the San Siro for just £8.5m. However, he quickly became one of the most exceptional and profitable signings of the Premier League era.
Coutinho quickly found his feet at Anfield, earning a reputation for frequent moments of unadulterated magic. Ingenious skills and defense-splitting passes caught the eye, but a long-range world rush represented the wonder of Liverpool’s diminutive playmaker.
Coutinho provided no less than 12 goals and assists combined in his four full seasons at Anfield, and even proved a transformative exit as Liverpool snapped up £142m for him. That money was wisely reinvested as Jurgen Klopp’s Reds became a conquering force.
Speaking of witchcraft without filters, between Luis Suárez. It’s hard to imagine expectations were higher for Andy Carroll’s £35m than £22.8m Suarez when the duo signed for Liverpool in January 2011, with the Uruguayan not only outscoring Carroll by a ridiculous margin , but also flourished. one of the best players of the reds.
While on-pitch controversies somewhat tarnished his reputation on Merseyside, there can be no doubting Suarez’s ridiculous talent. He made the impossible look simple with exceptional regularity, whether it was gravity-defying touches or lightning strikes from range.
He formed a formidable partnership with the aforementioned Sturridge as Liverpool edged closer to Premier League glory in 2013/14 and what he lacked in longevity on Merseyside he made up for with impressive production and consistency.
82 goals and 29 assists in 133 appearances is all that needs to be said.
It could be argued that no individual signing has been more transformative in Liverpool’s history Virgil van Dijk. There were question marks over his £75m transfer fee, but the imperious Dutchman soon scoffed at that price.
A Merseyside derby winner on his debut warned Liverpool fans of his powers, with the now Reds skipper guiding the club to Champions League and Premier League triumphs as he became the the best central in the world. In an all-time Liverpool XI, Van Dijk would likely round out the back four.
The towering defender made battling the world’s most prolific centre-forwards seem like nothing more than a game, and has formed impressive partnerships with all those who have regularly lined up alongside him at the heart of the backline .
