Liverpool will go up against two of their talented former players tonight in the Nou Camp as Luis Suarez and Phillipe Coutinho line up against their former side for the first time. Both players departed for hefty fees as Suarez left following the failed title challenge in 2014 for £75m, and Coutinho was brought in to replace Neymar, for a whopping £142m.
But just how did Brendan Rodgers, and then Jurgen Klopp, spend the huge amount of money the club had been given?
Let’s start with good old Brendan back in 2014. The club had just missed out on the Premier League title after that slip and the departure of Luis Suarez meant some top talent needed to be brought in.
Brendan Rodgers’ Signings
Adam Lallana: £25m (Jul 1, 2014)
On the face of it a good signing. Lallana had shone for Southampton in the previous two seasons and it seemed like a good move for Brendan to bring in a creative midfielder. Five seasons later and he is still there, but injuries have hampered his career. Not an awful signing but not great given his potential.
Verdict: 5/10
Dejan Lovren - £20m (Jul 27, 2014)
Another Southampton man. £20m for Lovren seemed a tad steep for the Croatian but he has turned out to be a decent signing for Southampton. He may be much maligned by some fans but he is a decent enough centre-back in the Premier League.
Verdict: 6/10
Alberto Moreno - £12m (Aug 13, 2014)
Dear me. Alberto Moreno. He has been at Anfield for five years now. The forgettable five. Incredibly he has made 90 appearances for Liverpool in that time with the left-back role open in the side until Andy Robertson came in. He may have only cost £12m but almost every penny has been a waste.
Verdict: 2/10
Emre Can - £10.5m (Jul 1, 2014)
A quality player. The classy German midfielder joined from Bayer Leverkusen for just over £10m and was a top-class player for Liverpool. It was unfortunate that they lost him to Juventus on a free in 2018 but he did leave Liverpool with an unforgettable overhead kick against Watford.
Verdict: 7/10
Rickie Lambert - £4m (Jul 1, 2014)
It was a dream come true for Rickie Lambert to sign for his boyhood club and he was one of the better strikers in the league for Southampton the season before. However, at the age of 32 he looked past it and only scored two goals for the club. Hard to be too harsh on him as he signed for a small fee.
Verdict: 4/10
Mario Balotelli - £16m (Jun 30, 2016)
Two years later Rodgers was on the hunt for more strikers after the disappointment of Lambert. Mario Balotelli joined the club for £16m and had the talent to lead the Liverpool line, but unfortunately, his attitude meant the risk did not pay off.
Verdict: 1/10
Divock Origi - £10m (Jul 29, 2014)
Origi has been patient at Liverpool. He spent his first few seasons out on loan but this season has impressed off the bench, scoring a crazy winner against Everton after a Jordan Pickford error. Still only 24, he is a good squad player for now and still has time to develop.
Verdict: 5/10
Onto Jurgen Klopp who received a huge chunk of money in January 2018 when Philippe Coutinho was let go. He spent it slightly wiser than his predecessor.
Was it ever really in doubt?
With a 0-0 with Everton looking inevitable, Origi capitalised on Pickford's error to head it in. Queue bedlam and Klopp on the pitch 😂😂
Jurgen Klopp’s Signings
Virgil van Dijk: £75m (Jan 1, 2018)
What is there left to say about Virgil van Dijk? The PFA Player of the Year has been phenomenal for Liverpool since arriving from Southampton and taken their defence from shaky to solid. A heroic signing, winning a trophy with Liverpool would make him a 10/10.
Verdict: 9/10
Naby Keita: £60m (Jul 1, 2018)
An interesting one for Klopp. Keita is clearly talented but at £60m Liverpool fans could have expected more from the midfielder. He has failed to nail down a first team place so far but at 24 has time to develop. A tough one to judge.
Verdict: 5/10
Xherdan Shaqiri: £14m (Jul 13, 2018)
Another player who has strengthened Liverpool’s squad. Shaqiri has also had to be patient with limited gametime available but when he has featured he has done well. A snip at £12m the Swiss international knew he was unlikely to get past Mo Salah in the right wing position but has been a good signing off the bench.
Verdict: 7/10
Alisson: £62.5m (Jul 19, 2018)
Having had to put up with Loris Karius the season before meant that most goalkeepers would be an upgrade for this season. Klopp plumped for the big money signing of Roma keeper Alisson Becker and it has been another fantastic signing for the Reds. Liverpool have only conceded 20 goals in the league this season and that is due to their outstanding goalkeeper and defence.
Verdict: 8/10
Fabinho: £45m (Jul 1, 2018)
The Brazilian’s signing came from nowhere in summer. No rumours or anything before he was officially announced. He has been a good signing for the Reds, solid in midfield or defence, a player unlikely to make a mistake.
Verdict: 7/10
