Will Adam Lallana be a success at Anfield, or an expensive flop…
SEE ALSO: Liverpool’s worst ever signings!
On Tuesday morning, Adam Lallana completed his £25 million move from Southampton to Liverpool, in a move that makes the 26-year-old midfielder the second most expensive player in the club’s history.
The Reds have a mixed record with big-money buy’s, with a wide range of successful and disappointing purchases. Here’s a look at the ten most expensive signings in the club’s history, and a review of how they fared during their time at Anfield.
10) Jordan Henderson – £16 million (Success)
Now 24, Henderson made a slow start to his Liverpool career after his big-money move from Sunderland in 2011. However, he’s steadily grown into his role at Anfield, and is now an integral part of Brendan Rodgers’ midfield, as well as an England regular. With well over 100 games already under his belt for the club, his future is incredibly bright.
9) Alberto Aquilani – £17.1 million (Failure)
Arguably the most disappointing big-money signing ever made by Liverpool, Aquilani managed just 28 Liverpool appearances between joining the club from Roma in 2009, and departing for Fiorentina in 2012. Beset with injury during his debut campaign, loan spells followed at Juventus and AC Milan before his permanent departure back to Italy on a free transfer.
8) Glen Johnson – £17.5 million (Success)
Johnson has been a loyal servant to Liverpool over the past five years, playing almost 200 games while also establishing himself as England’s first-choice right back. Bought from Portsmouth in 2009, the 29-year-old’s unrelenting attacking surges down the right flank have regularly served his club well, despite criticism regarding his defending.
7) Stewart Downing – £18.5 million (Failure)
Bought off the back of impressive spells with Middlesbrough and Aston Villa, Downing had a fairly miserable two years at Anfield, despite playing almost 100 games. Brendan Rodgers deployed Downing as a left-back after taking over the manager’s reigns from Kenny Dalglish, before eventually allowing him to leave for £5 million to West Ham United in 2013.
6) Javier Mascherano – £18.6 million (Success)
After starting the 2006-07 season playing with West Ham United, Mascherano finished the year in a Champions League final, with the Reds losing 2-1 to AC Milan. The Argentine international made his initial loan move permanent in the summer of 2007 , and enjoyed three more successful years at Anfield before departing for Barcelona for £17.25 million.
5) Robbie Keane – £19 million (Failure)
Keane lasted just seven months at Anfield before being sold back to Tottenham, albeit for £3 million less than he was bought for. Keane played 28 games for the Reds, scoring seven times. The player never lived up the famous number seven he wore on his back, and is arguably the least successful player to have worn the iconic shirt.
4) Fernando Torres – £20.2 million (Success)
Torres burst onto the scene at Anfield in 2007, following his signing from Atletico Madrid. He scored 33 times in his debut campaign, and netted another 48 goals in the following two and a half years. He was sold to Chelsea on the final day of the January 2011 transfer window, with the Reds pocketing a record £50 million fee. Unfortunately for Torres, he has thus far been unable to recreate his Liverpool form at Stamford Bridge.
3) Luis Suarez – £22.8 million (Success)
As one iconic striker left Anfield, so another arrived, as a young Uruguayan arrived from Ajax to fill the boots of the departed Torres. Suarez has scored 82 goals in 133 games for the club, and was rewarded with the PFA Player of the Year Award at the end of last season. His well-documented moments of controversy are the only downside to one of the best players to ever play for the club.
2) Adam Lallana – £25 million (?)
Will this England international be a success or failure? Southampton’s former club-captain has undergone a meteoric rise from League 1 to Anfield over the last three years, and will now be expected to deliver after Brendan Rodgers paid out £25 million to secure his services. A dynamic attacking midfielder, the Red’s faithful will be hopeful he can bring success to the club.
1) Andy Carroll – £35 million (Failure)
While the astronomical pressure on Carroll to justify his fee cannot be discounted, the big striker became a big flop at Anfield. After a successful spell at Newcastle United, the youngster signed for Liverpool on deadline day in the 2011 January transfer window, alongside Luis Suarez. He was plagued by injuries on Merseyside, and managed just six league goals in Liverpool colours before departing for West Ham United, who paid £15 million.
