Liverpool have recently turned into one of the best clubs in the world once again, and the credit goes to their recruitment. The Reds have used a great business model in which they let go of players who want a move, for a steep charge. The club, because of its great scouting network, signs good players who have the potential to reach the top, with a small price tag.
The Reds have sold some great names in the past few years for some huge price tags, which has helped the sign other players. Liverpool have used the money generated from their sales to sign recruits and it has been fantastic for the club.
Let us now have a look at some of the most expensive departures from Liverpool.
#3-RAHIM STERLING –
Arguably one of the best wingers in the Premier League and in the world, Sterling became a superstar while playing for Liverpool. Sterling was signed by Liverpool for a small fee from QPR and was put directly into their youth step-up. Sterling graduated from the Liverpool academy and burst onto the scene and played very well for Liverpool for his last couple of years.
Sterling played a huge role under Brendan Rodgers as the manager fielded him almost every game, despite his age. The winger played 129 games for Liverpool, in which he scored 23 goals and also provided 25 assists. He won a couple of Liverpool Young Player of the Season and also the Golden Boy award in 2014.
In the summer of 2015, Sterling was sold to Manchester City for an initial fee of £44m which was the highest transfer fee ever paid for an English player at the time.
#2-LUIS SUAREZ –
Luis Suarez was once considered as one of the world’s most deadly strikers because of his goalscoring prowess and his versatility. The Uruguayan joined Liverpool as the club’s most expensive signing, from Ajax in the January of 2011, to get in goals for Liverpool. The Reds reportedly paid £22.8m to get the services of Suarez which later proved to be a steal as Suarez became a world-beater at Merseyside.
Luis Suarez, at Liverpool, was a constant source of controversy, be it his racist abuse against Evra or biting incident with Ivanovich. Despite all the bans, the striker scored goals whenever he played for Liverpool and formed a formidable strike partnership with Daniel Sturridge. For Liverpool, Suarez played a total of 133 games in all competitions, scoring 82 goals and providing 47 assists.
The striker won a lot of individual awards at Liverpool and attracted the attention of Barcelona. Suarez was sold to the Blaugrana in the summer of 2014 for a reported fee of €80.72m.
#1-PHILIPPE COUTINHO –
One of the most talented and technically gifted players in the world, Coutinho made his name while playing for the Reds. The Brazilian international joined Liverpool in the January of 2013, for a reported fee of £8.5m from Inter Milan. It was reported that former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez played a huge role in Coutinho’s signing, who instantly got the Liverpool No.10.
The attacking midfielder was perfect for Brendan Rodger’s midfield diamond, as he linked the midfield and the attack. In his later years at Liverpool, Coutinho became the talisman of the scousers and was surely the club’s best player. Coutinho, with Liverpool, has played a total of 201 games in which he has 54 goals and 45 assists to his name.
Coutinho’s exit came as a surprise for many though and was very controversial when he left for Barcelona. The Blaugrana paid a whopping initial fee of £105m, which could rise to £142m in total. He is still one of the costliest players in football and is the most expensive departure in Liverpool history.
Must Read –
- Ranking ten of the worst signings ever made by Liverpool FC
- Liverpool FC’s 5 Most Underrated Players of All Time
- Liverpool’s Most Expensive Signings – Successes And Flops
