“That night in Istanbul!” the perennial go-to chant for every Liverpool fan, was made possible by one manager. The best days that Kopites have seen in this century have come under the management of Rafa Benitez.
The days when Javier Mascherano, Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard used to line up with Fernando Torres ahead and the likes of Sami Hyypia and Jamie Carragher behind, Benitez gave the Reds some days to remember.
After the Spaniard left the club in 2010, four managers have tried to lead Anfield back to its glory days. However, apart from one second-place finish under Brendan Rodgers and one European Cup final with Jurgen Klopp, none of them have come even close to replicating the success that Benitez enjoyed with Liverpool.
Also read: Top 5 Liverpool signings of all time
Despite that, the managers have made some signings that have benefited the club and a select few of them might even go down in Liverpool folklore.
Here, we look at the top 5 signings that Liverpool have made post-Benitez; some gems from amongst high profile flops and slightly above average players that will be remembered at Anfield for some time to come.
#5 Jordan Henderson
The least talented player on this list and yet probably the most hard-working, Henderson was one of the early signings that Liverpool legend Kenny Dalglish made, the Englishman arriving in Merseyside from the Stadium of Light in a £20 million deal, which saw the £7M rated striker David N’Gog move to Sunderland, with the rest being paid in cash.
Henderson’s initial season with the club was torrid, with new manager Brendan Rodgers telling the midfielder that he would be allowed to move to Fulham - a deal which “Hendo” rejected, choosing to fight for his place. The rest, though not exactly history, is pretty well known.
Starting and finishing the 12-13 season strongly, Henderson really established himself in the 13-14 season where he was an integral part of the title challenging squad. In fact, the ex-Sunderland man played 35 straight games in the league till he was sent off against Manchester City - his presence was sorely missed in the infamous Chelsea match later on.
Henderson took over Liverpool’s captaincy from their most inspirational captain Steven Gerrard three years after he was told he could leave the club. From being labelled as a headless chicken to being the captain of this famous old club, the story of Jordan Henderson is amazing and therefore he warrants himself a place in this list - a classic tale of a man punching above his weight and succeeding due to sheer hard work and dedication.
You may yet doubt his ability, but no one can take away from him that armband that has been held by true legends of the game in the past.
#4 Roberto Firmino
Signed last June for a fee of £29 million from Hoffenheim, Roberto Firmino was a well-known figure to Bundesliga watchers and it was about time that the Brazilian switched to a bigger club. Brendan Rodgers brought the player to Anfield in what would be his last window with the club, and it is perhaps one of the best deals Liverpool have made in a while.
Scoring 11 goals in his inaugural season for the club, Firmino made a slow start to the season and came under some fire, but that was mainly due to him being used in the wrong role by Rodgers. The arrival of Jurgen Klopp changed things, as Firmino was moved to his preferred position and started showing the fans as to why the club had paid that amount for him.
His performance against Manchester City away where he combined so beautifully with his Brazilian teammate Philippe Coutinho, his brace against Arsenal and his goal against Manchester United in the Europa League were the highlights of his first season with the Reds.
Firmino ended the 15/16 season as Liverpool’s top scorer in the league, being the only player to reach the double-digit mark in the competition. He is Klopp’s go-to forward now, having already been involved in 9 goals this season, and his partnership with Coutinho is something all oppositions are scared of.
Truly a great signing, and a brilliant player in the years to come.
#3 Daniel Sturridge
Chelsea fans still wonder as to why their club let go of this man.
Daniel Sturridge was bought by Liverpool for a mere £12 million in January 2013, which seems like a bargain in hindsight. One-half of the famous “SAS” duo (Suarez and Sturridge), he scored 21 goals in 26 appearances in his first full season with the Reds, almost leading the club to their first Premier League title.
While the influence of Luis Suarez helped his game a lot, Suarez himself would tell you how important Sturridge was for the team that season. Overall, the striker has been involved in more than 70 goals in his 103 appearances for the club.
Sturridge has also been the difference in several big games for Liverpool, with the former Chelsea man having scored four times against Manchester United and Liverpool’s only goal in the Europa league final amongst a few important goals in his time, which also includes a brace against Everton and a screamer against his old team Manchester City. His pace is his X-factor, while his finishing is probably the best in Liverpool right now.
Although injuries have marred his time at Anfield, Sturridge is one of the fastest Liverpool players to reach the 50 goal mark, and on his day the striker is as lethal as any other in the league.
The frequency of his injuries have lessened since Klopp took over, and while his future at the club is uncertain due to the manager playing Firmino as a false 9 and preferring him over the Englishman, Sturridge’s quality is in no doubt and his prolific 13/14 season shall be remembered for a long time if he is to depart anytime soon.
Not to mention, Liverpool stand to gain a profit from the sale of the former Chelsea man should they decide to offload him.
#2 Philippe Coutinho
Bargains do not come any better than this.
Possibly Brendan Rodgers’ biggest masterstroke during his time at Liverpool, the manager bought a young Brazilian from Inter Milan to England for a price of £8.5M, which now seems nothing when compared to the player’s current market value.
Phillipe Coutinho arrived at Anfield in the same window as Daniel Sturridge, and the diminutive Brazilian has since then become arguably Liverpool’s best, if not their most important player. With his small frame and lack of physicality, it was a doubt in the minds of many Kop faithful as to how the Brazilian would adjust to life in the Premier League. All those doubts were soon cleared.
Now known famously as “the little magician”, Coutinho is perhaps Liverpool’s best midfield signing since Xabi Alonso, and his long rangers remind one of a prime Steven Gerrard. Having scored more important goals than anyone else since he was signed and always the man for the big occasion, his creativity and his ability to pull an absolute rabbit out of the hat is integral to Liverpool.
Having scored stunners against many Premier League teams, the ex-Inter man is now in the heart of every Liverpool attack and is the first name on the teamsheet when fit. And he’s only getting better. His talent and magical skill set have drawn praise from many legends, and it is difficult to say whether Liverpool will be able to hold on to him for long unless they get Champions League football and an elusive trophy.
Even if the Brazilian departs, the club will sell him for no less than almost six times what they bought him for. Overall, Coutinho has been one of the best bargains not just in Liverpool, but in Premier League history.
#1 Luis Suarez
Never in any doubt, was it?
Although the only player on this list who is currently not a Liverpool player, Luis Suarez is arguably the best player to put on that Red shirt in the Premier League era alongside Steven Gerrard, and without a doubt one of the best Liverpool players of all time.
Signed for £22.8 million by King Kenny as one of the two players to replace the outgoing Fernando Torres, no one quite imagined that the Uruguayan would overshadow the man he was brought to replace. A magician with the ball, comparisons with the manager who bought him did not seem so far-fetched two seasons down the line.
Having finished second in the PFA Player of the Year poll in the 12-13 season, the 13-14 season saw Suarez breaking record after record as he had one of the best individual seasons of any player in league history. Involved in 43 goals in 33 appearances, he brought Liverpool to the brink of a historic league title victory in a season that alas ended in tears.
He was crowned PFA Player of the Year that season. Leading from the front, the no.7 was scintillating from start to finish as he bamboozled defences and destroyed any opposition that the Reds faced without hassle.
His free kick brace against Zenit in the Europa League, his hattricks against Norwich City, his breath-taking performance against Manchester United at Old Trafford were only some of the highlights of a fantastic spell at Anfield. Although incidents such as racially abusing Patrice Evra and biting Branislav Ivanovic marred his stay in England, nobody can deny that Luis Suarez is the best signing Liverpool made since after Benitez, if not their best signing in Premier League history.
The club sold him for almost thrice of what they bought him for, and Suarez now plays for Barcelona where he is the undisputed best striker in the world, and arguably THE best player bar Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. A mad genius who will be talked about for years to come in England.
Honorable mentions
Nathaniel Clyne – Easily the best signing that Liverpool have made from Southampton, the right back has been THE most consistent performer for the Reds since his arrival last summer, having featured in an astounding 54 games the previous season.
Defensively sound, while highly competent in making overlapping forward runs, in the Englishman, Liverpool seem to have found a solution to their fullback problem that has been plaguing the club for a while.
James Milner – Free signings don’t usually come as good as this versatile Ex-Leeds man. Liverpool’s leading assist provider last season, his crossing was integral to the Reds road to the Europa League final and this season, he has taken to the fullback role like a fish to water.
Starting as left back, for the most part, this season, Milner has been doing an excellent job and has scored five goals from the spot already. A top professional and a player any manager would love to have in his team, this deal was one of the better ones that Rodgers struck.
Joel Matip – Early days, but yet another free signing that shows immense promise. A physical beast and as good on the ball as he is without it, the ex-Bundesliga man has already established himself as a first-choice centre-back and so far, has been a steady rock in an unsteady Liverpool back four.
The defender even has a goal to his name, and with age on his side as well as a brilliant manager, Matip looks destined for big things if this continues.
