'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Liverpool are having a great 2021-22 season. After narrowly clinching a top-four place last season, it was imperative Jurgen Klopp’s side came back with a bang this campaign. With Virgil van Dijk at the back and a free-scoring front three, it seems the Reds are back to their very best.
The Merseyside-based club have a League Cup final with Chelsea on Sunday. Their 6-0 win over Leeds in midweek saw them reach within touching distance of league leaders Manchester City, who are only three points ahead.
Moreover, the Jordan Henderson-led side are unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League and FA Cup this season.
Liverpool have turned into perennial title challengers under Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool have consistently been competing for major honours under Klopp. Almost all the signings made by the former Borussia Dortmund manager have sizzled at the club.
However, that wasn’t the case before the German arrived. Many players had forgettable stints at the club, much to the dismay of the Anfield faithful. On that note, here’s a look at five such players:
#5 Victor Moses
Victor Moses spent the 2013-14 season on loan at Anfield. During his nine-year stay at Chelsea, Moses went on loan six times. The once-promising winger at Wigan Athletic currently plies his trade at Russian club Spartak Moscow.
The Nigerian winger was brought to Anfield by Brendan Rodgers. He appeared 22 times in the 2013-14 season for the six-time Champions League winners. The number 12 scored just twice for the club, often failing to make an impact.
Brendan Rodgers’ men had a sensational title run. Thanks to the goalscoring exploits of Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, the Reds tantalisingly missed out on the Premier League title. Nevertheless, it is safe to say that not many fans will have fond memories of Moses from that campaign.
#4 Conor Coady
Conor Coady was a Scouser, born and bred. Having spent almost a decade at the Merseyside giants, Coady dreamed to become a first-team regular. That wasn’t to be, though, and the Englishman moved to Championship club Huddersfield for first-team action.
After a successful season at the Kirklees Stadium, Coady joined Wolverhampton Wanderers. The former Liverpool man has grown into a key player for them. The Wolves captain has made over 300 appearances for the club.
His fine performances in the Premier League helped him earn his England debut in 2020. He started his career as a midfielder, and the boyhood Liverpool fan was once viewed as a long-term Steven Gerrard replacement. However, his career panned out quite differently.
#3 Peter Gulacsi
Liverpool have had their fair share of goalkeeper woes in the last decade. One such player - Peter Gulacsi - spent six years at Anfield between 2007 and 2013.
Although the Hungarian never started a game for the senior team, he took the field 25 times for Liverpool U23. The shot-stopper left the club in 2013 to get more playing time. After shining at RB Salzburg, he joined their sister club, RB Leipzig, in 2015.
Gulacsi has been a vital cog in the Bundesliga side’s fortunes over the last seven years. The Leipzig captain has played over 250 games for them, and has taken his career to a whole new level. His torrid time in England seems like a long time ago now.
Meanwhile, with Alisson between the sticks since 2018, goalkeeper is one position the Reds require no tinkering now.
#2 Sebastian Coates
Sebastian Coates is another player who found it difficult to break into the Liverpool first team, but flourished elsewhere. The Uruguayan played 24 games for the Premier League giants. He was loaned out to Nacional and Sunderland before joining the latter permanently in 2015.
The defender finally found a place he could call home in Portugal when he signed for Sporting CP in 2017. He has played 268 games for the reigning Primeira Liga champions to date.
The 31-year-old has evolved into a solid centre-back capable of contributing with goals and assists. Despite his wonderful goal against QPR almost a decade ago, Merseysiders have largely forgotten that the Sporting captain once played for their beloved club.
#1 Luis Alberto
Luis Alberto’s acquisition from Sevilla in 2013 brought excitement to Anfield. The Spanish midfielder was on loan at Barcelona B in 2012-13, a place that had produced several top-notch midfielders in the early 2010s. However, Alberto’s spell in the Premier League left a lot to be desired.
The attacking midfielder was never deemed good enough to start consistently for the Reds. He lasted just 12 games for the club across competitions. After a couple of loan moves to Spain, Alberto moved to Serie A on a €4-million move to relaunch his career in Lazio.
The Liverpool-reject has worked wonders in Rome, contributing goals frequently. He has accumulated 38 goals and 56 assists in 208 outings for Lazio. The 2018-19 Coppa Italia winner has successfully resurrected his career, but is a forgotten figure in England.
