Best XI of Players Sold by Liverpool

Midfielders

Javier Mascherano was first of three Liverpool players to join Barcelona in the last 10 years

From the three midfielders included in this XI, we start with Javier Mascherano. He played alongside Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso in what is often labelled Liverpool’s best midfield in the Premier League era.

The Argentinian joined the Reds from West Ham, played 139 games for the club before becoming the first of three notable players to leave Liverpool for Barcelona. The veteran was a fantastic defensive midfielder when he left Anfield but he predominantly played as a centre-back at Barcelona for seven-and-a-half seasons, winning 19 trophies.

The 34-year-old currently plays for Chinese Super League club Hebei China Fortune.

Coutinho (L) and Can (R) left Liverpool in 2018

The other two midfielders in this XI left Liverpool in 2018 under Jurgen Klopp. Emre Can joined Liverpool in 2014 and spent most of his first season playing out of position at centre-back and right-back under Brendan Rodgers.

After Jurgen Klopp took over, the German midfielder became one of Liverpool’s best players and played a crucial role in their run to the final of the Europa League in 2016.

Can played 166 games for Liverpool scoring 14 goals including a scintillating overhead kick against Watford in 2017 which was later voted the Premier League and BBC Goal of the season.

The 24-year-old left Liverpool in the summer upon the expiry of his contract to join Juventus and became one of many notable players to join the Italian giants on a free transfer in recent years.

Philippe Coutinho became a Liverpool player in January 2013 for just £8.5m from Inter Milan and made an instant impact in the Premier League.

The Brazilian was a crucial member of the Liverpool side throughout his Liverpool career. He scored 54 goals and assisted a further 43 more in 201 games before leaving the club in January 2018.

Coutinho tried to force a move to Barcelona during the summer transfer window of 2017 and handed in a transfer request but Liverpool stood firm and refused to sell the player. Eventually, they sold him in the following winter transfer window for £105m (which could rise to £142m if various clauses are met). This makes him the third most expensive player ever.

Two former Liverpool players at Lazio deserve a mention. The first, Lucas Leiva, was a loyal servant of the club for 10 years during a difficult period and the other, Luis Alberto, was one of the best midfielders in Europe’s Top 5 leagues last season after being one of the many flops of the Brendan Rodgers era.

Honourable mentions: Lucas Leiva (Lazio), Joe Allen (Stoke City), Luis Alberto (Lazio), Jonjo Shelvey (Newcastle United)