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In an age where players are going for ridiculous sums of money, those who come for free and succeed provide an extra bit of satisfaction to the club and fans alike.
Liverpool, in their vast history, have racked up a few of these free signings and have reaped huge harvests in return. The Merseyside giants are currently at the summit of English and European football and have found some world-class players for absolutely nothing on the way. The side, however, hardly calls for anyone and this scrupulous approach has led them to a fair share of success with free transfers.
There have been a few players who arrived at Anfield for nothing but have been adored, admired and loved by the fans and those who ultimately emerged as cult heroes at the Kop end. Let's have a look at some of the most successful players who arrived at Liverpool for free but left their mark on the club's chronicle.
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#5 Robbie Fowler
Robbie Fowler returned to Liverpool in January 2006 on a free transfer. The 'Toxteth Terror' had left the club in 2001 after falling down the pecking order at Anfield. His arrival dearly excited the fans as he was already a club great at the time of his return to Merseyside.
The former England striker scored 128 goals in 266 appearances during his two spells with the Reds. His second spell at the club was fondly marked by a huge amount of joy on the part of the fans, who displayed a series of banners with his nicknames on them during games.
Despite staying for just one year, Fowler enjoyed a fair amount of success with Liverpool in his second spell. He helped the club reach the Champions League final that year but the Reds came short against AC Milan in Athens.
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#4 Maxi Rodriguez
Liverpool signed Maxi Rodriguez on a free transfer in the 2010 winter window. The Argentine was a skillful striker who had an immaculate first touch and killer finishing ability. The player was reunited with ex-teammate Fernando Torres at the club after his time with the Spaniard at Atletico Madrid.
Maxi arrived at Anfield when the Reds were on one of their most dismal runs as they finished seventh in the Premier League. However, the striker managed to showcase his brilliance when Kenny Dalglish was re-appointed as the club's manager.
After Torres' departure in 2011, Maxi formed a colossal partnership with new teammate Luis Suarez and reached double figures for Liverpool that season. His time at Anfield was short as he left the club after the arrival of Philippe Coutinho from Espanyol in 2012.
#3 Fabio Aurelio
Fabio Aurelio's time at Liverpool is one that is often forgotten but despite suffering numerous injuries during his time at the club, the full-back still managed 134 appearances in his four-year stint.
The former defender was the first-ever Brazilian to play for the club as he signed for Rafa Benitez's side in 2006. He was well-suited to the Spanish manager's style of play from their time together in La Liga as he was a part of his title-winning Valencia side. The player turned out to be a solid presence on the field in both attacking and defensive departments.
Although Aurelio's career at Liverpool was hampered by injuries, he still managed to put in reliable performances when needed.
#2 Joel Matip
Joel Matip is one of Jurgen Klopp's best signings at the club, and what a player he has turned out to be! The towering centre-back has established himself as one of the mainstays within the current Liverpool squad in what appears to be a great era for the club.
The Cameroon international arrived at Anfield on a free transfer in 2016 after leaving Bundesliga club FC Schalke, and his time at the Merseyside club has been nothing short of exceptional as he helped the club reach two successive Champions League finals in the last two years. The Reds even went on to win their first Champions League title since 2005 last season.
Securing the services of a defender as good as Matip on a free transfer has to go down as one of the best pieces of business done by Liverpool. He has helped the Premier League giants revive themselves to their glorious best once again and one could say that this is only the start for the club.
#1 Gary McAllister
Gary McAllister joined Liverpool on a free transfer in the summer of 2000 and many fans raised eyebrows on the club's decision to bring in a 35-year-old on high wages. However, the Scotsman brought something more than just experience at the club as he proved to be a leader who brought about focus to a young side.
Mcallister helped the Reds to their first Champions League qualification in five years as he scored a 94th-minute equaliser in a heated Merseyside derby against crosstown rivals Everton in a must-win game for the club.
The former midfielder was a sublime freekick taker and Liverpool fans still consider him as the man to rely on for a big moment. For these reasons and many more, Mcallister truly deserves his place as the best free transfer in Liverpool's history.
