Top 10 Liverpool signings of the decade

Liverpool had a pretty slow phase in terms of success after their famous Champions League victory in Istanbul in 2005. They regained a bit of pace under Brendan Rodgers when he took over in 2012 but struggled for consistency under the Northern Irishman. Since Jurgen Klopp took over in October 2015, Liverpool have slowly and steadily risen under him to become one of the most feared teams in Europe once again.

Under the tutelage of Klopp, Liverpool are now finishing in the top four consistently, and also reached back-to-back Champions League finals in 2018 and 2019, winning the latter one. Last season, they missed out on the Premier League title by a whisker to Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City but in the present camapign it seems the Reds will finally get their hands on the coveted title.

In this article, let’s take a look at the top 10 Liverpool signings of the decade.

#10 Jordan Henderson

The Liverpool captain has been an integral part of the team since he joined the club in the summer of 2011 from Sunderland for an estimated fee of €18 million. The Englishman is a box-to-box midfielder, who has been moulded into a more defensive-minded midfielder by Klopp.

He’s a hard worker on the pitch and can press the opposition very well when they are in possession. Despite playing in a deeper role, Henderson has improved his creative abilities over the years and this has benefited Liverpool both domestically and in Europe.

#9 Fabinho

The 26-year-old Brazilian defensive midfielders is one of the best players at his position in the planet right now. He joined Liverpool from Monaco in July 2018 for €45 million and struggled a bit initially. But with time, he settled in well and has been one of their most consistent performers this calendar year.

He’s versatile enough to slot in as centre-back or right-back if required and this has hugely benefited Liverpool quite a number of times through the course of his time at the club. Fabinho played a huge role in Liverpool's sixth Champions League glory, and he can only become much better under the guidance of a manager of Klopp's stature in the days to come.

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#8 Andrew Robertson

Scottish left-back Andrew Robertson joined Liverpool from Hull City for a petty €9 million in 2017, and this has to be the biggest bargain signing in their current squad right now. Under the guidance of Klopp, Robertson has become one of the best players in his position and his chemistry with Sadio Mane on the left wing is one to watch out for.

The 25-year-old is known for his pace, energy and crossing abilities and he’s an asset in the current Liverpool squad. He has managed to score three times and assist a further 23 in 107 appearances in all competitions for the club so far.

#7 Alisson Becker

Alisson Becker has definitely been one of the best signings of the decade for Liverpool. The Brazilian shot-stopper joined Liverpool from Roma in the summer of 2018 and has been immense in keeping opponents at bay. The 27-year-old has been a massive upgrade from the likes of Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius, and has given Liverpool stability between the sticks.

This has helped them win matches even with a small margin as the Brazilian has kept many shots from going into the back of the net. Goalkeepers peak with age and Alisson is reaching the golden age which is very good news for Liverpool fans.

#6 Philippe Coutinho

Philippe Coutinho was signed from Inter Milan for €13 million on January 30, 2013. The Brazilian playmaker was an instant hit in the Premier League and quickly became a fan favourite at Anfield. Liverpool fans called him as the “Little Magician” due to his exquisite passing vision and technical abilities.

His curling long shots from outside the box earned him a lot of name and fame throughout the footballing world. In 201 appearances for the club, he scored 54 goals and had another 45 assists. He then moved to Barcelona in January 2018 for a massive €145 million. The funds helped Klopp to rebuild the squad and make signings like Virgil van Dijk and Alisson.

#5 Luis Suarez

Luis Suarez is one of the most complete forwards the game has seen in the 21st century. He joined Liverpool from Ajax Amsterdam on January 31, 2011 and has been the best centre forward Liverpool have had in their squad this decade. In the absence of quality supportive players, Suarez single-handedly carried Liverpool's attack during his time at Anfield.

He was known for his hard work, technique and ability to create for others even though he played as a centre forward. In his three-and-a-half season spell at the club, he made 133 appearances during which he scored 82 goals and provided 47 assists.

#4 Virgil van Dijk

The 28-year-old Dutchman joined Liverpool from Southampton in January 2018 for a massive €85 million approximately. There was a lot of criticism at that point of time for the amount being spent on a central defender. But the Dutchman who stands 1.93m tall has proved all his doubters wrong and has established his name amongst the elite class of centre-backs currently.

His leadership abilities have stabilised Liverpool's defence massively. A defender with immense game-reading ability, Van Dijk has been massively instrumental in making sure that Liverpool are tighter at the back and do not end up leaking unnecessary goals.

#3 Roberto Firmino

While the likes of Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane get a lot of limelight due to their goalscoring sprees,there is this 28-year-old Brazilian who does a lot work silently which helps the forward line-up push the ball up. He joined Liverpool from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2015 for €41 million, which seems like a bargain now.

Although he is the lone centre forward in the line-ups, he operates a bit deeper more in a false 9 or an inverted forward position. He draws the defenders towards himself leaving spaces for Mane and Salah to exploit at the end of the day. His spell at Anfield has been a massive success so far, and with his current contract finishing in 2023, Liverpool fans can expect a lot more in the days to come.

#2 Sadio Mane

The 27-year-old powerhouse from Senegal joined Liverpool from Southampton in July 2016. Over the seasons, he has matured more and has turned into a deadly attacker who can play anywhere on the frontline. Mane is known for his brutal pace, technique and finishing abilities and it is not often enough when opposition defenders are not terrified to face him.

He can easily drag two to three players of the opposition out of position, thus creating spaces. In his 150 appearances in a Liverpool shirt so far, he has scored 73 times and assisted 33 more goals which are brilliant numbers for someone who’s mostly on the wings.

#1 Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah joined Liverpool from Roma and he filled the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle that Klopp was lacking in his frontline. Since, the arrival of Salah, the Liverpool front three have become one of the most tormenting forward trios in the planet. Hardly a game passes by now, when one of these these do not end up being on the scoresheet.

Salah’s pace and trickery has added a whole new dimension to the gegenpressing Klopp has implemented at Anfield. He is unpredictable on the ball and this gives opposition defenders a very hard time. The 27-year-old Egyptian international has scored 84 times and assisted 36 more in his 130 appearances for the club so far.

Honourable mentions: James MIlner, Joel Matip and Georginio Wijnaldum.

Edited by Samya Majumdar