Over the years, Liverpool have been through several ups and downs but it goes without saying that they have had some of the best players donning their famous red jersey. There were a few that failed to make an impact but that is the case with any club.
Nevertheless, let’s take a look at the five game-changing signings made by Liverpool in the past decade.
Javier Mascherano
The Argentine arrived at Merseyside from West Ham United back in 2007. His performances attracted a good amount of attention and three years later, he chose to join Barcelona. However, Mascherano was a game-changer in the truest sense of the term at Liverpool.
A robust midfielder by trade, Mascherano was famous for his no-nonsense tackles. In fact, he is dream player for the likes of Xabi Alonso and Steven Gerrard. Both players profited from his arrival as it allowed them to play further up the pitch.
Although he is known to be quite hot-headed, his aggressiveness often helps him work wonders in most of his games. Prior to his arrival, Liverpool were struggling to find a solid defensive midfielder but they received a gem in the form of Mascherano.
Luis Suarez
Luis Suarez arrived at Liverpool from Ajax during the 2011/12 season. The controversial yet fabulous striker nearly helped them win the league title during an infamous 2013/14 season under Brendan Rodgers.
Given his skills, pace and goalscoring flair, Suarez’s addition helped Liverpool regain their identity as they started challenging for the title again.
That said, the player has had to deal with quite a lot of controversies. For example, his racist attack on Patrice Evra and the slew of biting incidents continue to be hotly-debated topics among football aficionados. But keeping all of that aside, Suarez was a brilliant player for Liverpool who came through for them at a time when they desperately needed it.
Mohamed Salah
Despite being labelled a “flop” at Chelsea, Mohamed Salah took his chance at Liverpool and how. He arrived at the club last summer and he went on to break multiple records to prove the naysayers wrong.
The Egyptian scored an astonishing 44 goals in 52 games across competitions for the Reds last season.
Salah’s speed, finishing ability and physical strength took the Premier League by storm. The player has established a solid partnership with Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane, and it will be interesting to see how they fare in the seasons to come.
Virgil van Dijk
Virgil van Dijk has been at the club for only half a season but what a fabulous impact he has had! The Dutchman has not only displayed his quality as a centre-back but has also helped fellow Liverpool defenders elevate their game. Dejan Lovren is a perfect example of how a quality partner can improve a player’s game.
Throughout a good majority of the last season, Liverpool were regarded as a side that could attack but not defend. However, van Dijk’s inclusion changed that notion. And the former Southampton star will definitely prove to be vital for Jurgen Klopp in the near future.
Roberto Firmino
Roberto Firmino is a unique attacker who can play as a striker, an attacking midfielder and a winger in a single game. Not many forwards have this ability and his skills on the ball truly set him apart from his competition.
He also provides ample support for Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, which is evidenced by the numerous goals they scored last season.
The fact that Firmino can play several attacking roles at a time often helps Liverpool dominate games. Given the way the Brazilian has developed under Klopp, the German deserves full credit for bringing out the best in Firmino.
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