It’s not only bargain-hunters in the January sales who tend to overspend in the New Year. Football clubs looking to plug gaps in their squads tend to panic buy and spend the remaining five months of the season regretting it. Liverpool have been one of the worst culprits in recent seasons…
Andy Carroll
After losing Fernando Torres to Chelsea on transfer deadline day 2011 Liverpool panicked and snapped up Newcastle United’s lumbering centre forward for a whopping £35m. Despite his previous goalscoring record on Tyneside, Carroll was never going to be able to fill the boots of the Spanish striker and 18 months and 11 goals later he was shipped off to West Ham, initially on loan and then on a £15m transfer. £1.8m per goal.
Fernando Morientes
Six months after losing Michael Owen and struggling to find goals, Liverpool brought in Fernando Morientes from Real Madrid in January 2005. Despite his record in his homeland and his obvious ability, the Spanish forward lacked the pace needed for the Premier League and lasted a season and a half before heading off to sunny Valencia.
Maxi Rodriguez
Despite being a fan favourite, the Argentinian winger joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid in 2010. He started well under Rafael Benitez, but less so under Roy Hodgson and Kenny Dalglish and was eventually allowed to return to his first football club, Newell’s Old Boys after two and a half years.
Let’s take a moment to remember some of the great January signings Liverpool have made though – Daniel Agger, Martin Skrtel, Philippe Countinho and the wonderful Luis Suarez of course!
