Liverpool FC’s best value transfers

By signing Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino, Brendan Rodgers has bought two of the three most expensive players in Liverpool’s history in his response to last season’s poor showing.

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At £32.5million and £29m respectively, the Belgian and Brazilian have not exactly come cheap.

Should Liverpool gain silverware and a return to the Champions League, however, it will almost certainly be determined as money well spent.

But who are the best value signings in Anfield history? We take a look.

Kenny Dalglish
In the eyes of many, there has never been a greater player to represent Liverpool than ‘King Kenny’.

Dalglish joined the Reds for a fee of £440,000 (£2.8m in today’s money) in 1977, after the sale of Kevin Keegan to Hamburg for £500,000.

It basically meant Liverpool actually had money left over having bought a player who would go on to win 17 major trophies in 13 years at Anfield, appearing 515 times for Liverpool, scoring 172 goals, and has also, of course, managed the club twice.

Alan Hansen
Hansen helped bring eight league titles and three European Cups to Anfield during his 12 years on Merseyside, and in 1986 he captained the Reds to their first-ever Double.

After signing from Partick Thistle for £100,000 (£650,000 in today’s money) in May 1977 on the recommendation of Celtic boss Jock Stein, Hansen played 620 times in a red shirt, scoring 14 goals.

He became known for dribbling the ball out of defence with style rather than hoof it upfield, prompting Bob Paisley to remark: “He has given me more heart attacks than any player I have ever known.”

Ian Rush
The greatest goalscorer in Liverpool’s history, Rush was brought in from Chester in 1980 for £300,000 (£1.3m in today’s money) – then a British transfer record for a teenager.

Liverpool scout Geoff Twentyman was a regular visitor at Chester’s games, and Bob Paisley was convinced enough about his talent to convince the club to splash out.

What clinched the deal for Rush was that Chester manager, Allan Oakes, told him: “If you don’t make it, you can always go back to Chester.”

The Welshman scored 346 goals in 660 appearances, a club record which will take some beating, and he helped bring home five League Championships, three FA Cups, five League Cups, and a European Cup.

Sami Hyypia
The towering Finn’s consistent performances through the Houllier and Benitez eras earned him a place among Europe’s top defenders. Costing Liverpool just £2.5m (£4m in today’s money) from Dutch outfit Willem II in May 1999, Hyypia went on to play 464 times for the Reds, clocking up 35 goals.

Liverpool have a TV cameraman to thank that Hyypia came to Anfield. Former chief executive Peter Robinson recalled: “He knew we were looking for a strong defender and recommended we take a look at Sami. That is how it all started.”

Hyypia left Anfield with an impressive 55.6% win ratio, after a 10-year spell on Merseyside.

He won two FA Cups, two League Cups, a UEFA Cup and was an integral part of the 2005 European Cup winning team.

It’s safe to say he was an incredible servant for Liverpool.

Jamie Redknapp
After starting out at Bournemouth, Kenny Dalglish had already paid a visit before even starting a game.

Redknapp was invited to visit Liverpool for a couple of weeks, but ultimately decided one more year down south would be best for his development.

However, after only 13 first-team matches for Bournemouth, Redknapp became the most expensive 17-year-old in football when Liverpool paid £500,000 (£1m in today’s money) for his services.

Redknapp never played under Dalglish. However, the former England international clocked up 308 appearances for the Reds, notching 41 goals in a 12 year stay on Merseyside, and helped Liverpool win the League Cup in 1995.

Gary McAllister
Signed from Coventry City on a free transfer in 2000 aged 35, the Scotsman went on to become an Anfield hero.

“This is fairytale stuff for someone at my stage of life,” he said. “It did surprise me when Liverpool came in for me.”

However, he did play a key part in the Reds’ cup treble in 2001, and left Merseyside with an impressive 60.92% win ratio.

The recently-appointed first team coach played 87 times for Liverpool, scoring nine goals – including that free-kick against Everton.

Xabi Alonso
It’s hard to place those who did not win a league title, but Alonso would be a contender for any greatest Liverpool team assembled.

After joining the ‘Rafalution’ with a £10.5m (£14.8m in today’s money) move from Real Sociedad in August 2004, Alonso went on to appear 210 times for Liverpool, scoring 19 goals.

He won two major honours during his time on Merseyside, the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2006.

Unfortunately that summer, he followed the likes of Kaka and Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid for £30m – a profit of £19.5m.

Fernando Torres
Signed for a club record fee of around £20m (£26m in today’s money) in July 2007, the Spaniard was handed the number nine shirt vacated by Anfield legend Robbie Fowler.

The Spaniard became a Kop idol, and the first red since Fowler to break the 30-goal barrier, scoring 81 times in 142 appearances for Liverpool, but departed the club in unpalatable circumstances, handing in a transfer request to push through a move to Chelsea.

He was sold for £50m – a profit of £30m.

Luis Suarez
Now one the best players in world football, El Pistolero signed for the Reds in January 2011 for £22.8m (£26.1m in today’s money).

Wearing the famous number seven shirt, Suarez made 133 appearances for the Reds, scoring 82 times, developing into one of the leagues most feared forwards.

Although the Uruguayan was involved in a number of on and off field issues during his time at Anfield, there was no denying his talent.

He helped bring back the League Cup in 2012, and won numerous individual accolades.

Suarez left for Barcelona in 2014 for £75m – a profit of £52.5m.

Raheem Sterling
Sterling joined Liverpool as a 15-year-old in 2010 from Queens Park Rangers for £500,000 (£600,000 in today’s money) and thrived under Brendan Rodgers.

Overall, he made 129 appearances for the club, scoring 23 goals, and developed into one of the world’s best young talents.

This was emphasised after Sterling won the European Golden Boy Award in 2014, as well as starting every game for England in the World Cup finals that year.

Like Torres, his exit wasn’t pretty – the player forcing through a £49m move to Manchester City this summer – a profit of £39.2m as QPR netted £9.8m in sell-on fees.

ARIS