Squawka / Features / Hit or miss? Liverpool’s 10 most expensive signings in history ahead of Florian Wirtz’s record move

    Hit or miss? Liverpool’s 10 most expensive signings in history ahead of Florian Wirtz’s record move

    Liverpool have reportedly broken the bank for Florian Wirtz, who is set to become the club’s most expensive signing ever.

    All that awaits is an official confirmation of the midfielder’s £114m move (including add-ons) from Bayer Leverkusen to Anfield.

    It would be the first time Liverpool have paid over £100m for a player, making the Reds the fourth English club to do so, alongside Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.

    And ahead of Wirtz’s arrival, we’ve taken a look at Liverpool’s 10 most expensive signings ever, and judged whether each one was a hit or a miss.

    N.B., All transfer fees include potential add-ons, or add-ons that were triggered during the player’s time at the club.

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    10. Christian Benteke

    Fee: £32.5m
    Bought from: Aston Villa (July 2015)
    Verdict: MISS

    Christian Benteke’s time at Liverpool was ultimately underwhelming. He arrived with a strong Premier League resume and the profile of a dominant target man, but was a mismatch with Jurgen Klopp’s high-intensity style. His struggles meant his Anfield stint faded quickly, and he was moved on after just one season. In that time, the striker made 42 appearances and scored 10 goals.

    9. Fabinho

    Fee: £39m
    Bought from: Monaco (May 2018)
    Verdict: HIT

    Fabinho proved to be a key cog in Liverpool’s most successful era under Klopp. Initially eased into the side, he quickly established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe – both composed in possession and physically imposing. The Brazilian won six major trophies at Anfield, including a Premier League and Champions League title. After 219 appearances for the Merseyside club, Fabinho joined Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad for £40m in 2023.

    8. Diogo Jota

    Fee: £45m
    Bought from: Wolves (September 2020)
    Verdict: HIT

    Diogo Jota was one of Liverpool’s most astute signings this decade. Signed as a squad option, he soon usurped Divock Origi in the rotation and has even had a knack for scoring in big moments. The Portuguese forward gave Liverpool good bang for their buck, with 65 goals in 182 appearances so far. Jota sadly died in July 2025 at the age of 28.

    7. Luis Diaz

    Fee: £50m
    Bought from: Porto (January 2022)
    Verdict: HIT

    Joining halfway through the season, Luis Diaz hit the ground running at Liverpool, logging seven goal contributions in 13 Premier League games. His early months were electric as he stepped up during an injury crisis, while Liverpool chased an unprecedented quadruple. Since then, it’s been a mix of the brilliant and the mediocre, largely because injuries have disrupted his rhythm. He’s managed 41 goals in 148 games and is coming off his best goalscoring season in the Premier League (13).

    6. Naby Keita

    Fee: £52.75m (July 2018)
    Bought from: RB Leipzig
    Verdict: MISS

    Naby Keita arrived at Liverpool with high expectations but never lived up to the billing. He was signed to transform the Reds’ midfield, but ultimately ended up being a peripheral figure in the squad. His injury-hampered spell meant he only started 49 Premier League games in five seasons. In the summer of 2023, Keita left as a free agent, departing with medals but never the feeling he fulfilled his potential at Anfield.

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    5. Alexis Mac Allister

    Fee: £55m
    Bought from: Brighton (June 2023)
    Verdict: HIT

    Operating in a double pivot with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister has quickly become one of two sides to the heart of Liverpool’s new-look midfield. His first season wasn’t always flashy, but his influence grew as the campaign wore on. And under Slot, he’s looked even more impressive, and is a real contender to make the 2024-25 Premier League Team of the Season.

    4. Dominik Szoboszlai

    Fee: £60m
    Bought from: RB Leipzig (July 2023)
    Verdict: MISS

    Dominik Szoboszlai’s Liverpool career began with real promise. By October 2023, he had created 21 chances in the Premier League – the most by a Liverpool player in their first nine league games since 2003. But fast forward over a year-and-a-half later, and questions still remain about his best role. With the arrival of Wirtz, Szoboszlai’s position at the club looks under serious threat. It’s still early days, but for the fee paid, more should be expected.

    3. Alisson

    Fee: £66.8m
    Bought from: Roma (July 2018)
    Verdict: HIT

    Signed at a world-record fee for a goalkeeper at the time, Alisson’s arrival offered a solution to Liverpool’s long-standing goalkeeping struggles. In 298 games for the Reds, the Brazilian has logged 127 clean sheets, while taking home two Premier League Golden Glove awards. After Manuel Neuer, Alisson played a pivotal role in redfining the responsibilites of a goalkeeper. It’s largely thanks to these legends that even grassroots coaches urge young keepers to play out from the back.

    2. Virgil van Dijk

    Fee: £75m
    Bought from: Southampton (January 2018)
    Verdict: HIT

    Virgil van Dijk’s £75m fee raised eyebrows at the time – in hindsight, it looks like a bargain. He led from the back as Liverpool won the Champions League and ended their 30-year wait for a league title, producing some of the finest defensive displays the Premier League has seen. Even after his ACL injury in 2020, he’s remained influential. The Dutchman was a true era-defining signing – one of the best in the club’s history.

    1. Darwin Nunez

    Fee: £85m
    Bought from: Benfica (June 2022)
    Verdict: MISS

    Darwin Nunez’s Liverpool career has been defined by chaos and potential in equal measure. There’s no doubting his talent or commitment, but inconsistency in front of goal has plagued his time on Merseyside. With only 40 goals in 143 games – and a plethora of big chances missed – the Uruguayan has proved to be nothing more than an explosive wildcard so far.

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