Liverpool's 20 worst signings of the Premier League era

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have perhaps recruited better than any other Premier League team in recent years, they’ve really got it right with the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and many more.

But it hasn’t always been like that at Anfield and today we’re going to be revisiting a number of occasions where they have got it woefully wrong in terms of an incoming transfer.

So here’s a look at Liverpool’s 20 worst signings of the Premier League era…

Sean Dundee

Valencia v Liverpool 3/11/98 UEFA Cup 2nd round 2nd leg Pic : Action Images / Stuart Franklin Liverpool’s Michael Owen & Sean Dundee celebrate Steve McManaman’s goal

Pictured above celebrating with one of the club’s better acquisitions over the years Michael Owen, Sean Dundee was a true waste of money for Liverpool.

£2m may not seem like a lot of dough now at all but back in 1998 it was and all joint-managers at the time Roy Evans and Gerard Houllier would get for that lofty sum would be five appearances (all of them from the bench) and no goals from the centre-forward.

Charlie Adam

Despite that one cracking season in the Premier League for Blackpool, Charlie Adam was never good enough to represent a side like the Reds and he probably knew that as well.

That’s why the creative Scotland international lasted just the one campaign on Merseyside in what was a very strange time for Liverpool Football Club.

Christian Benteke

There are similarities between Adam and the next infamous member of this list, the man known as one of the attacking flops of all time at Anfield, Christian Benteke.

Then gaffer Brendan Rodgers splashed out an eye-watering £32.5m on the striker in the summer of 2015 and like both Adam and Dundee would last just the one term – ironically, Benteke left the north west with a record of ten goals in 42 matches, not too bad at all.

Alberto Aquilani 

Mention the name Alberto Aquilani and most Kopites would offer a chuckle, this is certainly not the effect that the Italian would have wanted to leave when he arrived from Roma for £17m plus bonuses prior to the 2009/2010 season.

In truth, Xabi Alonso was always going to be a hard act to follow and that role always had the potential to be a poisoned chalice to whoever had to fulfil it, however, the woeful Aquilani made a special mess of it and it’s no small miracle that he managed to officially remain a Liverpool player for three years.

Milan Jovanovic

Famous for that hilarious video of his Reds best bits on Youtube, Milan Jovanovic turned up in the Red Half of Merseyside to a different manager to the one that signed him in 2010.

Roy Hodgson was hardly renowned for getting the best out of his players at Anfield and the Serbia midfielder is some example of that.

The balding winger is remembered at the Reds for the wrong reasons and 18 pathetic appearances after his signing he was shipped back to the league he tricked Rafa Benitez into thinking he was any good in, the Belgian first division.

Christian Poulsen

Is that a picture of Dirk Kuyt?

No, if Christian Poulsen was even half as decent for Liverpool as the legendary Dutch frontman he wouldn’t be anywhere near this list.

Putting any ifs and buts aside, Roy Hodgson was probably right to identify the Dane’s quality, after all he is one of the rare few to have played in all five of Europe’s big five divisions, though by 2010 he was fast slowing down and his terrible only campaign in Anfield Road is best forgotten.

Tiago Ilori

All the big teams have done it, signing a youngster dubbed to be the next big thing in European or even world football only for them to flop massively.

Well, Tiago Ilori is the Reds’ anti-climactic starlet and they paid a fair amount of money for him in September 2013, a reported £7m for the then 20-year-old who would only ever represent the club three times.

Paul Konchesky

As you may have already noticed, the Reds made some stinkers of signings around the turn of the decade, but none of them quite as terrible as Paul Konchesky.

The left-back was Roy Hodgson’s main man at Fulham so he saw no reason why he couldn’t follow him to play the same role at Anfield, however, his spell was nothing short of a total disaster shrouded by his mum’s Facebook rant in which she branded Liverpool fans “scouse scum.”

Mario Balotelli

Sure Mario Balotelli’s mother never said anything bad about Kopites, but his football in Liverpool could hardly do the talking for him either.

The controversial character was alright at Manchester City and pretty impressive at the 2012 UEFA European Championships, however, Luis Suarez’s were big boots to fill at Anfield plus there was always the weight of his £15m+ price tag – he was set up to fail really and did.

Joe Cole

Liverpool’s decision to sign Joe Cole in the twilight of his career was a strange one and they got what they deserved for what was a poor bit of business.

The former England and Chelsea star may not have cost Roy Hodgson (yes, him again) any actual money but his £130k-per-week salary was obscene for what the Reds actually got, a mere 42 matches, five goals and three assists, sub-standard for any attacking midfielder let alone Cole.

West Brom fans praise Matheus Pereira after his first goal for the club

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West Brom extended their unbeaten run to a ninth straight Championship game on Saturday afternoon as they defeated Queens Park Rangers 2-0.

The first half was one to forget with zero shots on target for either team, but the game sparked into life just eight minutes into the second period when full-back Nathan Ferguson was allowed time and space to venture forward from the left flank to beat the QPR goalkeeper with a 25-yard strike.

Yoann Barbet was then sent off for fouling Hal Robson-Kanu when he was adjudged to be the last man and Matheus Pereira netted the resulting free-kick with less than ten minutes left on the clock.

The Brazilian winger is only on loan at the west Midlands club, but his impact has been hailed by several of the Baggies faithful – particularly after picking up his first goal.

One supporter claimed he would be an absolute steal at £9m, so the Albion hierarchy need to sign him up as soon as possible, while another said the 23-year-old was different gravy.

‘Truly gifted’ was a further description of Pereira as one more fan called him ‘majestic.’

Here’s the best of the reaction:

Barcelona fans were not happy with Rafinha’s loan exit to Celta Vigo

Barcelona have now officially confirmed that Rafinha Alcantara will be extending his contract with the club and leaving on loan for Celta Vigo.

Celta will take the player for the remainder of the 2019/20 season and will also take on his salary with the addition of potential add-ons that can amount up to €1.5m (£1.3m).

Watch Spanish Football Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

With Rafinha’s loan, Barcelona ended their business in the summer transfer window, which is now officially behind us.

But not everyone was happy with the 26-year-old Brazilian parting ways with the club, even though he will be only leaving on loan for one season.

Many fans jumped to social media and Twitter to share their disappointment with the club’s decision to let go of a player they thought was among their best performers in recent games.

They also seem to think Rafinha should’ve stayed and that the 26-year-old should have been given a chance this year.

Here’s what the fans had to say about the confirmed loan exit…

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موراتا: أطالب من لا يؤمن بـ يوفنتوس ألا يشاهد مبارياتنا!

وجه ألفارو موراتا رسالة قوية لمشجعي يوفنتوس بشأن منافسة الفريق هذا الموسم على لقب الدوري الإيطالي، بعد الفوز على سبيزيا (3-0).

وشارك موراتا بديلاً في المباراة وسجل هدف يوفنتوس الأول بعد مشاركته بدقيقتين، وقلص الفريق فارق النقاط مع إنتر ميلان المتصدر إلى 7 نقاط، وميلان الوصيف إلى 4 نقاط.

يأمل يوفنتوس في حصد مزيد من النقاط مع تعثر منافسيه، حتى ينجح في حصد اللقب العاشر على التوالي.

وقال موراتا في تصريحات نشرتها صحيفة “لا جازيتا ديلو سبورت” الإيطالية: “لنفترض أنه ليس موسمًا سهلاً، نلعب كل ثلاثة أيام ولدينا لاعبين مهمين جدًا مثل باولو ديبالا مصابين لفترة طويلة، الأمر ليس سهلاً”.

اقرأ أيضًَا.. بيرلو يوضح إصابة دي ليخت ويؤكد: لدينا مطاردة طويلة مع إنتر ميلان

وأضاف: “لا أعذار، لكن هناك نقاط تلعب من أجل الحصول عليها، ولا تزال هناك احتمالات، ومن لا يؤمن بها لا يشغّل التلفاز ولا يشاهد مبارياتنا، لأننا نعمل من أجل الفوز”.

وأتم موراتا: “إذا لم نفز بنهاية هذا العام فسيتعين علينا تهنئة كل من يفوز، لكن أعتقد أنه سيتعين علينا أولاً أن نموت على أرض الملعب وأن يخبرونا أنه لا توجد المزيد من النقاط للعب، وطالما لدينا فرصة سنقاتل حتى النهاية”.

إصابة مهاجم الأهلي في المران قبل مباراة سيمبا بدوري أبطال إفريقيا

غادر مهاجم الفريق الأول لكرة القدم بالنادي الأهلي، التقسيمة التي أجراها الجهاز الفني بقيادة بيتسو موسيماني خلال المران الأول في تنزانيا.

ويستعد الأهلي لمواجهة فريق سيمبا التنزاني في الجولة الثانية لدور المجموعات بدوري أبطال إفريقيا والمحدد لها عصر الثلاثاء المقبل.

وخرج مروان محسن من تقسيمة الفريق مع بدايتها أثناء المران الأول في تنزانيا، بسبب تعرضه للإصابة.

طالع أيضا.. مدرب الأهلي: من ينتقد مروان محسن عليه النظر إلى لاعب ريال مدريد

ومن جانبه أكد الدكتور أحمد أبو عبلة، طبيب الفريق، أن اللاعب اشتكى من آلام كدمة في القدم تعرض لها أثناء مران الأهلي بالتتش أمس الجمعة.

وأوضح أنه فضل عدم استكمال اللاعب لفقرات التقسيمة؛ بسبب شكواه من آلام الكدمة آلتي تعرض لها في مران الأهلي الأخير بالقاهرة؛ من أجل تجهيزه بشكل جيد، ولتجنب تفاقم آلام الكدمة في القدم.

Wolves can put less strain on Jimenez if they land Joelinton

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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…

According to a report from German publication Kicker, Wolves are showing an interest in Hoffenheim forward Joelinton.

What’s the word?

Wolves have been extremely slow on the transfer front this summer with no new arrivals walking through the doors of Molineux as of yet.

There have been departures with Helder Costa leaving for Leeds whilst managing director Laurie Dalrymple has even been sacked.

However, there could finally be some movement in terms of incomings after their interest in Joelinton was revealed by Kicker.

The 22-year-old has also attracted the interest of Newcastle this summer too with multiple reports claiming they were eyeing up a deal.

Earlier this summer, The Mirror suggested he could cost the Magpies £30m but The Northern Echo have reported it might actually be in the region of £40m.

Jimenez burnout

Raul Jimenez has recently just concluded an arduous season which climaxed with victory for Mexico in the Gold Cup final.

Nuno Santo has already admitted that he’ll have two weeks off after his spell away on international duty, saying it would be a big mistake to rush him back.

After all, Jimenez featured 44 times last term for Wolves, as well as playing his part for his country in recent weeks.

And with that in mind, the Midlands club are likely to need someone to take the strain off of him, particularly with a season in the Europa League looming.

That player could well be Joelinton.

Like his potential new teammate, the Hoffenheim forward is excellent both in front of goal and at providing opportunities for his teammates.

The Brazilian scored six fewer goals than Jimenez but he managed nine assists in less matches. The Mexican laid on eight.

So with that in mind, he seems like the perfect player to lessen the burden of their 17-goal man from last season.

In the video below, find out which former Chelsea star could be set to challenge Raul Jimenez as top dog at Wolves…

Joelinton appears to be an exciting and dynamic forward, winning 2.3 aerial duels per game in 2018/19, as well as completing 1.7 dribbles every 90 minutes.

A potential price tag of between £30m-£40m sounds alarming, but considering his record in the Bundesliga last season and his age, he could be a worthwhile investment.

If it helps to reduce burnout on one of the star men as well, it would be a smart decision to sign him.

Rangers fans react to Lee Bowyer’s comments on Joe Aribo

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Rangers fans are not happy with Charlton manager Lee Bowyer after his outspoken comments on Joe Aribo’s move to Ibrox.

As reported by The Daily Record, Bowyer was highly critical of Aribo after rejecting the chance to stay on in the English Championship and move to Steven Gerrard’s side in Glasgow.

Aribo has still not been officially unveiled as a Rangers player, but with Gerrard already waxing lyrical about the impact he can make at Ibrox next season then it’s clear he is on his way.

The fans in the video below had some very strong words for Michel Platini who was detained over alleged corruption this week…

As quoted by The Record, the Charlton boss said of the situation:

“It doesn’t make sense on the football side. When people from England go and play for Celtic and Rangers it is at the end of their careers. That’s because it is very rare you get a move from Rangers to the Premier League, and I don’t mean any disrespect by that.

“They might go from Rangers to the Championship, very rarely is it to the Premier League. For me he should stay in England and keep progressing. The move should benefit Joe.”

The move to Scotland is also less beneficial for the London club than if he moved to an English side due to cross-border compensation rules. The paper say that Aribo will move north for a fee of just £300,000.

It’s fair to say the comments haven’t gone down well with Rangers supporters, some of whom feel they have a touch of sour grapes about them and others believing he is inaccurate about players’ lack of development at Ibrox.

Watch Rangers Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

These fans have taken to Twitter over the last 48 hours to share their thoughts…

Mauricio Pochettino breaks career habit with Jack Clarke decision

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Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino has broken the habit of a career by sending Leeds United academy product Jack Clarke back to Yorkshire on loan.

The winger became the club’s first signing in over a year on Tuesday after Spurs agreed a reported fee of £10m with Leeds United.

He has signed a contract until 2023 but will immediately return to the Championship club on loan for the duration of the 2019/20 campaign, as the Whites once again attempt to win promotion to the Premier League.

Yet this feels out of character for Pochettino.

Indeed, it must be noted that Marcelo Bielsa, a coach revered by Pochettino, manages Leeds; the pair have a storied connection. A fabled tale goes that before Bielsa signed Pochettino at Newell’s Old Boys when the Spurs boss was 13, he asked to see his legs while he was sleeping, to see if he was likely to be good enough to play for the club. He thought they were and signed him.

And yet, loans are not often utilised by Spurs. The likes of Oliver Skipp, Kyle Walker-Peters and Harry Winks could all have gone out on loan in recent seasons, as could Juan Foyth, with all four players having played through periods when they were deemed good enough to be around the first-team but not quite at the point of featuring regularly.

At most top clubs, that is when a loan is arranged, and the player will join either a mid-table Premier League club or a Championship side, as they look to gain minutes and experience – Derby’s decision to loan Liverpool’s Harry Wilson and Chelsea’s Mason Mount last season attests to that.

At Spurs, though, it’s more a case of loans being for those players who will eventually be discarded, when there isn’t actually a buyer to be found.

Look at the list of players who spent the 2018/19 season out on loan: Cameron Carter-Vickers, Samuel Shashoua, Marcus Edwards, Connor Ogilvie, Joshua Onomah, Georges-Kevin N’Koudou, Anthony Georgiou, Shayon Harrison, Kazaiah Sterling and Tom Glover.

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Ogilvie has already been allowed to join Gillingham permanently, while Glover has been released. Carter-Vickers is 21 and has played four times for the club at centre-back; Shashoua is 20 and has never had a sniff of the first-team; Edwards is talented but his attitude has been questioned; Onomah has already been tipped to join Sheffield Wednesday permanently; N’Koudou does not have the required ability to play for the club; Georgiou, Harrison and Sterling are all 20 or over and have played a combined 18 minutes at the top level.

That Clarke is going out on loan, then, is a ceding of control from Pochettino.

He usually nurtures the young players who are coming through, slowly exposing them to first-team action before eventually being able to bed them in when they are ready.

Watch Tottenham Hotspur Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Perhaps he does not deem Clarke to be in the same category as the likes of Skipp or Walker-Peters yet; perhaps this deal was merely done to get a jump on the competition and ensure that a talented player is on the books at Spurs before he becomes a star in the Championship.

That, of course, is the hope for him next season, that he can thrive at Elland Road and return to Spurs ready to make a breakthrough.

Pochettino has broken his habit with this deal. He had better hope it pays off.

Liverpool fans react to new Bruno Fernandes link

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Liverpool fans have expressed their delight at being linked with Sporting Lisbon attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes by Sport Mediaset journalist Pietro Balzano Prota.

The reporter claims that Manchester United had expressed an interest in signing Fernandes and were actually close to doing so.

However, Jurgen Klopp’s European champions are said to have entered the race, with the Portugal international keen to move to the Premier League. Tottenham Hotspur have also previously been credited with an interest, with a Telegraph report claiming that they even entered into talks with his agent over a possible transfer.

And Reds fans have been left giddy at the prospect of both securing a major summer signing and beating bitter rivals United to the punch.

Fernandes enjoyed an outstanding 2018/19 season, scoring 32 goals in all competitions and laying on 18 assists from an attacking midfield position.

Watch Liverpool Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below

Take a look at the best of the reaction below!

Chicharito sets sights on Spain return with West Ham exit looming

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West Ham United striker Javier Hernandez wants to return to Spain this summer, per Marca.

What’s the word?

The Mexico international scored eight goals in 28 appearances in all competitions in 2018-19.

But Football FanCast understands that he has been placed up for sale this summer, with Manuel Pellegrini looking to conduct an overhaul of his forward options.

And Marca now claim that Chicharito, who spent the 2014-15 season on loan at Real Madrid, is now hoping to move back to La Liga.

Valencia, FFC understands, were interested in securing Hernandez’s signature in January but were unable to reach an agreement with the Hammers or the player.

Marca report that his wages, which total €4million-per-year, are a major stumbling block to any move, with most La Liga clubs unable to pay such a sum.

Another forcing a move

Hernandez will find first-team options even harder to come by next season.

The Irons are hopeful of signing a striker this summer, with Aleksandar Mitrovic at Fulham a major target. Salomon Rondon, the West Brom striker with a £16.5m release clause, has also been linked.

It is perhaps little surprise, then, that he is following in the footsteps of Marko Arnautovic by actively seeking a move; the Austria international tried to seal a move to China in January but ended up signing a new contract.

But he will have to ensure that he lowers his expectations for a move to come off.

Hernandez could not agree a move to Valencia in January despite discussing terms.

He needs to ensure that he adds a little humility to his demands for the transfer to happen.

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