Liverpool’s Five Top Transfers During the January Window

It was a quite transfer window for Liverpool by last season’s standards, with Wrexham’s teenage goalkeeper Danny Ward the only notable arrival. However, since the window was introduced 10 seasons ago, the Reds have made some excellent signings in what is usually a frenzied period littered with hit-or-miss transfers.

Here are five Anfield arrivals that may have raised a few eyebrows but ultimately proved to be a big hit with the fans:

Daniel Agger

Signed from Brondby for £5.8 million in 2006.

The 21-year-old full back was a relative unknown when he joined Liverpool midway through the 2005-06 season. He was awarded “Danish Talent of the Year” back in his homeland about a month before securing a move to Anfield which made him the most expensive footballer sold by a Danish club to a foreign club. Agger was also Liverpool’s most expensive defender at the time.

He has been unfortunate with injuries during his time at the club. A metatarsal injury during the 2007 pre-season ruled him out for the majority of the campaign and a knee injury last season restricted him to just 16 league appearances.

Now in his seventh season at Anfield, Agger seems to be coming into his own. He has played the majority of games this season at centre back and has formed a great partnership with another transfer window signing, Martin Skrtel. Agger endeared himself to the Reds supporters by scoring the first goal in a 2-1 FA Cup fourth round victory against Manchester United. Punters who had raided a free bet site could have got 40/1 on him finding the net first.

Robbie Fowler

Signed from Manchester City on a free transfer in 2006.

Fowler joined Liverpool for a second time in January 2006 amid much fanfare and media hype despite an indifferent spell at Manchester City. His first goal finally came in March against Fulham – the same opponents against whom he scored his first ever Reds goal some 13 years earlier.

A goal against West Bromwich Albion meant he overtook Kenny Dalglish in the list of all-time Liverpool goalscorers and he ended the 2005-06 season with a respectable return of five goals in 14 Premier League appearances.

Fowler did not feature so much the next season but still scored seven goals in 23 appearances in all competitions, including a hat-trick of penalties against Sheffield United in the Premier League. A standing ovation in his final appearance in a Reds shirt against Charlton Athletic capped 369 appearances and 183 goals during two spells at the club.

Javier Mascherano

Signed from West Ham United on loan in 2007.

The Argentina international saw his transfer to Liverpool approved by FIFA on 31 January but the move was not made official until 20 February due to issues surrounding his third-party ownership by Media Sports Investments.

A string of excellent performances prompted then manager Benitez to describe him as “a monster of a player” and he was voted Liverpool’s man of the match after the Champions League final defeat against AC Milan. Mascherano finally signed a permanent contract at Anfield in February 2008 worth a reported £18.6 million. In September 2008, Mascherano was key in a 2-1 victory against Manchester United at Anfield. He was arguably at fault for allowing fellow countryman Carlos Tevez to break the deadlock after just three minutes but made amends when he set up what proved to be the winning goal.

The combative player finished the 2009-10 season with the worst disciplinary record in the Premier League with seven yellow cards and two red. Upon returning from the World Cup he expressed a desire to leave the club and joined Barcelona for £22 million.

Martin Skrtel

Signed from Zenit Saint Petersburg for £6.5 million in 2008.

After joining the club from Russian football, then manager Rafa Benitez compared 23-year-old Skrtel to Jamie Carragher. Those comparisons were noted by Liverpool fans during Skrtel’s first taste of a Merseyside derby, a 1-0 win against Everton and awarded him Man of the Match.

Like his defensive team mate Daniel Agger, Skrtel has suffered with injuries during his time at Anfield and saw his playing time in the Premier League restricted during both the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons. However, he appeared in every minute of all 38 Premier League matches during the 2010-11 season, joining Everton full-back Leighton Baines as the only two outfield players to do so. Indeed, the only match Skrtel missed during that campaign was a Europa League play-off against Trabzonspor.

Now in his fifth season at the club, Skrtel has formed a rock-solid partnership with Agger and have displaced veteran and fan favourite Jamie Carragher from the first team. With the duo both aged 27, they are now approaching their career peak which can only be good news for Liverpool fans.

Luis Suarez

Signed from Ajax for £23 million in 2011.

Suarez has the dubious honour of being Liverpool’s record signing until his transfer fee was eclipsed by the £35 million arrival of Andy Carroll just hours later during the 2011 window.

The Uruguay strike made a goalscoring debut against Stoke City after coming on as a substitute and ended the 2010-11 season with four goals in 13 appearances. He was arguably one of the team’s most influential players and Liverpool finished the season in sixth place after sitting in twelfth place when Suarez arrived.

Suarez began the 2011-12 season in a similar fashion. He was instrumental in a 2-0 victory against Arsenal after coming on as a substitute. He was heavily involved in the first goal and scored the second to secure the Reds’ first victory over the Gunners in London for 11 years. With 12 goals in 35 matches this season, critics may argue he doesn’t score enough goals but if he can put his troubles behind him, he can go on to be a legend at Anfield.

What do our fans think of these great January Signings is there anyone else you think deserves a mention?