With so many transfer successes over the past decade, picking the best of the lot isn’t an easy task, but here’s the view of Ian Graham, who played a key role in Liverpool’s transfers.
Liverpool’s recruitment and team were revered under Jurgen Klopp, with their excellent movement and use of data setting them apart from other teams.
As the club’s former head of research, Graham was a key figure in Liverpool’s title-winning run and is in a strong position to offer his views on the most outstanding recent transfers.
“A lot of my favorite signings were players that Jurgen liked, [then] “They came and that was a big part of the success because if a manager likes a player, he’ll use that player,” Graham explained.
He started from the top because “the order wasn’t clear” I chose say This is Anfield Here are his top six signings in chronological order. Let’s see if you agree with his picks!
Daniel Sturridge – “So fast, yet so good”
signature: 2013
charge: 12 million pounds
“I’m really happy to sign Sturridge. He’s an incredible player. He’s a tremendous goalscorer, people think of him as just a goalscorer, but he brings so much more to the game.
“He’s really creative, he’s quick, he’s also very technical. He turned the game around at Craven Cottage in 2013.
“It’s crazy that Chelsea can sign him for that price.
“There’s a chapter in the book about Messi versus Ronaldo, which was edited out, but I talked about the pretenders to the throne.
“If you look at Sturridge’s goals and assists per 90 minutes, he’s not Messi or Ronaldo, but he’s been talked about as one of the top 10 players in the last 10-15 years.
“He didn’t get enough playing time due to his injury.”
Joel Matip – “He’s so underrated”
signature: 2016
charge: free
“He’s a free agent, and it’s amazing that a player like that can be transferred for free. I liked Matip.
“He’s probably the player I’d most like to sign first because he’s underrated by everyone else.
“Even after three seasons at Liverpool, he’s still given a lot of space for the opposition to take the ball out of defence and play a fun 30-yard pass through midfield because they underestimate him.
“The world underrated Joel Matip and he was incredible for Liverpool. Again, I just wish Joel had played more minutes.”
Sadio Mane – “Super Player”
signature: 2016
charge: 30 million pounds
“Sadio should be on the list too. I don’t know how it happened, but there was an article in the press that said Data rejected Sadio Mane. That’s completely wrong.
“Back then, if you worked at a club, you couldn’t talk to the press without permission from a press officer, so the real story couldn’t get out.
“I met Ralph Ragnick when he was sporting director at Red Bull and Mane was on a roll in the Europa League in 2014. I thought, ‘This guy is really good.’
“Jurgen regretted not signing him from Dortmund.”
Andy Robertson – “One of the best in the world”
signature: 2017
charge: 8 million pounds
“Robertson is with the underrated Joel. My doubts about Robertson are [that he was] Before we signed him he was one of the most attacking full-backs in the Premier League, but his defensive performance was difficult to judge.
“Hull were the worst defensive team in the league and were relegated that season. He was one of the best left-backs we had that summer, but it was like, ‘How’s his defence?’
“But it was Jurgen who said that the most important thing for a full-back is attack, and if he is not good at defending, we can cover him.
“What I like about Robertson is that he is one of the best defensive full-backs and attacking full-backs in the world today.”
Mohamed Salah – “I have to be on the list”
signature: 2017
charge: 36.9 million pounds
“It’s boring to say, but he has to be on the list.”
Fabinho – “He’s been great for several seasons”
signature: 2018
charge: 43 million pounds
“I really liked the Fabinho signing. I thought he was underrated and I liked that no one knew about his signing.
“We looked at him as a right-back two or three years ago but Trent has emerged as a right-back.
“I liked the fact that all the stars who won the Ligue 1 title at Monaco had left but no one seemed to want Fabinho. He wasn’t a cheap signing, but he was excellent for us for a number of seasons.
“I liked him because he could also play right-back, but he didn’t play right-back in our team!”
You can buy Ian’s book. How to win the premier league: The inside story of the soccer data revolution, here.
Watch and listen to the full conversation with Ian in this 50-minute podcast episode. here.
