All Rafa Benitez 45 signings for Liverpool ranked!
By David Gate
Number 9: Maxi Rodriguez
Another free transfer who provided excellent value for the club. Benitez picked Rodriguez on a free transfer from Atletico Madrid in January of 2010 when Liverpool were in desperate need for more attacking quality without Xabi Alonso who had moved to Real.
The Argentinian was keen to renew his partnership with Fernando Torres from their time together at Atletico. He found Torres a few times in his early games for a couple of assists. But it was his goal threat that really helped Liverpool in some barren periods.
Liverpool were over reliant on Torres and Gerrard for goals and both had been struggling with injuries. Maxi came and immediately provided a new goal threat with his late runs and incisive finishing.
In his two season at Anfield he scored 17 goals including two hattricks in quick succession against Birmingham and Fulham in the Premier League. He helped Liverpool to win the League Cup against Cardiff in 2012 under Kenny Dalglish.
Eventually he was sold back to his boyhood club, Newell’s Old Boys in the summer of 2012. It is shame he did not get to play more under Benitez or even Rodgers who would have made more out of the skillful Argentinian. @davidgatesports & @_rahultanna