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Ranking Liverpool's five best deadline day signings of the summer transfer window

A comprehensive look back at Liverpool's most successful eleventh-hour acquisitions, ranking the five greatest deadline day transfer masterstrokes of the modern era.
Liverpool v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One
Liverpool v Manchester City - UEFA Champions League Quarter Final Leg One | Shaun Botterill/GettyImages

It's deadline day, folks.

That means until January we get to complain about how Liverpool's summer business was underwhelming and left Andoni Iraola short.

Unless there are some surprise deals at happen at the very last minute, that is.

Nevertheless, it's always an exciting day, so let's take a trip down memory lane and reminisce on the past.

Here are our top five summer transfer deadline day deals the Reds have completed over the years.

5 - Mamadou Sakho

The French defender joined from Paris Saint Germain in 2013 for £18 million alongside Tiago Ilori and Victor Moses to help Liverpool's defensive issues.

And, while at times unorthodox, PSG's youngest ever captain did help in that regard, and was key in the Reds' title charge in the 2013/14 season, as well as the journey to the Europa League final in 2015/16.

He made 80 appearances for the Reds between 2013 and 2017, scoring three goals.

Behavioural issues marred the end to his Liverpool career, and he fell out with Jurgen Klopp during Liverpool's pre-season tour prior to the 2016/17 where he was then demoted from the senior squad, and joined Crystal Palace in January 2017.

Sakho retired from professional football in January 2026.

4 - Albert Riera

The Spaniard joined Liverpool for £8 million from Espanyol in 2008 and was an important part of the Reds' title challenge that season, scoring some key goals.

Albert Riera wore the number 11 shirt before it was cool.

Riera only made 56 appearances for the Reds in two years, scoring just five goals and providing seven assists.

Similarly to Sakho, Riera's end to his career at Liverpool came about due to a falling out with the manager, Rafa Benitez.

The Liverpool forward made comments to Spanish media criticising Benitez which led to him being suspended and fined, rseulting in a move to Olympiacos in the summer of 2010.

Riera is currently in management at Red Star Belgrade.

3 - Craig Bellamy

The Welshman joined the Reds for the second time in 2011 after also playing for the Reds in the 2006/07 season.

He was part of the squad that made it to the Champions League final in 2007, setting up a 'rematch' against AC Milan after the Miracle of Istanbul.

Unfortunately the Reds were not as successful, and lost 2-1, with Bellamy frustrated he was left out for the entire match.

There's a bit of a pattern here. Bellamy was involved in controversy prior to the final, having an argument with team-mate John Arne Riise which ended with the Welsh international striking the Norwegian with a golf club.

Following the end of the season, Bellamy was told he could leave the club as he was no longer in Benitez's plans.

He then returned in 2011 from Manchester City on deadline day after King Kenny persuaded him to rejoin the Reds.

Bellamy only spent a year with Liverpool (again), but was pivotal in their quest for silverware. The Reds were successful in the League Cup, yet fell at the final hurdle in the FA Cup against Chelsea.

The Welshman then returned to Cardiff City, retired in 2014 and now manages the Wales national football team.

2 - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain

The Ox joined Liverpool from Arsenal in 2017 for £35 million just after the Reds had beaten the London club 4-0.

He had a wonderful start to his Liverpool career, notably scoring a screamer against Manchester City in the 4-3 victory at Anfield.

Disaster struck during the Champions League fixture against Roma though, where he tore his ACL and was out for the rest of the season, and most of 2018/19.

Injuries were unfortunately part of his story with the Reds, and kept him out for extended periods of time. He was loved by the Anfield faithful for his tenacity and hard-work though, and was a wonderful servant of the club until he left at the end of his contract in 2023.

In 146 appearances for the Reds he scored 18 goals and provided 13 assists.

The English midfielder now plays for Celtic.

1- Ryan Gravenberch

The Dutch midfielder joined the Reds for a reported fee of €40million in 2023 from Bayern Munich.

Liverpool's number 38 has enjoyed a wonderful career with the Reds so far, winning several trophies, including the Premier League.

He was instrumental in the league victory under Arne Slot, relishing in a deeper, more defensive role.

Gravenberch has transitioned into several different types of midfielders, from box-to-box, as a 6, and now more recently he has shown his ability going forward and carrying the ball up the pitch.

In the 2024/25 season, he won Young Player of the Year thanks to his immense performances in midfield.

He was rewarded with a new six-year contract with the club in March 2026 as a result of his development at the club.

Still only 24, there is plenty more to come from the Dutch midfielder, and it will be enjoyable to watch how he develops under Iraola this season.

While transfer windows are notoriously defined by chaotic last-minute scrambles and panicked overspending, Liverpool's finest eleventh-hour masterstrokes prove that calculated risks can completely alter a club's trajectory.

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