5 players whose careers faltered after joining Liverpool

Numerous players have moved to Liverpool and have enriched their careers in the process. Aside from the trophies and accolades, the sheer euphoria of performing well in front of the Kop is bound to be an achievement.

But while many have made Anfield their home, some have had to endure rocky times there. For an unfortunate few, those rocky times have followed them even after their departure from Merseyside.

A host of factors were responsible for this like chemistry issues, injuries, and weird transfer dealings. Perhaps these players were not ready for a big stage like Anfield or they could not make use of it as they would have preferred.

On that note, here are 5 players whose careers faltered after joining Liverpool.

#1 Danny Ings

Ings can still revive his career

A Bournemouth youth product, Ings made his name made his name after he moved to Burnley in 2011. He exploded in the 2013-14 season, netting 26 goals as Burnley finished second in the Championship to gain direct promotion to the Premier League. Courtesy of his contributions, he won the Championship Player of the Year.

Next season in the Premier League he carried on his form, scoring 11 league goals. But Burnley were relegated nevertheless. Liverpool signed him for £6.5 million for the following campaign, keeping him in the top flight.

He made 9 appearances under former manager Brendan Rodgers, scoring 3 goals. Rodgers was sacked to give way to Jurgen Klopp. Ings suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in the German's first training session, which all but ended his season.

He recovered earlier than expected but suffered damage to his knee in the wee days of the new season. By that time Roberto Firmino had established himself as Klopp's striker and was performing admirably.

Ings did make 14 appearances for the Reds last season, but most of them were from the bench. His ability is not in doubt but injuries have taken their toll and career at Merseyside has never really taken off.

#2 Nuri Sahin

Sahin arguably made a mistake by leaving Dortmund

Sahin made a name for himself in Germany with Borussia Dortmund, playing under Jurgen Klopp. After a solid 2009-10 season where he contributed four goals and eight assists, the midfielder had his best season till date.

Six goals, eight assists, and some impressive midfield play followed as Dortmund won the Bundesliga. Sahin was voted as Bundesliga player of the Year that season.

He left Germany after the triumph, joining giants Real Madrid. The first season in Spain was forgettable, as the Turkish made just four league appearances due to injuries. He was loaned out to Liverpool, where Brendan Rodgers was in charge.

Rodgers often played Sahin out of position and he could not impact proceedings. He managed only twelve appearances in England and went back to Dortmund through Real.

He has failed to revive his old form in Germany and has not been able to cement a starting place since the departure of Klopp. Saying that Liverpool ruined him is a stretch, but he definitely has not been the same player since.

#3 Joe Cole

Cole was not able to emulate his Chelsea days at Liverpool

Cole enjoyed his best years at Chelsea, where he won three league titles and more importantly was able to play games without fitness issues. Injuries did occur in West London, but they were manageable.

In 2010 he moved to Liverpool as players like Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda and even Salomon Kalou were ahead of him in the pecking order. He had a tough time at Anfield, as injuries continued to pester him.

He had a loan spell at Lille in between where he actually impressed, but a return to England awakened the injury demons again. In 2013 he brought an end to an ill-fated time in Liverpool and moved to his boyhood club, West Ham United.

But he could never quite revive his career, moving to Aston Villa and Coventry City in vain. Cole was one of the most talented players of his generation, but injuries ravaged him and never allowed him to flourish.

#4 Andy Carroll

Carroll after scoring his first goals for Liverpool

Liverpool signed Luis Suarez and Andy Carroll for world-record fees in December 2011 to replace the departed Fernando Torres. Boy did they have contrasting futures ahead of them! Believe it or not, Carroll was the costlier one, and by a substantial £12 million.

Carroll was a force at Newcastle United, and his goals had led his side to promotion. In his first season in the Premier League, he netted 11 goals in 19 appearances till the January window. Convinced, Liverpool signed him to replace Torres.

He scored only twice for Liverpool that season. The following season he played regularly but managed only four league goals. Suarez was becoming the world-class player he is now, and Carroll was a surplus to Liverpool.

He was loaned out to West Ham and the deal was made permanent in 2013. Injuries and inconsistency have meant that Carroll has made more than 20 appearances only twice as a Hammer. This time he has suffered an injury even before the season commences. That's Andy Carroll for you. After he left Liverpool, anyway.

#5 Jose Enrique

Enrique failed to build on his career at Anfield

Enrique is another Newcastle purchase who failed to reproduce his Tyneside form ever again. Beginning his professional career in Spain, he moved to the Premier League in 2007 as Sam Allardyce signed him for the Toons.

The Spaniard evolved into a fine left-back at St. James' Park and was soon catching the eyes of bigger teams. He was voted as the Newcastle United Player of the Season in 2009-10 by the fans and made it to the PFA Championship Team of the Year.

He moved to Liverpool in 2011 when Kenny Dalglish was in charge. The first two seasons were satisfactory enough but the arrival of Brendan Rodgers changes things. Enrique went out of favour and his Liverpool career petered out.

Enrique retired in 2017 after persistent knee problems. One thing is for sure, he'll remember his Newcastle days with definite fondness.