Top 5 Free transfers in Liverpool history

In the age of shelling out millions of dollars for top quality players, signing a quality player on a free transfer is quite something. Transfers have become increasingly expensive these days with clubs prepared to offer millions of dollars for their needs. Free transfers are also known as Bosman signings and are considered no less than a coup in today’s inflationary transfer market.

Over the course of time, a large number of players have run down their contracts and moved on to new clubs for free. Some have been successful at their new club while for some the move failed to pay dividends.

Players like Andrea Pirlo, Robert Lewandowski were signed by Juventus and Bayern Munich respectively for free and went on to make a huge impact at the respective clubs. Through this article, we will take a look at the top 5 players who were signed by Liverpool for free and went on to make their mark at Anfield.

---

#5 Kolo Toure

Kolo Toure signed for free from Manchester City in 2013

Liverpool signed Kolo Toure on a free transfer from Manchester City in May 2013. He signed a 2-year contract and was handed the #4 shirt. Kolo, the senior of the Toure brothers, had already won the Premier League title with Arsenal and Manchester City before moving to Anfield.

He was a part of the famous “invincible” Arsenal side of 2003-04 and helped Manchester City clinch their first league title in 44 years. Toure played a big role in Liverpool’s brilliant run in the league during the 2013-14 season in which they finished a close second, just 2 points short of Manchester City.

Kolo appeared 36 times in the Liverpool shirt and scored a solitary goal for the Reds. However, the former Ivory Coast international played with a beaming smile and was an instant hit with the fans. He was released by Liverpool at the end of 2015-16 season and joined Celtic thereafter.

#4 Maxi Rodriguez

Maxi Rodriguez scored 2 hat tricks at Liverpool

Maxi Rodriguez joined Liverpool for free from Atletico Madrid in January 2010, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal. Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez who signed Maxi was full of praise for him and described him as a good finisher.

The diminutive midfielder went on to score 17 goals in 73 appearances for the club. Maxi was at his peak form during the end of 2010-11 season when he scored 2 hat tricks for Liverpool. The first one came against Birmingham at Anfield while the second came against Fulham at craven cottage in a 5-2 thumping of the home side. He also scored in two victories over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Maxi finally left Liverpool at the end of 2011-12 season to rejoin his former club Newell's Old Boys in Argentina. Although the Argentine was not quite in the good books of the three different managers he had at Anfield, he was quite popular with the fans at Liverpool.

#3 Fabio Aurelio

Aurelio was the first Brazilian to have signed for Liverpool

After his six-year contract at Valencia had expired, Aurelio joined Liverpool on a free transfer in July 2006 and became the first Brazilian to sign for the club. Fabio suffered an injury setback in his very first season as he injured his achilles tendon in a UEFA Champions League tie against PSV in April 2007 and then went on to miss the remainder of 2006–07 season.

Aurélio went on to establish himself as Liverpool's first choice left-back but his career was marred by injuries and he could not play regularly for Liverpool. He scored four goals in his 134 appearances for the club.

The highlight of his career was a brilliant free-kick goal at Old Trafford during the 2009 season in a 4-1 rout of Manchester United. He left Liverpool at the end of the 2011–12 season, having spent six seasons at the club. He then returned to Brazil and joined Gremio on a free transfer.

#2 Gary McAllister

McAllister was sensational in his short spell at Liverpool

Gary McAllister joined Liverpool in July 2000 on a free transfer. The move raised a few eyebrows as the fans questioned manager Gerard Houllier’s decision of bringing in a 35-year old at the club.

However, he soon went on to become a fans favorite during the treble-winning 2000-01 season. McAllister was trusted with the set piece duties and did a phenomenal job of it. His 44-yard free kick helped Liverpool clinch the Merseyside Derby in injury time. He scored the winning penalty kick against Barcelona in the UEFA Cup semi-final and had a hand in 3 out of 5 goals scored by Liverpool in the final against Alaves.

He was given the Man of the match award for his efforts. Despite only being at Liverpool for two years, he featured 87 times and scored nine goals. He left Liverpool at the end of 2001-02 season to take up the role of player-manager of Coventry City.

#1 James Milner

James Milner has been an inspirational figure at Liverpool

James Milner joined Liverpool on a free transfer in June 2015. The senior pro went on to captain Liverpool in just his third appearance for the club. He was given the responsibility of taking the penalties and has been performing that role in an exceptional manner.

Milner was brilliant for Liverpool during the 2018-19 season and broke the record for most assists in a UEFA Champions League season with 9 assists. In December 2018, Milner became just the 13th player in the Premier League history to reach 500 appearances. The ultimate pro that he is, Milner never once objected to playing at right back/left back for Liverpool whenever there was an injury crisis at the back.

Lately, he has been deployed on the right-hand side of the midfield by Jurgen Klopp. Milner has made 158 appearances for Liverpool and has 20 goals to his name. Milner is a vital part of Jurgen Klopp’s plans who can use Milner’s versatility and experience all over the pitch.