Liverpool has seen some big names leave at the peak of their careers, but few have gone on to have more success at clubs like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and PSG
Liverpool have shown that life isn’t always greener away from Anfield.
Throughout Jurgen Klopp’s tenure, the Reds have largely adhered to a financial structure, refusing to overpay for players and not wilting in the face of exorbitant wage demands when it comes to contract renewals. As a result, several players have left Merseyside for greener pastures.
It could be the perceived opportunity for greater success or the wealth on offer. Liverpool, on the other hand, has rarely missed them, instead finding suitable replacements and continuing to thrive, while those who have left have not fared as well.
The Merseyside club are set to rebuild this summer after a difficult season, but those who’ve left in recent seasons have rarely gone on to better things, as we look at some of the names who’ve left and perhaps wish they hadn’t.
Coutinho, Philippe
When he left Anfield in January 2018, the Brazilian was arguably the crown jewel, but the record fee he raised would prove to be the catalyst for the club’s success under Klopp. Coutinho had pushed for a move to Barcelona the previous summer, and had been left out of the team as a result before being reintroduced.
He did, however, make the move in January, earning the Reds more than £140 million if all of his clauses were met. Coutinho’s dream move was anything but, as he struggled to live up to the hype and eventually saw the fans turn against him. The occasional flash of brilliance wasn’t enough, and he watched from afar as the Reds claimed domestic and European glory.
He was eventually loaned out to Bayern Munich, where he won a Champions League in a minor role, and has now returned to England with Aston Villa, but is far from tearing it up at Villa Park.
Emre Canaan
The midfielder was an important part of the team Klopp inherited, scoring the season’s first goal against Watford late in the 2016-17 season, but he left Liverpool on a free transfer the following summer. Klopp wanted to keep the German, but his wage demands were more than the Reds could afford.
He eventually accepted a large salary at Juventus, who had become the masters of signing free agents. Can did not have the desired impact in Turin, despite the team’s consistent success, and Maurizio Sarri did not like him when he arrived at the club.
Eighteen months after moving to Italy, he was back in his homeland, joining Borussia Dortmund on loan before making the move permanent.
Ibe, Jordon
Imagine how good he could have been if he had worked under Klopp as a kid. Ibe joined Wycombe as a teenager in 2011 and was highly regarded, but he left for Bournemouth for £15 million in 2016.
Yes, it could be argued that minutes were difficult to come by at Liverpool at first. But who’s to say he couldn’t have bloomed in the end if he’d played the long game?
Instead, his time at the Cherries was short-lived, and he moved to Adanaspor in Turkey’s second division in 2022, only to be released after a year and now looking for a new club.
Wijnaldum, Gini
Many believe Liverpool have yet to adequately replace the Dutchman due to the gap he left in the middle of the field, but Wijnaldum did not go on to tear it up when he joined PSG for nothing in the summer of 2021.
For months, the player and the club were in contract talks, but as the season came to a close, it became clear that a solution would not be found, and despite long-term interest from Barcelona and Ronald Koeman, he eventually chose a move to Paris.
Wijnaldum struggled for minutes, and he was eventually dropped from the national team. Within a year of joining, he chose to move to another of Europe’s capitals, Rome, where he would work with Jose Mourinho. He has just returned from a lengthy injury layoff.
Takumi Minamino is a Japanese actor.
The forward never quite cut it at Liverpool, but he was a useful asset for Klopp to have. Many of his appearances came from the bench, but he was able to fill in admirably when the team needed some rest.
Minamino was eager to gain more minutes in the summer and traveled to Monaco, but the move did not go as planned. He’s still fighting for a regular first-team spot with the Ligue 1 club, having scored just once in 20 appearances this season.
L’Equipe previously slammed his move, claiming it was a “marketing exercise” by the principality club to “break into the market” in Asia.
When asked about Minamino’s lack of starts, Monaco manager Philippe Clement said: “It’s simple; there are only eleven spots available on the team.’
Taki’ had been doing well in training for some time and was ready. I give opportunities to players who are ready, but I am unable to reward everyone who works hard in training.”
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