In terms of the general perception of Liverpool FC fans and football pundits, some of the club’s biggest “flops” or disappointments in recent memory include:
Andy Carroll
– signed for a then-club record fee of £35 million in 2011, Carroll failed to live up to his price tag and struggled with injuries during his time at the club. He scored just 6 goals in 44 appearances before being sold to West Ham United in 2013.
Here are some quotes from various Liverpool FC fans and football pundits regarding Andy Carroll’s time at the club:
“The £35 million signing of Carroll is probably the worst piece of business Liverpool have ever done.” – Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender
“The Andy Carroll signing is up there with one of the worst transfers in history.” – Robbie Fowler, former Liverpool striker
“Andy Carroll was just a terrible signing.” – John Barnes, former Liverpool winger
“Carroll was supposed to be the missing piece in Liverpool’s jigsaw, but instead he turned out to be the final piece of evidence that the club was being run by people who didn’t have a clue.” – Oliver Kay, journalist for The Times
“He was injured for most of his time at Liverpool and when he played, he didn’t score enough goals. It was a huge amount of money to spend on a player who didn’t deliver.” – Alan Hansen, former Liverpool defender and pundit for BBC Sport
Alberto Aquilani
– signed as a replacement for Xabi Alonso in 2009, Aquilani struggled to adapt to the physicality of the Premier League and failed to make a significant impact during his lone season at the club.
Here are some quotes from various Liverpool FC fans and football pundits regarding Alberto Aquilani’s time at the club:
“Liverpool fans will remember Alberto Aquilani as one of the club’s worst signings in history. He was a complete flop.” – Bleacher Report
“I never really understood why Liverpool signed Alberto Aquilani. He was supposed to be the heir to Xabi Alonso, but he wasn’t nearly as good.” – Michael Owen, former Liverpool striker
“Aquilani was signed for big money but never made any sort of impact at Liverpool.” – Mark Lawrenson, former Liverpool defender and pundit for BBC Sport
“Aquilani was a disaster. He was never able to replicate his form from his time in Italy and looked completely out of place in the Premier League.” – John Aldridge, former Liverpool striker
“Liverpool expected Aquilani to replace Alonso, but it was like swapping a Rolls Royce for a Mini. He just wasn’t good enough for the club.” – Phil McNulty, journalist for BBC Sport
Christian Benteke
– signed for £32.5 million in 2015, Benteke failed to fit into Liverpool’s playing style and struggled to score goals consistently. He was sold to Crystal Palace just a year later.
Here are some quotes from various sources about Christian Benteke’s time at Liverpool:
“Liverpool paid £32.5m for Benteke and it is difficult to see how that money could have been worse spent. He didn’t fit the way they played, and when he did get chances he didn’t take them.” – Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender (source: Sky Sports)
“Benteke was an abysmal signing, but it wasn’t his fault. He was never going to fit in with the style of play under Klopp.” – Phil Thompson, former Liverpool player and assistant manager (source: Sky Sports)
“He just doesn’t suit the way Liverpool play. He’s a target man who needs crosses into the box, but Liverpool play a lot of balls on the floor.” – John Aldridge, former Liverpool striker (source: Liverpool Echo)
“Benteke was a disaster. He didn’t have the movement, he didn’t have the work-rate, he didn’t have the ability to link the play.” – Graeme Souness, former Liverpool player and manager (source: Sky Sports)
“Benteke was a square peg in a round hole. He wasn’t suited to the way Liverpool played at the time.” – Mark Lawrenson, former Liverpool defender (source: Liverpool Echo)
Lazar Markovic
– signed in 2014 for £20 million, Markovic failed to make an impact and was loaned out to several different clubs before being released on a free transfer in 2019.
Here are some quotes from various sources about Lazar Markovic’s time at Liverpool:
“Markovic had some nice moments but ultimately his time at Anfield will be remembered for a lack of end product.” – James Pearce, Liverpool Echo journalist (source: Liverpool Echo)
“Markovic was one of the worst signings Liverpool have made in recent years. He was a huge flop and never looked comfortable in a Liverpool shirt.” – Jan Molby, former Liverpool player (source: Liverpool Echo)
“Markovic was a classic example of a player who looked good in Europe but couldn’t cut it in the Premier League.” – Neil Jones, Goal.com journalist (source: Goal.com)
“Markovic was a mystery to me. He was quick, technically gifted and had played Champions League football for Benfica. But he never seemed to know what he was doing.” – Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender (source: Daily Mail)
“Markovic never lived up to the hype at Liverpool. He was a promising young player but he lacked the consistency needed to succeed in the Premier League.” – Chris Bascombe, Daily Telegraph journalist (source: Daily Telegraph)
Robbie Keane
– signed for £19 million in 2008, Keane struggled to adapt to Liverpool’s playing style and was sold back to Tottenham Hotspur just six months later.
Here are some quotes from various sources about Robbie Keane’s time at Liverpool:
“Keane was a big-money flop at Anfield, scoring just five goals in 19 appearances. He looked out of place in a Liverpool shirt and never really settled in.” – James Pearce, Liverpool Echo journalist (source: Liverpool Echo)
“Keane was a huge disappointment at Liverpool. He didn’t fit in with the way they played and he didn’t score enough goals.” – Phil Thompson, former Liverpool player and assistant manager (source: Liverpool Echo)
“Keane was a victim of circumstance at Liverpool. He didn’t get the chances he deserved and he never had a real opportunity to show what he could do.” – Jamie Redknapp, former Liverpool midfielder (source: Sky Sports)
“Keane was a complete waste of money. He didn’t have the right attitude and he didn’t seem to care about playing for Liverpool.” – Neil Mellor, former Liverpool striker (source: Liverpool Echo)
“Keane was a good player, but he didn’t work out at Liverpool. He struggled to adapt to the way they played and he didn’t seem to have the support of the manager or his teammates.” – Mark Lawrenson, former Liverpool defender (source: Liverpool Echo)
It’s worth noting that while these players may be considered “flops”, they are still professional footballers who have achieved a level of success that most people can only dream of. Additionally, opinions on players can vary widely among fans and pundits, and some may disagree with these assessments.