Liverpool’s best Premier League signings of all time

Liverpool are one of the most successful clubs in English football, having crowned themselves champions of England 20 times throughout their illustrious history.

Yet the Premier League era has not always been kind to the Reds. After the competition was rebranded in 1992, Liverpool endured a long wait for their next league title, finally ending a 30-year drought when Jurgen Klopp's side lifted the trophy in 2020.

Along the way, the club has been home to some truly outstanding players, with several signings going on to etch their names into Liverpool folklore.

Here, FootballWhispers counts down the five best signings Liverpool have made during the Premier League era.

Picking just five from such a rich pool of talent is no straightforward task, and any ranking of this nature will inevitably carry an element of subjectivity, particularly when comparing players from different generations and positions.

For this list, however, performance, achievements, longevity and overall impact have been the key criteria.

5) Jordan Henderson

Steven Gerrard may have set the gold standard for what it means to captain Liverpool, but Jordan Henderson carved out a legacy of his own while wearing the famous armband.

Henderson joined the Reds from Sunderland in the summer of 2011 and went on to make an impressive 492 appearances, scoring 33 goals along the way.

His finest years came under Jurgen Klopp, where he evolved into a crucial figure in Liverpool's resurgence. Henderson played a central role as the Reds climbed back to the summit of English and European football, lifting both the Premier League and Champions League.

In the historic 2019-20 campaign, Henderson was rewarded for his outstanding leadership and performances by being named FWA Footballer of the Year.

More than just a midfielder, he was the heartbeat of Klopp's team, setting relentless standards for himself and demanding the same intensity and commitment from those around him.

4) Sadio Mane

In Mane's own words, it was Jurgen Klopp who personally convinced him to swap Southampton for Liverpool, a decision that would transform both the Senegalese forward's career and the club's fortunes.

Signed for £34m, Mane made an instant impression by scoring on his debut against Arsenal and never looked back.

The Senegal superstar went on to make 269 appearances, scoring 120 goals and providing 46 assists across all competitions. His explosiveness, relentless running and ruthless finishing made him one of the most feared forwards in the Premier League.

Alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Mane formed part of one of Liverpool's most devastating attacking trios, helping the Reds conquer both England and Europe by winning the Premier League and Champions League.

Mane spent only six years at Anfield, but his impact far outweighed his relatively short stay. He arrived as an exciting Southampton winger and departed as a Liverpool legend, having done more than enough to secure his place among the club's all-time greats.

3) Alisson Becker

From Ray Clemence and Bruce Grobbelaar to Tommy Lawrence and Pepe Reina, Liverpool have enjoyed a remarkable lineage of goalkeeping greats. Yet when it comes to the Premier League era, few can hold a candle to Alisson Becker.

Signed from AS Roma for around £66.8m, the Brazilian quickly justified his enormous price tag and has remained the undisputed first choice under every Liverpool manager he has played for. His composure, shot-stopping and ability with the ball at his feet have made him one of the finest goalkeepers in world football.

Alisson has been a cornerstone of Liverpool's most successful modern era, playing a pivotal role in their Premier League and Champions League triumphs while producing countless match-winning saves when his team needed him most.

And then there was that goal. With Liverpool desperately chasing a Champions League place in 2021, Alisson rose highest to head home a stoppage-time winner against West Bromwich Albion. It was a moment of sheer madness and magic, perfectly befitting a goalkeeper who has repeatedly gone above and beyond the call of duty for the Reds.

Want to know who Liverpool might sign this summer? Check out our Liverpool transfer targets page

2) Virgil van Dijk

Philippe Coutinho's blockbuster move to Barcelona proved to be a blessing in disguise for Liverpool, with the proceeds helping the Reds bring in both Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk. Both would go on to become monumental figures in the club's modern history.

Van Dijk was already operating at an elite level during his time at Southampton, but Liverpool had no hesitation in paying a then-record £75m for his services in January 2018. It proved to be money exceptionally well spent.

Arguably one of the finest defenders the Premier League has ever produced, the Dutchman transformed Liverpool's backline almost overnight. His remarkable composure, physical dominance and ability to read the game made him the defensive cornerstone of Jurgen Klopp's greatest side.

Now 35, Van Dijk continues to defy the ageing curve, while his leadership has become just as valuable as his defending.

A commanding presence at the heart of the team, he has played a pivotal role in Liverpool winning two Premier League titles and one Champions League, firmly cementing his status as a modern club legend.

1) Liverpool's best Premier League signing of all time: Mo Salah

The impact Mohamed Salah has had on Liverpool cannot be reduced to a collection of goals and assists. The numbers are extraordinary, of course, but they only tell part of the story. Salah has become the club's all-time leading Premier League goalscorer with 191 goals, turning himself into a figure far greater than the statistics suggest.

The Egyptian ranks third on Liverpool's all-time scoring charts with 251 goals, while his individual honours are equally remarkable. He has won the Premier League Player of the Year award twice and claimed the Golden Boot on four occasions, underlining just how consistently devastating he has been in front of goal.

But Salah's connection with the supporters goes beyond what he has produced on the pitch. The left-footed magician became an instant icon at Anfield, with Liverpool fans affectionately crowning him their King – a title that had last been synonymous with Kenny Dalglish.

Liverpool signed Salah from Roma for £36.5m in 2017, and what followed has been one of the greatest individual stories in the club's modern history.

For everything he has delivered, his contribution cannot be measured in monetary terms, and there is little doubt that Salah stands as Liverpool's greatest signing of the Premier League era – and second only to Dalglish among the club's greatest signings of all time.