Liverpool have lost a trio of first-team stars to free agency this summer but maintain a long history of securing bargains themselves
Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson of Liverpool applaud the fans on the pitch following their guard of honour after the Premier League match between Liverpool and Brentford
Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson have waved goodbye to Liverpool(Image: Getty)
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Liverpool will be without Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate next season after the trio departed this week upon the expiration of their contracts. But the Reds have taken full advantage of free transfers in the past.
The Andoni Iraola era at Anfield will soon begin and with it will come a plethora of changes. Notably, some of Liverpool's most loyal modern servants will have waved goodbye to the club.
Robertson, a two-time Premier League winner in red, has joined Tottenham on a free transfer and Salah's nine-year, record-breaking tenure also ended after his contract was terminated a year early. Konate has joined Real Madrid.
Whilst free agency has claimed a few casualties this year, in seasons gone by Liverpool have been proficient at securing bargains. TheECHO takes a look at some notable free arrivals on Merseyside in recent times.
Joel Matip
One of Jurgen Klopp's first signings at Liverpool was a free one, as Joel Matip touched down and signed a four-year deal after his Schalke contract had ended in the summer of 2016. He had struck a pre-contract agreement with the club in February.
What a signing Matip turned out to be. Before his arrival, Liverpool's defence, featuring the likes of Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel, had come under fire.
But Matip solidified the back line and when joined by Virgil van Dijk in 2018, he helped Liverpool win a Champions League trophy and Premier League title. However, he played a bit-part role in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons, starring in just 25 games combined.
Joel Matip of Liverpool after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers
Matip retired a Liverpool icon(Image: Getty)
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Matip returned to fitness in the 2021/22 season as Van Dijk's regular partner when the Reds chased down a quadruple but fell narrowly short, claiming a domestic cup double. His last two seasons were injury-hit before he was released in the summer of 2024 and soon announced his retirement from football as a Liverpool cult hero.
James Milner
Another free acquisition, James Milner, also achieved hero status at Anfield. Having arrived from Manchester City in 2015, Milner spent eight seasons at Liverpool, acting as an example to all of his team-mates in fitness and discipline.
Milner was beloved by Klopp, who, upon the player's departure in 2023, said: "[It has been] a pleasure and a challenge. In the same moment [it] means a pleasure because of his exceptional attitude, really.
Jurgen Klopp the manager / head coach of Liverpool and James Milner of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool
Klopp loved having Milner at Anfield(Image: Getty)
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"I think for a lot of experienced players you use from time to time the word 'role model'. But Millie is the role model, how he puts himself pretty much in place to be every day 100 per cent ready. It's a pure example; absolutely outstanding."
Milner was also a key piece of Liverpool's 2019 Champions League win and 2020 league title. He only retired from professional football in June, aged 40, after three years with Brighton.
Kolo Toure
Kolo Toure brought Premier League-winning experience when he arrived at Liverpool on a free transfer from Manchester City in 2013. He proved to be an invaluable acquisition for Brendan Rodgers.
In his first season at the club, he played a significant role in Liverpool's breathless, unexpected charge for the Premier League title alongside Luis Suarez and Steven Gerrard. He made 20 league appearances that year.
Kolo Toure of Liverpool during a press conference at Melwood Training Ground
Toure was part of Arsenal's Invincibles squad(Image: Getty)
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He, too, would become somewhat of a fan favourite, with his infamous chant and impeccable work ethic. His final game for the Reds was the 2016 Europa League final, in which, despite the 3-1 defeat to Sevilla, he performed admirably. One year with Celtic followed before he hung up his boots.
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