Michael Edwards' five best and worst Liverpool signings ranked as return agreed
Liverpool's former transfer supremo is back at the club in a new role that will see him responsible for deciding on Jurgen Klopp's replacement as manager
Michael Edwards had a huge impact on Liverpool's recruitment during his first stint - now he has to deliver the goods again and shape the post-Jurgen Klopp era.
The Merseysiders agreed a deal to bring Edwards back to Anfield as the club's football CEO on Tuesday, March 12. As well as overseeing the football operations of the Premier League giants, he will be entrusted by Fenway Sports Group to lead an expansion that will see him oversee an additional club.
Edwards, 44, was instrumental in the club's recent success, which saw the Reds win the Premier League, the Champions League, the League Cup and the FA Cup. As Liverpool fans celebrate his return, Daily Star Sport has a look at the many transfer hits and misses he had in his first stint at Anfield - starting with the worst...
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Michael Edwards' five worst signings for Liverpool
5 - Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
This might seem a bit harsh on the ex-Arsenal and Southampton player, but Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is on the list due to his unfortunate injury history. While 'the ox' had a promising start at Liverpool, a knee injury he sustained in the 2018 Champions League semi-final against Roma kept him out for a whole year.
He lost his rhythm - as well as his place in the first team to Fabinho - and has since only been used as a substitute. Despite winning lots of trophies at Anfield, it's starting to feel like Arsenal did quite well to get £35m for him, which is a hefty sum for a squad player.
4. Takumi Minamino
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Takumi Minamino never really hit his stride at Liverpool. He joined from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020 with high expectations, but replacing Mo Salah or Sadio Mane was always going to be tough.
After showing little of his potential and slipping down the ranks with Diogo Jota's arrival, he was loaned to Southampton in 2021 before moving to Monaco in the summer of 2022.
3 - Naby Keita
Despite being the Reds' priciest midfielder after a £52m transfer, Naby Keita couldn't secure a first-team spot.
Gini Wijnaldum's move to PSG in the summer of 2022 opened up a midfield position, but the Guinea international still struggled to make the midfield his own. Keita ended his Anfield struggles last summer, joining Bundesliga side Werder Bremen on a free transfer.
2 - Thiago Alcantara
Thiago Alcantara's move to Anfield, just weeks after Klopp's team clinched the Premier League title, was expected to send chills down the spines of rival fans. However, despite his impressive track record with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, he has struggled to shine in Klopp's fast-paced midfield.
Critics suggest that Thiago, a skilled passer, simply doesn't fit into Klopp's style of play. Liverpool may have only paid £20m for him, but they were expecting a top-class playmaker at his peak. With Klopp on his way at the end of the season, Thiago may get another opportunity to prove his form and his fitness under the next manager.
1. Loris Karius
Loris Karius is another player who didn't live up to the hype. His career will always be remembered for one game.
The German goalkeeper wasn't really up to the task of being Liverpool's long-term number one, but he found himself in goal for the biggest club football match, the Champions League final, in 2018. Liverpool lost 3-1 to Real Madrid, and Karius was comically responsible for two goals.
He threw the ball onto Karim Benzema's leg for Madrid's first goal, then fumbled a weak long-range shot by Gareth Bale into his own net for the third. Images of Karius crying and saying sorry to the fans after the match are still heartbreaking.
But the truth is, his errors cost Liverpool when it mattered most, and he never played for the club again.
And now for the best....
Michael Edwards' five best signings for Liverpool
5 - Joel Matip
Joel Matip may not be the most famous names on the Liverpool team, but his value to the club is huge. He joined Liverpool for free from Schalke in 2016 and has since become one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League.
While Virgil van Dijk often gets the spotlight, it's clear that a successful team needs more than one strong defender. After suffering a knee ligament injury during the Reds' 4-3 victory over Fulham in December, the Cameroonian was ruled out for the season after he underwent surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament.
4 - Andy Robertson
When Liverpool signed young left-back Andy Robertson from Hull City, many were surprised. But it didn't take long for him to become a crucial part of the team.
Alongside Trent Alexander-Arnold, Robertson has changed the role of a fullback with his speed, energy and excellent crossing ability. He's now one of Liverpool's biggest attacking threats.
Many consider him one of the best in the world in his position, making the £8m Liverpool paid for him in 2017 seem like a real bargain.
3 - Alisson Becker
Alisson Becker's role in Liverpool's recent success is massive. The Reds shelled out a hefty £66m for him in 2018, but they got their money's worth - one of the world's best goalkeepers.
Having a top-notch keeper is crucial for any team aiming for the title, and it filled a hole that Liverpool had struggled to fill since Bruce Grobbelaar left in 1994.
While Pepe Reina had his moments, Alisson is the first truly high-quality goalie Liverpool have had in the Premier League, and wouldn't you know it, they won the title in his second season.
2 - Mohamed Salah
The Egyptian is arguably playing the best football of his career right now, which is quite a statement.
Snapped up for what now seems like a bargain price of just £37m, Mo Salah has become one of the Premier League's most consistent scorers and has certainly carved his name into the Liverpool history books.
At the time of writing, Salah has contributed 205 goals and 89 assists in 335 games. He'll easily be remembered as one of Liverpool's greatest ever players.
1 - Virgil van Dijk
While Salah could have easily claimed the top spot, the signing that really transformed Liverpool into a force to be reckoned with was Virgil van Dijk. The towering Dutchman instantly tightened up Klopp's shaky defence after joining in January 2018 for a staggering £75m from Southampton.
Rival fans made fun of the fee, but they soon stopped laughing. Just a year and a half later, van Dijk was showing off a Champions League winner's medal and a PFA Player of the Year award. His leadership skills, game understanding, strong presence and ball skills have proven to be as valuable as gold.
The defender's arrival was the first real sign that Liverpool were not just happy with being in the top four. They were aiming for the Premier League title, and nothing was going to get in their way.