• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
What happened to Liverpool's weirdest ever January signing three years on?

Home> Football> Football News> Liverpool

Published 16:32 31 Jan 2024 GMT

What happened to Liverpool's weirdest ever January signing three years on?

The deal that didn't work out.

Ryan Smart

Ryan Smart

Liverpool have been involved in some of the most memorable transfers in the history of the January window - but their business hasn't always been successful.

On one side of the scale, the Reds brought in Luis Suarez from Ajax for £22.8 million in 2011, with the Uruguayan going on to become one of the most potent strikers in Premier League history.

The likes of Philippe Coutinho, Daniel Sturridge, Luis Diaz and Martin Skrtel were all signed in the first month of the year, while who can forget Virgil van Dijk's much-heralded arrival in 2018?

Advert

But with all that talent, there have also been some players that simply didn't succeed at Anfield.

The most high-profile of those would surely be the 2012 arrival of Andy Carroll, for whom the Reds had to pay Newcastle a heavily inflated £35 million to sign after the £50 million sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea.

Three years ago, meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp's desperate search for a centre-back to cover season-ending injuries to Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Van Dijk saw him end up at Championship side Preston North End on February 1, 2021.

The Lilywhites had failed to sign star centre-back Ben Davies to a new contract, and with his current deal expiring the following summer, the Reds swooped in and signed him for a discounted price.

Advert

Reds fans were mostly under no illusions that the left-footed centre-back had been brought in as a short-term measure, alongside the loan signing of Schalke defender Ozan Kabak on the same deadline day.

As it turned out, Klopp preferred to start Kabak, who produced some mixed displays in his 13 appearances for the club.

Davies appeared on the bench on several occasions over the remainder of that season, but never made a senior appearance.

Ben Davies in action during a pre-season friendly for Liverpool (
Getty)

Advert

He returned to the Championship on loan for the 2021/22 season, but rather than a return to Deepdale, the Barrow-born defender joined newly-relegated Sheffield United.

The following summer, Davies was sold to Scottish giants Rangers for an initial £3 million - meaning Liverpool made a profit on the £500,000 they spent to sign the Englishman, despite him never playing a game.

Now 28, the centre-back remains at Rangers, despite reportedly being close to leaving the club last summer.

Getty

Advert

He was even placed on corner duty during a match against Sparta Prague in October, an indication of his skill on the ball.

But he has made just four league appearances this term and, having missed the last month through injury, may be on the move again in the summer transfer window.

Speaking to Sheffield United's official website about why he initially made the move to Anfield, Davies reflected: "It's a move that you can never turn down. It was really exciting.

"The whole setup there is incredible. The club's like you wouldn't believe until you actually get in there and see it for yourself.

Advert

"So I've had a good six months or so, but obviously playing football is the most important thing to any footballer."

Featured Image Credit: Getty

Topics: Liverpool, Football, Rangers, Sheffield United, Preston North End, Jurgen Klopp, Transfers

Ryan Smart
Ryan Smart

Live in constant hope of the top flight as a Preston North End fan. Written in the past for SPORF, GiveMeSport and more.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

5 hours ago
6 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • 5 hours ago

    Erik ten Hag to get rid of Bayer Leverkusen player for the second time after selling him to the club while in charge of Man Utd

    Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag looks poised to get rid of the same player for two different clubs.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Fans lose their minds and say 'announce Yamal' after Barcelona superstar spotted in Premier League club's shirt

    Lamine Yamal sent fans wild this week after being seen in an iconic English football shirt.

    Football
  • 6 hours ago

    Sir Alex Ferguson ripped into former Man Utd star for what he allowed Cristiano Ronaldo to do

    Sir Alex Ferguson lectured the former Manchester United player following the incident with Cristiano Ronaldo.

    Football
  • 10 hours ago

    Football legend reveals he was on the verge of signing for Man Utd after idolising Old Trafford star for years

    The player represented the likes of Barcelona, Inter and AC Milan during his career but never got the chance to play for Manchester United.

    Football
  • What happened to Liverpool's weirdest-ever January signing four years on from bizarre transfer
  • Liverpool closing in on shock signing out of nowhere who has been targeted by Man Utd
  • What happened to Liverpool's two weirdest-ever signings three years on?
  • Liverpool's youngest-ever goalscorer joins League Two club just two years after leaving Anfield