Liverpool's 10 Most Expensive Signings of All-time
- Think Football Ideas
- Aug 11
- 5 min read
Updated: Sep 4
Liverpool Football Club are well known for recruiting players that fit a certain profile - footballers whose talent, mentality, and work ethic align with the club’s identity.
They achieve this by combining data-driven scouting, meticulous analysis of player potential, and a clear understanding of how each signing will integrate into their preferred tactical system.
But as they continue to compete at the highest levels in both domestic and European football, there is also an expectation to invest heavily when the right opportunity arises. Over the years, this has led to a number of high-profile transfers that have broken club records and, in some cases, redefined the market itself.
Below Are Liverpool's 10 Most Expensive Signings of All-time
1. Alexander Isak (£125m)
Liverpool shattered their transfer record with the signing of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United in a deal worth £125m, rising to £130m with add-ons, making the Swedish forward the most expensive player in the club’s history.
The 25-year-old, who penned a six-year contract worth £250,000 per week, arrived at Anfield with the ambition of “creating history and winning trophies” while donning the iconic number nine shirt.
The move, finalised on September 1, 2025, underlined Liverpool’s determination to build on their recent Premier League title success, taking their summer outlay beyond £400m in a record-breaking window.
Isak, who scored 27 goals in the 2024-25 season and played a pivotal role in Newcastle’s Carabao Cup triumph, now steps into the spotlight as Liverpool’s marquee signing, a deal that ranks among the biggest transfers in world football history.
2. Florian Wirtz (£116.5m)
Florian Wirtz joined Liverpool in June 2025 for £116.5 million, becoming the club’s most expensive signing and one of football’s priciest transfers.
The young German star rose through 1. FC Köln’s youth system before excelling at Bayer Leverkusen, where he broke records as the youngest goalscorer and led them to their first Bundesliga title.
Despite a serious knee injury in 2022, Wirtz returned strongly, winning Player of the Season honours. At Liverpool, he symbolises ambition and youth, expected to drive their pursuit of domestic and European success.
3. Darwin Núñez (£85.36m)
Darwin Núñez arrived in 2022 for £85.36 million after a stellar spell at Portuguese side Benfica, where he was top scorer. The Uruguayan overcame early injuries to become a powerful forward with a keen eye for goal.
At Liverpool, his debut season under Jurgen Klopp was a mix of promise with inconsistency, but he contributed crucial goals and helped win the EFL Cup in 2024 and the Premier League under Arne Slot's leadership in 2025.
Núñez left for Al-Hilal in August 2025, closing a memorable three-year chapter at Merseyside, which was marked by determination and key contributions. These 15 facts about Darwin Nunez provide more insight into the Uruguay striker.
4. Virgil van Dijk (£75m)
Signed from Southampton in January 2018 for a then-world-record £75 million fee for a defender, Virgil van Dijk transformed Liverpool’s defence almost instantly.
After rising through the Dutch leagues and impressing at Southampton, he brought leadership and dominance, marking his debut with a goal. Under Klopp, Van Dijk was instrumental in Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League triumph and their first league title in 30 years in 2020.
Despite suffering a serious ACL injury in 2020, he remained a cornerstone of the team and was named club captain in 2023, combining defensive solidity with crucial goals.
He also helped the Reds secure their second Premier League title in 2025, during Arne Slot's first campaign as manager, cementing his status as one of the club’s greatest defenders of the Premier League era.
5. Alisson Becker (£65m)
Liverpool paid a world-record £65 million for Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker in 2018, securing one of Europe’s best shot-stoppers. The Brazilian shone at Roma with 22 clean sheets in 2017–18 and was key in their Champions League run.
At Liverpool, Alisson won the Golden Glove in his debut season and helped secure the 2019 Champions League and Premier League titles in 2020 and 2025. His commanding presence, reflexes, and calm distribution have made him essential to Liverpool’s recent successes.
6. Dominik Szoboszlai (£60.1m)
Liverpool triggered Dominik Szoboszlai’s £60 million release clause from RB Leipzig in 2023, betting on his creativity and vision. The Hungarian impressed at Red Bull Salzburg and Leipzig before joining Anfield, where injuries slowed his start.
Nonetheless, Szoboszlai emerged as a key playmaker, creating the most chances for Liverpool early in the 2023–24 Premier League season.
He became the club’s first Hungarian goalscorer, with his flair and long-range strikes adding a new dimension to Liverpool’s midfield and signalling high hopes for his long-term impact.
7. Naby Keïta (£52.75m)
Signed from RB Leipzig in 2018 for £52.75 million, Naby Keïta was seen as a dynamic midfielder to fill Liverpool’s number 8 shirt. He was also known for his dribbling, vision, and timely runs, showing flashes of brilliance despite recurring injuries limiting his consistency.
He contributed to Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League and 2020 Premier League wins but struggled to maintain fitness over five seasons.
The Conakry-born midfielder, Keïta, left in 2023, and his time at Anfield was a reminder of both Liverpool’s ambition and the frustration of untapped potential due to injury setbacks.
8. Luis Díaz (£50m)
Luis Díaz joined Liverpool from Porto in January 2022 for up to £50 million, quickly becoming a key attacking threat just after Sadio Mane left for Bayern Munich.
The Colombian winger impressed with electrifying pace, skilful dribbling, and important goals, helping Liverpool reach the 2022 Champions League final and secure a domestic cup double.
After a major knee injury in late 2022, Díaz returned strongly, scoring a career-best 17 goals in Liverpool’s 2024–25 Premier League title campaign. His relentless energy and flair made him one of the league’s most exciting talents before his move to Bayern Munich on 30 July 2025.
9. Diogo Jota (£45m)
Diogo Jota joined Liverpool in 2020 from Wolves for £45 million, quickly making an impact with his intelligent movement and finishing. He scored seven goals in his first ten games, including a Champions League hat-trick.
Over five seasons, Jota scored 65 goals in 182 appearances, stepping up in key matches and playing a vital role in the 2024–25 Premier League title.
Despite injuries, he adapted to a false-nine role before tragically passing in 2025, weeks after celebrating Liverpool's 20th league glory, leaving a legacy of professionalism and crucial goals.
He is also one of the few footballers immortalised through a retired shirt number, with his No. 20 jersey at Liverpool being permanently withdrawn from use in tribute to his career at Anfield.
10. Cody Gakpo (£44m)
Liverpool signed Dutch forward Cody Gakpo from PSV in January 2023 for £44 million, a club-record fee for PSV at the time. Gakpo’s versatility, technical skill, and composure made him an instant asset, scoring in a Merseyside derby win.
He played a vital role in Liverpool’s 2023–24 EFL Cup win and flourished under manager Arne Slot during the 2024–25 Premier League-winning season, contributing key goals, including a standout performance against Spurs. His growing influence has established him as a key figure in Liverpool’s evolving attack.
Comments