Before Jurgen Klopp turned Liverpool into champions of England, Europe and the world, there was a recurring trait in the Reds’ transfer business each summer as the German looked to turn his side from hopefuls into heavyweights.
The signing of a proven Premier League player who had loosely been linked with Liverpool in the past, yet one whose arrival was somewhat left field, prompting raised eyebrows and a shrug of the shoulders from curious supporters as the Reds pounced on an attractive transfer opportunity at a cut-price fee.
In Klopp’ s first summer transfer window as Liverpool manager, he’d sign Gini Wijnaldum from relegated Newcastle United for £25m. Fast forward a year and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain would be snapped up for £35m on transfer deadline day, as Arsenal chose to cash in rather than lose the midfielder for free at the end of his contract 12 months later after he decided against extending his deal.
