Liverpool may not have won the trophies in the last two decades, but they still are one of the top clubs when it comes to English football. As a result, they have been able to attract some of the best players in the world even when they do not have a Champions League football to offer. The club may not compete with the likes of Manchester United or City in terms of finances, but their prestige has allowed them to get bargain buys more often than not. Here are some of the top three bargain buys made by Liverpool in the last decade.
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Martin Skrtel (From Zenit Saint Petersburg for £6.5 million in 2008)
Martin Skrtel was one of the last major purchases by Rafa Benitez before the exit of the Spaniard. Even though he initially struggled to life in English football, Skrtel soon established himself as one of the top defenders in the Premier League. His eight-year spell with the Merseyside club may only have yielded in a League Cup title in 2012, but he was always a dependable option for the managers. Skrtel also had the knack of scoring from set pieces and yielding some important goals.
The Slovakian came up with 319 appearances and 18 goals before leaving for Fenerbahce this summer.
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Philippe Coutinho (From Inter Milan for £8.5 million in 2013)
Inter Milan were considering the possibility of selling Philippe Coutinho as the Brazilian did not manage to fulfil his talent at the San Siro. Former manager Brendan Rodgers decided to take a gamble on the player by bringing him on board for just £8.5 million. This gamble has paid huge returns, as the player is now valued close to £50 million. Liverpool will think twice at selling him even at this price, as Coutinho has become an important part of the Liverpool team. It would not be surprising to see the Brazilian be crowned as the PFA Player of the Year in the next few years. Coutinho has scored 31 goals in 152 appearances for the club.
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Luis Suarez (From Ajax for £22.5 million in 2011)
Regarded as one of the greatest strikers in world football at the moment, Suarez joined Liverpool in 2011 from Ajax as a player brimming with talent but someone who was never far from a controversy. Liverpool had to pay £22.5 million for the talent, but they got more than double in return from the player in every form. Suarez scored a whopping 92 goals in 105 appearances for the club. He came within a whisker of winning the league title as well. Liverpool were able to profit heavily when they sold the player for £75 million to Barcelona after just three years.
