Liverpool's post-World Cup transfer history including $45M win over Man Utd

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Liverpool.com or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool has often used World Cups to identify transfer targets, with the club's history featuring a notable $45M signing that edged out Manchester United for his signatureLiverpool signed Cody Gakpo following his impressive performances at the 2022 World Cup(Image: Getty Images)Liverpool has often used the transfer windows following World Cups to strengthen its squad, with the club's recruitment team regularly identifying players capable of making an immediate impact at Anfield.From established internationals to emerging stars, the Reds have signed a host of players in the aftermath of the last six World Cups. Following the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea, Liverpool added several experienced names to Gerard Houllier's squad.The most notable arrivals included El-Hadji Diouf, who joined after helping Senegal reach the quarterfinals, as well as Salif Diao and Bruno Cheyrou.

Of those signings, Meireles enjoyed the greatest success, winning Liverpool's Player of the Year award in his debut campaign.Liverpool signed Luis Suarez in the January following the South Africa World Cup(Image: Getty Images)The rebuilding process continued in January 2011 following Fenway Sports Group's takeover and Kenny Dalglish's return as manager.The Reds completed two of the most significant transfers in their modern history by signing Luis Suarez from Ajax and Andy Carroll from Newcastle. While Carroll struggled to justify his record-breaking fee, Suarez developed into one of the world's best players during his time at Anfield and became the cornerstone of Liverpool's resurgence over the following seasons.Liverpool's most dramatic post-World Cup spending spree followed the 2014 tournament in Brazil.

The Reds signed Adam Lallana, Dejan Lovren, Emre Can, Divock Origi, Lazar Markovic, Alberto Moreno, Rickie Lambert and Javier Manquillo.While several struggled to justify their transfer fees, players such as Can, Lallana and Origi all made meaningful contributions, with Origi later cementing his place in club folklore through his role in Liverpool's Champions League triumph in 2019.The summer after the 2018 World Cup proved far more successful. Jurgen Klopp secured the signing of Fabinho from Monaco along with Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alisson Becker.Together, those additions helped transform the squad into European and Premier League champions, with Fabinho and Alisson becoming particularly influential figures during one of the most successful periods in the club's history.Following the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Liverpool moved quickly to secure the services of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven after his impressive performances for the Netherlands, in a deal worth around $45 million.Manchester United had been eyeing a renewed move for Gakpo following its decision to terminate Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract the previous November, but Liverpool, which had already beaten United to the signing of Darwin Nunez the previous summer, moved swiftly once again to secure the Dutch forward.The Reds later continued their midfield rebuild by signing Alexis Mac Allister, who had just won the World Cup with Argentina, as well as Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo.