Liverpool have moved on some top players in recent years, while one ex-player tried to return but saw his deal blocked.
Now Bayern Munich star Luis Diaz is earning plaudits on the back of his Anfield exit this past summer.
Elsewhere, Harvey Elliott is struggling at Aston Villa following his loan deal, which includes an obligation to buy.
Liverpool’s top 10 biggest January signings
- 1. Virgil van Dijk – £75m, 2018
- 2. Luis Diaz – £43m, 2022
- 3. Cody Gakpo – £35m, 2023
- 4. Andy Carroll – £35m, 2011
- 5. Luis Suarez – £22.7m, 2011
- 6. Javier Mascherano – £18.6m, 2008
- 7. Daniel Sturridge – £12m, 2013
- 8. Philippe Coutinho – £8.5m, 2013
- 9. Fernando Morientes – £6.3m, 2005
- 10. Martin Skrtel – £6m, 2008
It has previously been shared that due to how his season is playing out in the Midlands, Elliott could return to Liverpool in January.
However, one man who never got the chance to do so was Stephen Warnock.
Stephen Warnock confirms Liverpool return was blocked
Warnock left Liverpool for Blackburn Rovers in 2007 before joining Aston Villa two years later.
Now, speaking on the Sacked in the Morning podcast this week, the 43-year-old has revealed he could have returned to the club, but his move was blocked by Gerard Houllier.
He said: “And then he [Gerard Houllier] stopped me going to Liverpool then as well.
“He did block the move. He did. Gary McAllister was his number two, which was also an interesting dynamic because Gary had been my manager at Coventry, but he was loyal to Gerard and obviously his number two.
“I hadn’t really spoken to Gary for a long time because of what had gone on with the Houllier because he knew the situation as well, but he wasn’t going to step up for me and help me out. And he pulled me one day, Gary, and he said, Kenny’s been on the phone, wants you to go back to Liverpool, get the deal done, get yourself home. It’s good for both parties.
“So I was like, great. I’d agreed to take a wage cut and everything. I was just like, just get me out of here.
“I just want out. And anyway, I got a phone call a couple of days later, basically saying that, Houllier had bumped the loan fee up, made it impossible for Liverpool to do the deal, and I was like ‘why would you do that?’”
Stephen Warnock Liverpool stats
The former defender began his senior career with the Reds, emerging from their academy in 2000.
However, he struggled to hold down a permanent starting berth, instead being loaned out to Coventry City and Bradford City.
Warnock made 67 appearances for Liverpool, scoring one goal and providing two assists.
After seeing his Liverpool return blocked, he did leave Aston Villa in 2013, featuring for the likes of Derby County and Leeds United.
The Ormskirk native eventually called time on his playing career in 2018 after a spell with Burton Albion.
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