Along with charisma, excitement and lots of pressing there is one thing Liverpool fans can be sure to see during Klopp’s regime: an increase in the number of players signed from the Bundesliga. The announcement of Joel Matip’s signing earlier this month already shows this.
Bundesliga signings have been few and far between for Liverpool in the last decade or so, with Matip becoming only the sixth player to sign from Germany since 1999. What is the reason for this and how have the previous five players faired in their Anfield spells?
One reason for the lack of German signings in recent history could be as a result of the management. The previous Liverpool managers have often opted to sign from within their native country. For example, during Gerard Houllier’s time as Liverpool manager there was an influx in French and Ligue 1 players. For example, Nicolas Anelka, Bruno Cheyrou, Salif Diao, John-Arne Riise and more.
This trend continued under Rafa Benitez as an influx of Spanish players arrived including Xabi Alonso, Fernando Morientes, Fernando Torres, Josemi and many more. Furthermore, under Hodgson, Dalglish and Rodgers, all British managers, the number of home-grown and Premier League players at the club increased. It will be very interesting to see if Klopp follows this trend and recruits from his home nation.
The previous five Bundesliga signings over the last fifteen years has certainly been a mixed bag with none of the players yet to make a huge impact. The more recent signings of Emre Can and Roberto Firmino have impressed but not a consistent basis, whereas the signings of Phillip Degen and Erik Meijer were hardly memorable at all as both players struggled to make a good impression on Merseyside.
Erik Meijer signed for Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in 1999, but his career was definitely a forgettable one. After impressive spells in Germany and the Netherlands at Leverkusen and PSV respectively, the towering striker failed to make an impact next to Owen and Fowler . The Dutchman scored just twice in 27 appearances for the Reds and was subsequently loaned out to Preston North End, where he continued to struggle in England as he failed to find the net in nine outings for the Lilywhites.
Despite not making a great impression, Meijer became a fan favourite due to his hardworking and determined attitude which earned him the nickname ‘Mad Erik’. Meijer was voted 99th in the fan-based poll “100 players that shook the Kop.” His likeable and charismatic attitude was refreshing for the Anfield faithful and his celebration with fans after the 2001 UEFA Cup final cemented his place in Liverpool folklore despite his disappointing spell.
Markus Babbel, the much decorated German defender signed from Bayern Munich, came with a stellar reputation. The defender won nine honours in Germany, including three Bundesliga titles and two DFB-Pokals as well as a UEFA Cup. He had also won the 1996 European Championship with Germany in England.
He had a solid career at Liverpool and was an important member of the side which won three trophies in 2001. He impressed at right-back for Liverpool and was on his way to become an integral member of the side until tragedy struck the German in August 2001 when he was diagnosed with Guillan-Barre Syndrome—a debilitating condition which threatened to end his career.
Quite remarkably, Babbel made a full recovery 15 months later but his revival was short-lived. He struggled for discipline and was subbed off 39 minutes into a League Cup game against Aston Villa in December 2002. This infuriated him and he subsequently fell out with manager Gerard Houllier. He was loaned out to Blackburn for the 2003-04 season before returning to Germany with Stuttgart.
Liverpool waited nine years for their next Bundesliga signing and Philipp Degen certainly wasn’t worth the wait. He had success in his home nation of Switzerland and a solid career at Borussia Dortmund, but very few knew who he was. Similarly to Matip, the Swiss international arrived on a free transfer after his contract expired.
Degen had a torrid time at Liverpool with injuries coming frequently and the defender broke two of his ribs against Crewe in a League Cup match. Subsequent injuries and poor performances saw his short-lived Anfield career come to an end. He was loaned out to Stuttgart for the 2010-11 season but struggled for consistency there. His ill-fated career was ended when his contract was cancelled due to ‘mutual consent.
Emre Can often divides opinion. Some of the Liverpool faithful see him as a solid, versatile midfielder with a lot of potential; others see him as too inconsistent and arrogant. The midfielder arrived at Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for a bargain £9.75 million after the Reds triggered his release clause. He struggled at Bayern Munich but shone for Leverkusen, so much so that Bayern were rumoured to be interested in re-signing him.
Despite his critics Can impressed in his first season at Liverpool. His determination and tenacity was apparent throughout the season. Under Brendan Rodgers, he was played out of position for large periods of the season and still performed aptly.
At centre-back, he was vital to Liverpool’s impressive 13-game unbeaten run. His strength and power helped him impress, but it was still clear that he was a midfielder. When deployed at right-back towards the end of the season, he did not impress, and this was highlighted in his appalling afternoon at Stoke on the final day.
After a difficult start this season, Can began to show his ability in a central midfield role. This role has allowed him to showcase his strengths and ability and he can express himself much more. Consistency has been a problem, but this is often the case with young players. He particularly impressed in wins over Southampton and Chelsea this season, but came under a lot of criticism after a sloppy performance against Norwich. He recently received his first call-ups to the German National Team.
He is certainly a divisive player but his ability is apparent and his promise makes him a fantastic signing. He looks like he will only improve and become a more consistent performer. He should be integral to Jurgen Klopp’s plans and will most likely play a role in his success
Roberto Firmino is the most recent Liverpool player to join from the Bundesliga and is another player who divides opinion. He certainly has talent but his inability to perform on a consistent basis has frustrated many of the Anfield faithful.
The forward was signed from German side Hoffenheim for £29 million in the summer. He impressed massively in Germany and won the accolade of the ‘Bundesliga Breakthrough of the Season’ and was named in the Team of the Season in 2014.
Initially, he found first-team chances under Brendan Rodgers difficult as he settled into the team and it wasn’t until Klopp took over that he became a consistent starter. Due to Christian Benteke’s poor performances along with injuries to Ings and Sturridge and later Origi, he was forced to play up-front and often struggled. However, he did shine in the 4-1 hammering of Man City, scoring his first goal for the club after finishing off a lovely move from Emre Can and compatriot Philippe Coutinho.
Firmino found the first half of the season difficult and largely disappointed as he struggled for consistency. However, he has looked a different player so far in 2016. The forward was unplayable against Norwich and Arsenal, scoring a brace in each game. He also impressed in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland with a goal and an assist.
It appears that he was a good signing who has struggled for consistency and has not reached the expectation levels set earlier this season. It is clear that he is a good player but his inconsistently lets him down. He is another player whom Liverpool fans are expecting to improve and under Klopp this seems a real possibility.
Only time will tell if Joel Matip will fit into the success or failure category. On the evidence of his career and ability it is difficult to see how this could be a poor signing. The 26-year-old certainly has the ability to help sort out Liverpool’s defensive struggles and the fact that his signing is on a free transfer further reinforces that his signing could prove to be a high quality signing.
