Comparing Liverpool & Everton’s net spend since Jurgen Klopp arrived
Both Liverpool and Everton are struggling in 2022-23 so far, but during the Jurgen Klopp era there’s generally been a chasm between them. The difference in transfer spend between the Merseyside rivals isn’t as significant as you might expect, though.
Since Jurgen Klopp was appointed Liverpool’s manager back in October 2015, a mix of shrewd business and quality coaching transformed the Reds into one of the best sides in Europe.
Klopp has led Liverpool to their first league title in the Premier League era and the Champions League, while they spent last season chasing a historic quadruple. They didn’t quite manage it, but finished runners-up in England and Europe while lifting the two domestic cups.
There have been some big-money signings in that time – with Virgil van Dijk and Alisson proving particularly transformative in Liverpool’s recent fortunes. But those purchases were largely funded by the sale of Philippe Coutinho’s transfer to Barcelona – a transfer that remains a Premier League record for a sale.
During Klopp’s time in charge, Liverpool have also done good business to recoup plenty of cash for players on the fringes of the first-team squad – Jordon Ibe, Dominic Solanke and Harry Wilson to name a few…
Things have taken something of a downturn in 2022-23 however, with the likes of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo struggling to immediately hit the ground running as most of the big-money investments that came before them did.
Across Stockley Park, Everton have also received plenty of cash for some high-profile departures since Klopp was appointed at their city rivals. Romelu Lukaku’s move to Manchester United in 2017 and John Stones’ move to Manchester City the year before brought in over £125million.
However, it’s patently clear that Everton haven’t reinvested that dosh nearly as wisely, with a seriously mixed record of signing players under their former sporting director Marcel Brands. Joshua King, Moise Kean, Fabian Delph and Jean-Philippe Gbamin are just four of the names that haven’t exactly set the world alight at Goodison Park.
The difficult financial situation at Everton saw the club sell academy graduate Anthony Gordon to newly-minted Newcastle for £45million but fail to reinvest any of that in new signings for Sean Dyche’s relegation-battling squad. It looks as though their days of spending big are over, which might not be a terrible thing for the club given how recklessly they’ve splashed the cash over the years.
Everton have actually spent more on players than their main rivals since Klopp arrived in 2015. That’s both in terms of the total figure and net.
Here’s how the figures break down in full. Look away now, Everton fans…
Liverpool
Five Biggest Purchases
1. Virgil van Dijk – £76million
2. Darwin Nunez – £67million
3. Alisson – £56million
4. Naby Keita – £54million
5. Fabinho – £40million
Five Biggest Sales
1. Phillipe Coutinho – £121million
2. Sadio Mane – £28million
3. Christian Benteke – £28million
4. Mamadou Sakho – £25million
5. Danny Ings – £22million
Total Spent: £597.8million
Total Sold: £433.4million
Total Net Spend: £164.4million
Everton
Five Biggest Purchases
1. Gylfi Sigurdsson – £44million
2. Richarlison – £35million
3. Amadou Onana – £31million
4. Yerry Mina – £27million
5. Alex Iwobi – £27million
Five Biggest Sales
1. Romelu Lukaku – £76million
2. Richarlison – £52million
3. John Stones – £50million
4. Anthony Gordon – £45million
4. Idrissa Gueye – £27million
Total Spent: £653.68million
Total Sold: £427.2million
Total Net Spend: £226.5million
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