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div>As Manchester United and Liverpool prepare to clash at Old Trafford in the upcoming Premier League match this Sunday.
Liverpool leads the title race, closely followed by Arsenal and Manchester City, while United lags far behind.
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Fans of the Red Devils and the Reds have witnessed high-profile transfer disappointments over the years.
Amid debates about the best combined XI from these two Premier League giants, SunSport has taken a unique approach.
Presenting an ultimate XI of failed transfers from Liverpool and United… totaling over £450 MILLION.
Loris Karius
A significant early signing by Jurgen Klopp for Liverpool, Loris Karius arrived from Mainz for £5.5 million in 2016.
Initially, Karius was the first-choice goalkeeper for the Reds, registering 22 clean sheets in 49 matches.
However, his notable blunder in the 2018 Champions League final against Real Madrid, where he mistakenly scored an own goal, marked his departure.
Following a series of lackluster loan spells, he was released in 2022.
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Steven Caulker
Another acquisition during Klopp’s early days, Steven Caulker joined Liverpool on loan from QPR in January 2016 to reinforce the defense.
Yet, instead of featuring in defense, he was utilized as a striker by Klopp and only played four minutes in the Premier League.
Despite making a few appearances initially, Caulker found himself on the bench most of the time in his closing months at Anfield.
Harry Maguire
Harry Maguire’s £75 million transfer from Leicester to United in 2019 set a world record fee for a defender at that time.
Initially excelling as a center-back for the Red Devils and even being named captain by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
However, his performance declined in subsequent seasons, prompting fan criticism before losing the captaincy at the end of the previous season.
While his form has seen some improvement this season, Maguire has been restricted to just 14 Premier League starts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What criteria were considered for selecting the players in the combined flop XI?
The players were selected based on their underperformance or lack of impact after high-profile transfers to either Manchester United or Liverpool.
2. Is this XI based solely on transfer fees?
While the total transfer fees for the players in the combined XI exceed £450 million, the selection also takes into account their performances and contributions to their respective clubs.
3. Are there any other notable flop transfers not included in this XI?
There have been numerous high-profile transfer disappointments at both clubs, but this XI focuses on a collective lineup of failed signings from Manchester United and Liverpool.
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Paul Konchesky
Paul Konchesky earned two England caps before being signed by Liverpool for £4 million in 2010. Despite making 18 appearances under Roy Hodgson, his playing time reduced under Kenny Dalglish, leading to a loan move to Nottingham Forest and eventually a sale to Leicester for £1.5 million.
Angel Di Maria
Angel Di Maria, a World Cup winner, joined Manchester United for £65 million in 2014 after a successful spell at Real Madrid. Although he started well with impressive stats, his struggle to adapt to Manchester affected his performance, resulting in a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain for a loss of £11 million after just one season.
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Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba, a World Cup winner with France, rejoined Manchester United for a then-world record fee. Despite an impressive tenure with over 200 appearances and three trophies, Pogba faced criticism for his attitude and performances. Eventually, amidst contract speculations, he left for Juventus in 2022.
Alberto Aquilani
Alberto Aquilani, an Italian midfielder, moved to Liverpool from Roma for £17 million but struggled to cement his place in the team with limited starts. After loan spells at Juventus and AC Milan, he permanently joined Fiorentina for £2 million to end his Liverpool tenure.
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FAQ
1. Why did Angel Di Maria leave Manchester United?
Angel Di Maria struggled to adapt to Manchester and his performance was affected, leading to a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain after just one season.
2. Where did Paul Pogba go after leaving Manchester United in 2022?
Paul Pogba left Manchester United in 2022 and returned to Juventus.
3. How much did Liverpool pay for Alberto Aquilani’s transfer?
Liverpool paid £17 million to Roma for Alberto Aquilani’s transfer, but he later moved to Fiorentina for £2 million.
Antony
Ten Hag spent £82 million to bring Antony to United from Ajax in 2022. Despite this significant investment, the Brazilian winger has struggled to meet expectations at the Red Devils. Fans and pundits have criticized his performance and impact on the team. Antony has yet to score a league goal this season, with his only two goals coming in the FA Cup, one of which was against League Two Newport County.
Donny van de Beek
Similar to Antony, Donny van de Beek excelled under Ten Hag at Ajax before his transfer to United for £34 million in 2020. However, his transition to the Premier League has been challenging, as he struggled to establish himself under the management of Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, and Ten Hag. A loan move to Everton in 2022 did not revive his career, leading to Van de Beek joining Frankfurt on loan with a potential permanent deal in January.
Andy Carroll
Andy Carroll became Liverpool’s most expensive signing when he joined from Newcastle for £35 million in January 2011. Despite scoring 11 goals in the following 18 months, he was not favored by Brendan Rodgers in the summer of 2012. Consequently, Carroll was loaned to West Ham before securing a permanent transfer for £15 million the next summer.
Christian Benteke
After an impressive goal-scoring record at Aston Villa, Christian Benteke moved to Anfield for £40 million in 2015. Despite scoring a crucial winner early on, the Belgian striker struggled at Liverpool, managing only 10 goals in 42 appearances. He departed after a single season, transferring to Crystal Palace for less than £30 million.
FAQs
1. Who is Antony and what is his transfer history?
Antony is a Brazilian winger who was brought to Manchester United from Ajax by Ten Hag for a fee of £82 million in 2022. However, Antony has faced criticism for his performances at United.
2. What challenges did Donny van de Beek face at Manchester United?
Donny van de Beek struggled to establish himself at Manchester United under the management of Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick, and Ten Hag after his transfer for £34 million from Ajax in 2020. A loan move to Everton in 2022 did not improve his situation.
3. Why did Andy Carroll leave Liverpool?
Despite being Liverpool’s club record signing, Andy Carroll was loaned out to West Ham and later transferred permanently due to him not being part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans for the team.
4. What was Christian Benteke’s performance like at Liverpool?
Christian Benteke, signed for £40 million from Aston Villa, struggled at Liverpool, scoring only 10 goals in 42 matches. He later moved to Crystal Palace for less than £30 million after a single season at Anfield.
