Revisiting Jurgen Klopp first signings at Liverpool

• Jurgen Klopp joined Liverpool in October 2015 from Borussia Dortmund and just like any other manager, he made a few signings when the transfer window opened
• The signings never delivered, which is why even some Liverpool fans will struggle to remember their names
• Marko Grujic was the first player that Liverpool signed after Klopp’s arrival

It’s not every football fan who can remember Jurgen Klopp first signings at Liverpool. Klopp joined the Reds in October 2015 from Borussia Dortmund and just like any other manager, he made a few signings when the transfer window opened.

Whereas his first signings never delivered, he later made a number of astute signings that worked out for him and the club. From Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane to Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk, the 56-year-old has signed players whose legacy in the football world will never be forgotten.

With his exit planned for this summer, we have decided to delve through the archives and bring you Jurgen Klopp first signings at Liverpool. The three players arrived during the 2016 January transfer window.

1. Marko Grujic

Marko Grujic joined Liverpool from Red Star Belgrade in January 2016. Photo/ This Is Anfield.

Marco Grujic was the first signing that Jurgen Klopp made after joining Liverpool. The midfielder arrived from Red Star Belgrade and the Reds had to part ways with £5.1 million euros to acquire his services.

Unfortunately, things never worked out for Grujic as he mustered just 16 appearances across all competitions. He spent the majority of his time as a Liverpool player on loan playing for Cardiff, Hertha Berlin and then Porto, who eventually signed him on a permanent deal in 2020.

Prior to joining Liverpool, Grujic was on the radar of several other top European clubs, including Juventus, AC Milan, Chelsea and Inter Milan. Klopp called the Serbian personally to convince him to join Liverpool. While things never worked out for him in the Premier League, Liverpool were the winners as they sold him for double the price they had purchased him. He has been playing for Portuguese giants Porto since 2020.

2. Steven Caulker 

If anything encapsulates Liverpool’s struggles in the early months of Jurgen Klopp’s reign, it’s this. Steven Caulker joined Liverpool during the 2016 January transfer window on loan from Queens Park Rangers. Naturally, he is a centre-back but Klopp was forced to use him as an emergency striker in a few matches.

Caulker played as a striker for the Reds against Manchester United, Arsenal and Norwich City. Unsurprisingly, he didn’t find the back of the net in any of those games. Following the end of his loan spell, Caulker returned to his parent club Queens Park Rangers and spent a season there before joining Dundee.

Steven Caulker was one of Jurgen Klopp first signings at Liverpool. Photo/ This Is Anfield.

The Sierra Leonean has since played for Alanyaspor, Fenerbahce, Fatih Karagumruk, Wigan Athletic and is currently at Malaga City. With the Spanish club, he is a player/manager.

3. Kamil Grabara 

Concluding our list of Jurgen Klopp first signings at Liverpool is Polish goalkeeper Kamil Grabara. Grabara joined Liverpool from the youth ranks of Ruch Chorzow for £250,000. Just like the other players on the list, he arrived during the 2016 January transfer window.

Grabara had been identified as one of the best young keepers in the world and had attracted the interest of Manchester City and their city rivals United.

Upon arriving at Liverpool, Grabara who was barely 17 at the time trained regularly with the first-team. He made his maiden senior outing in a pre-season friendly against Tranmere Rovers during the summer of 2018. In September, he was named in the substitutes’ bench as Liverpool suffered a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Anfield. in the EFL Cup.

Goalkeeper Kamil Grabara waited in vain to make an appearance for Liverpool before eventually leaving on a permanent transfer to Danish club Copenhagen. Photo/ Goal.com.

In order to get regular playing time, Grabara was loaned out to AGF, Huddersfield Town and to AGF again. After his wait for an appearance at Liverpool turned out to be in vain, he joined Danish club Copenhagen during the summer transfer window of 2021. The Polish shot stopper played the full 90 minutes as Copenhagen beat Manchester United 4-3 in the UEFA Champions League this season.