How Liverpool saved millions on free transfers as Salah, Robertson and Konate depart

Liverpool begin the Andoni Iraola era having lost three of their most prominent modern servants for nothing, with Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate all departing on free transfers this summer. Robertson has joined Tottenham, Salah’s nine-year stay ended a year ahead of schedule when his contract was terminated, and Konate has moved to Real Madrid.

The departures represent a significant financial blow, but Liverpool have historically been adept at offsetting such losses by recruiting shrewdly in the free-agent market themselves.

Joel Matip

Among the most celebrated of those arrivals was Joel Matip, who signed a four-year deal in the summer of 2016 after his Schalke contract expired — having already agreed terms with the club the previous February. Matip transformed a backline that had drawn sustained criticism, and alongside Virgil van Dijk from 2018 he was central to Liverpool winning both the Champions League and the Premier League title.

He remained a reliable presence during the 2021/22 campaign as Liverpool chased an unprecedented quadruple, ultimately securing a domestic cup double. Persistent injuries curtailed his final two seasons at the club before he was released in 2024 and announced his retirement from football, departing as a genuine cult figure on Merseyside.

James Milner

James Milner, who arrived from Manchester City on a free transfer in 2015, spent eight seasons at Anfield and became synonymous with the standards Jürgen Klopp demanded of his squad. Milner’s fitness levels and professionalism set a benchmark for his team-mates throughout a period of sustained success.

Klopp paid tribute to Milner upon his departure in 2023, describing him as the definitive role model: “I think for a lot of experienced players you use from time to time the word ‘role model’. But Millie is the role model.”

Together, Matip and Milner illustrate a pattern that has served Liverpool well — identifying players whose contracts are expiring and extracting significant value without transfer fees. As the club navigates a summer of high-profile exits, that same approach will likely be central to how Iraola rebuilds his squad.