LIVERPOOL finally won their first ever Premier League title after 30 years without a league crown.
In that time they saw number of big-name stars come and go – but they also let some gems slip through their fingers.
Coady was once on the books of Liverpool before becoming an England starCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The likes of Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Steve McManaman and Michael Owen all quit the Reds in their prime.
But there are other players the likes of Rafa Benitez and Gerard Houllier allowed to leave before they were household names.
We take a look at seven of the biggest frustrations for Liverpool fans in Premier League history…
CONOR COADY
Coady played just one PL game for the Reds but is now a three-cap England aceCredit: Reuters
COADY joined Liverpool in 2005, aged just 12 before working his way through the youth ranks.
Despite his obvious potential, the new England star made just two appearances for the Reds – and just one in the Premier League.
After a successful loan spell at then-League One side Sheffield United in 2013-14, Coady was sold to Huddersfield that summer.
After playing in 45 of the Terriers’ 46 Championship games, Coady joined Wolves after a single season.
The centre-back has been a mainstay of the team ever since, helping them gain promotion to the Premier League and even obtain European football.
Coady made his England debut against Denmark in September, earning the Man of the Match award in the process.
He’s played three times for the Three Lions since, even scoring in the 3-0 friendly win over Wales.
PETER GULACSI
Peter Gulacsi never played a competitive game for Liverpool and is now a star at RB LeipzigCredit: Getty Images – Getty
THE Hungarian goalkeeper spent six years at Liverpool – one on loan and then five after signing permanently.
But Gulacsi never played for the Reds – more often than not their second or even third choice keeper, behind the likes of Pepe Reina and Brad Jones.
Gulacsi was loaned to Hereford, Tranmere and Hull before being sold to RB Salzburg in 2013.
After two impressive years in Austria, the goalkeeper moved to the German Bundesliga with giants RB Leipzig.
Gulacsi has spent five years at Leipzig after quickly becoming their No1, helping them mount a charge for the league title AND Champions League.
How Liverpool would love to have a goalkeeper of Gulacsi’s quality as competition for Alisson these days.
RAHEEM STERLING
Raheem Sterling left Liverpool as a good player with raw potential – but now he’s a global superstarCredit: Reuters
STERLING signed for Liverpool in 2010 after seven years at QPR, aged just 15.
He made headlines a year later when he scored FIVE in a 9-0 youth team win over Southend.
Sterling broke into the first-team in 2012 and spent just over three seasons in the squad.
While Sterling was arguably already a ‘star’ during his final season at Liverpool, he was still very raw.
Even the most-ardent of Reds fans must concede the winger has gone from strength-to-strength since joining Manchester City.
Since leaving Liverpool without a trophy, Sterling has helped Pep Guardiola’s side win two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and four League Cups.
Sterling has also scored 12 of his 13 England goals while at the Etihad.
ALVARO ARBELOA
Arbeloa quit Liverpool in 2009 and became a first-team regular at Real MadridCredit: PA:Empics Sport
THE Spanish right-back only spent two seasons at the club – sharing minutes with Steven Finnan in his first.
In 2008-09, Arbeloa was Liverpool’s undisputed first-choice, but was quickly pinched by Real Madrid.
Arbeloa went on to spend seven years at the Bernabeu – becoming a regular for Spain’s national team in the process.
The right-back played 233 times for Real, winning the LaLiga title and two Champions League crowns.
Arbeloa earned 56 international caps, helping his team win THREE straight tournaments – the Euro 2008, the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012.
IAGO ASPAS
Aspas was a laughing stock at Liverpool but became a Spain international after leavingCredit: Action Images – Reuters
THE Spanish forward is arguably one of Liverpool’s all-time biggest flop signings.
Aspas played just 14 times in the Premier League – failing to score a single goal.
He will also go down in footballing folklore for his horror corner kick in the 2013-14 title-defining defeat to Chelsea.
Aspas left the club after just one season, moving to Sevilla, before re-joining boyhood club Celta Vigo the following year.
He has since scored 92 times in LaLiga – in just 172 games – while earning his first 18 Spain caps.
To rub salt into the wound, Aspas even scored in the 2-2 draw with England in 2016.
Aspas was part of the Spain squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
SUSO
Suso was frozen out at Liverpool after 14 PL games in his debut season with the first-teamCredit: Getty
SUSO joined Liverpool’s youth ranks from Cadiz in 2010, before stepping up to the first-team within two years.
After 14 Premier League appearances in his first season, Suso was loaned out to Almeria the following season.
He was then sold to AC Milan with very few Liverpool fans thinking much of it – especially after he was loaned off to Genoa in his second season having played just five times in his debut year.
But since 2016, Suso has become a star, turning himself into a regular at the San Siro for three-and-a-half season, before joining Sevilla.
After a six-month loan spell in Spain last season, Suso is now a permanent member of the Europa League specialists – after helping them win yet another crown last season.
DANNY INGS
Danny Ings has become of the of the league’s most-feared forwards since leaving LiverpoolCredit: Getty Images – Getty
INGS joined Liverpool in 2015 with a reputation for being one of England’s top young talents.
But in four years at Anfield, Ings played just 14 times in the Premier LEague due to injuries.
Jurgen Klopp always insisted he was a huge fan of Ings.
But ultimately he decided it was best for the player to sell him to Southampton in 2019 following a year-long loan on the south coast.
Since moving to Saints permanently, Ings has scored 26 goals in just 43 games.
In fact, Ings’ 22 goals in 2019-20 put him just ONE goal short of winning the Golden Boots.
Ings is now back in the England set-up playing twice this year – adding to his sole cap from 2015.
He scored in the 3-0 win over Wales, along with another ex-Liverpool man, Coady.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
