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Man Utd and Liverpool flop transfers combined XI worth £450m including world-record transfer TWO World Cup winners


MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool meet at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday.

The Reds are leading the way in the title race going into the weekend, ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City – with United way off the pace.

Paul Pogba is one of two World Cup winners to make the combined flop XICredit: PA
Andy Carroll struggled for form after becoming Liverpool’s then record signing in 2011Credit: PA:Empics Sport

Red Devils fans have become used to complaining about big-money flop transfers in recent seasons.

But Anfield regulars have also seen more than their fair share of disappointments over the years.

So, while most supporters will be arguing over combined XIs from these Prem heavyweights, SunSport has tried something different.

Here is our all-time Liverpool and United flop transfers XI… worth over £450MILLION.

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Loris Karius

The German goalkeeper was one of Jurgen Klopp’s first Liverpool signings after joining from Mainz for £5.5million in 2016.

Loris Karius was initially installed as the Reds’ first-choice in goal and kept 22 clean sheets in 49 appearances.

However, his error-strewn display against Real Madrid in the 2018 Champions League final – when he infamously threw the ball off of Karim Benzema and into his own net – proved to be his final appearance.

He was released in 2022 after a string of underwhelming loan moves.

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Steven Caulker

Another early Klopp signing, Steven Caulker was brought in on loan from QPR in January 2016 to bolster the Liverpool defence.

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However, he was instead used as a makeshift striker by the German manager and played just four minutes in the Premier League.

The impact sub made four appearances in his first month at the club before making the bench just once in his final four months at Anfield.

Harry Maguire

Harry Maguire’s £75million move to United from Leicester in 2019 was a world record fee for a defender until last summer.

The England centre-back impressed at first for the Red Devils and was even made captain by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

However, his form has dipped in recent seasons, with criticism from fans before Ten Hag stripped the armband from him at the end of last season.

Although his performances have improved this term, Maguire has been limited to just 14 Premier League starts.

Harry Maguire’s time at Manchester United has been far from easyCredit: Alamy

Paul Konchesky

Paul Konchesky won two England caps before Liverpool spent £4million on the full-back in 2010.

He went on to make 18 appearances during the first half of the season under Roy Hodgson but fell out of favour under Kenny Dalglish.

As a result, Konchesky was shipped out on loan to Nottingham Forest in January before he was sold to Leicester in the summer for just £1.5million.

Angel Di Maria

The first of two World Cup winners in the XI, Angel Di Maria arrived at United for £65million in 2014 fresh from winning the Champions League with Real Madrid.

His marquee signing showed early promise with three goals and four assists in his first six Premier League appearances.

However, Di Maria’s discomfort in Manchester soon impacted his performances and game time under Louis van Gaal.

After just one season he was sold to Paris Saint-Germain for an £11million loss.

Angel Di Maria spent just one season at Manchester United after signing for £65millionCredit: Getty

Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba won the World Cup in 2018 as a United player failed to reach those heights at club level during his second spell in England.

Four years after being allowed to leave for free, United spent a then world record fee to bring the Frenchman back to Old Trafford.

Despite making over 200 appearances and winning three trophies across the next six years, Pogba’s attitude and performances came under constant scrutiny.

Following months of speculation over his contract, Pogba left for free once again in 2022 to return to Juventus.

Alberto Aquilani

Italian midfielder Alberto Aquilani joined Liverpool from Roma for £17million in the summer of 2009.

However, his 28 appearances included just nine league starts for the Reds.

After loan spells with Juventus and AC Milan, Aquilani completed a £2million switch to Fiorentina in 2012 to end his Liverpool nightmare.

Alberto Aquilani made just nine Premier League starts for LiverpoolCredit: PA:Press Association

Antony

Ten Hag parted with £82million to bring Antony to United with him from Ajax in 2022.

The Brazilian winger has failed to impress for the Red Devils, though, with fans and pundits slamming his output and performances.

Antony has yet to score a league goal this season with his only two strikes including one in the FA Cup against League Two Newport County.

Donny van de Beek

Like Antony, Donny van de Beek starred under Ten Hag at Ajax before moving to United for £34million in 2020.

He has since struggled to establish himself under Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and Ten Hag, though.

A loan move to Everton in 2022 failed to resurrect his career, with Van de Beek joining Frankfurt on loan with an option to buy in January.

Donny van de Beek failed to establish himself under three separate United managersCredit: PA

Andy Carroll

Andy Carroll became Liverpool’s club record signing when he joined from Newcastle for £35million in January 2011.

He went on to score 11 goals across the next 18 months but was not part of Brendan Rodgers’ plans come the summer of 2012.

Instead, Carroll was loaned out to West Ham before completing a £15million permanent switch the following summer.

Christian Benteke

After scoring almost once every two matches for Aston Villa, Christian Benteke moved to Anfield for £40million in 2015.

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Despite scoring the winner in just his second appearance, the Belgian found the net just 10 times in 42 matches for Liverpool.

He left after a single season, moving to Crystal Palace for less than £30million.


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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