LFC Summer Signings Since '04-05

Liverpool haven't signed anyone yet! Sigurðsson chose Spurs over Liverpool! Everyone freak out!

Well, maybe.



Liverpool have signed 51 first-team players since 2004-05, not counting youngsters who never played a first team game such as Németh and San José. 14 of those 51 – 27% – were signed before July 4.

In fact, Liverpool have signed someone on or before July 4 every summer since 2004. Even in Benitez's first season, when Cisse was already wrapped up before Benitez was. Even in 2009, when Liverpool had less than zero money, and 2010, when Liverpool had less than zero money and before Hodgson officially became manager, thanks to Rafa's parting gift of Jonjo Shelvey.

Incidentally, July 4 has also been Liverpool's busiest business day over the last eight summers, with six players officially signed on that date: Barragán, Reina, and Zenden in 2005; Paletta in 2006; Torres in 2007; and Dossena in 2008. Two out of six ain't bad. Okay, maybe it is.

To be fair, Liverpool have excuses, some actually valid. It's understandable that the club are reticent to break their wage structure for Sigurðsson, if that's truly the reason he went to Spurs. The Euros, and the typical lack of business during a major tournament, have made it harder for the new manager to evaluate the current players, let alone make signings. Today was the first day Rodgers met with the squad, and that obviously doesn't include players who went to the Euros.

Still, it's less than reassuring when nearly all of Liverpool's rivals have started their summer business. Hell, even Everton's signed someone. At least the club are all geared up to release the third kit at midnight. Priorities…

All signing dates via the invaluable, irreplaceable LFCHistory.net.