With the summer transfer window quickly creeping up on us, clubs are out looking at potential new arrivals.
Liverpool have announced the arrival of James Milner on July 1 on a free transfer, Danny Ings is close, and Adam Bogdan is reportedly on the cards, so we have taken a look at five of the best free signings the Reds have made over the years.
Craig Bellamy
The Welshman’s second spell at Anfield came after then manager Kenny Dalglish signed him on August 31, 2011 after requesting a free transfer from former club Manchester City.
On the way to the Reds’ League Cup success, Dalglish’s men beat bitter rivals Chelsea 2-0 in the quarter-final with Bellamy assisting both goals.
He also scored the decisive goal in the semi-final against Man City that sent the Reds to Wembley.
Bellamy was ever-present amongst the goals during the new year of 2012 and scored seven goals in seven starts for the club.
Andy Carroll is most remembered for scoring the winning goal against Merseyside rivals Everton during the 2012 FA Cup semi-final which was created by Bellamy himself as the club reached their first FA Cup final in six years.
Boudewijn Zenden
Zenden was signed by the newly-crowned Champions League winners on July 4, 2005 by Rafael Benitez.
Although during his two-year spell at the club he spent a significant amount of time on the treatment table, the Dutchman played in some crucial games for the club.
He started for the Reds when they won the European Super Cup in 2005 and was a part of the 2006 Community Shield winning team.
Zenden also played in both legs against Chelsea during the Champions League semi-final in 2007 and scored during the penalty shootout which the Reds won 4-1.
Maxi Rodríguez
The fan favourite was signed from Spanish side Atlético Madrid in 2010 and was amongst the goals and the assists during his two-and-a-half-year spell.
The 2010-11 season was when he came to the forefront finishing the season with an impressive 10 goals which included two hat-tricks against Birmingham City and Fulham respectively.
In November 2011, the Reds played rivals Chelsea twice in nine days both in the league and in the League Cup. Maxi found himself on the score sheet in both games thanks to his link up play with Craig Bellamy.
Fabio Aurelio
The left-back became the first Brazilian to sign for the club following his release from Valencia where he was managed by Benitez.
Although he was beset by injury during his stay on Merseyside, he had a knack of scoring free-kicks.
Aurelio scored against Portsmouth from a free-kick which settled into the bottom corner to help his team secure an important 3-2 victory at Fratton Park.
He also got his name on the score sheet when the Reds famously beat Manchester United 4-1 in 2009, and caught Chelsea’s Petr Cech out at Stamford Bridge during a 4-4 draw in the Champions League.
Gary McAllister
Arguably the best free transfer the club has made, he joined in 2000 and although fans questioned Gerard Houllier’s signing of a player who was 35-years-old he proved a success.
He was only at the club for two years, but he became a key figure in the midfield. During the club’s treble success in 2000-01 season he was described as Houllier’s ‘most inspirational signing’.
McAllister’s most famous strike was a stunning 44-yard free-kick against local rivals Everton in the fourth minute of stoppage time.
His success continued; scoring a penalty winner against Barcelona in the UEFA Cup semi-final.
The Scotsman began his second season at the club by scoring in a 2-1 win against Manchester United in the Community Shield.
