When thinking of English clubs renowned for splashing out vast sums in the transfer market, Manchester City, Chelsea

When thinking of English clubs renowned for splashing out vast sums in the transfer market, Manchester City, Chelsea, and even Manchester United typically come to mind first. These clubs have often dominated headlines in recent transfer windows, with varying degrees of success. However, quietly but consistently, one club has made three historic market-shaking moves: Liverpool Football Club.

The recent arrival of Florian Wirtz at Anfield for a reported €136 million (including add-ons) has made the former Bayer Leverkusen star the most expensive signing in Premier League history. This blockbuster deal not only surpasses the €133 million (including variables) Chelsea paid for Moisés Caicedo but also vaults Wirtz directly into the top five most expensive transfers in football history, trailing only Neymar (PSG), Kylian Mbappé (PSG), Philippe Coutinho (FC Barcelona), and Ousmane Dembélé (FC Barcelona). Weeks after making history on the pitch by securing their 20th English league title, the Reds have now done so off it. But this isn't the first time Liverpool has garnered headlines for breaking transfer records; Anfield has a clear penchant for making "statement" signings.

Months after PSG stunned the market by paying Neymar's €222 million release clause, Liverpool also etched its name into transfer history. For many, Virgil van Dijk, now an absolute legend and captain for both the Reds and the Premier League, was a relative unknown when he moved from Southampton's St. Mary's Stadium to Anfield for €85 million in January 2018. For several seasons, the Dutchman held the record as the most expensive defender in English league history, a record later surpassed when Manchester United shelled out nearly €90 million for Harry Maguire. Liverpool's consistent willingness to invest heavily in key players underscores their ambition to not just compete, but to lead the way in shaping the top tier of European football.