Damien Comolli: Rating Liverpool's Transfers During His Time at Anfield

By (World Football Lead Writer) on April 12, 2012

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Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Liverpool's director of football Damien Comolli has left the club "by mutual consent".

Comolli arrived at Anfield in November 2010, tasked with identifying possible transfer targets and overseeing deals to bring players to the club.

His time in the job included deals to sign Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Charlie Adam and Jordan Henderson.

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish said of his departure, as reported by BBC Sport: "We are grateful for all of Damien's efforts on behalf of Liverpool and wish him all the best for the future.

"Once I made the choice who I wanted, Damien went away and did a fantastic job of bringing them in. It's sad to see anyone leave the football club and he goes with my best wishes."

Said Liverpool owner John Henry in a statement on the club's official website: "We are grateful for all of Damien's efforts on behalf of Liverpool and wish him all the best for the future."

Here's a look at the players signed during Comolli's time at Anfield—and whether they have turned out to be a success.

Andy Carroll (£35 Million from Newcastle United)

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Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Signed on January transfer deadline day in 2011, the then-swashbuckling success story named Andy Carroll was bought with the money made on the £50 million sale of Fernando Torres to Chelsea.

That's Liverpool's excuse, anyway.

Carroll has thus far been a monumental disappointment at Anfield. You could argue he doesn't fit with their style of play, but even when they've played to his strengths he's struggled to justify being worth a fifth of his transfer fee.

TRANSFER GRADE: 2/10

Luis Suarez (£22.7 Million from Ajax)

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Luis Suarez was another signed on transfer deadline day in January last year.

The Uruguayan striker quickly adapted to the English game and has proved himself a highly effective forward for Liverpool in the Premier League.

Suarez has scored 17 goals in 46 games, and also provided a good number of assists.

We must of course reference the racism controversy that bought him an eight-game ban, however, along with the ill-advised decision to shun Patrice Evra's handshake at Old Trafford.

TRANSFER RATING: 8/10

Jordan Henderson (£20 Million from Sunderland)

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Clive Mason/Getty Images

Jordan Henderson was a promising 20-year-old midfielder with one England cap to his name when Liverpool came knocking.

Sunderland pushed the price up and, perhaps mindful of his status as a homegrown player with potential, Liverpool decided to get out the company credit card.

Henderson is still very young and could yet develop into genuine force in Liverpool's midfield, but a return of one goal from 34 shots in the Premier League this season is nothing to write home about. Neither is his one assist from from 32 appearances.

TRANSFER RATING: 4/10

Charlie Adam (£9 Million from Blackpool)

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Clive Mason/Getty Images

Charlie Adam looked a shrewd signing when Liverpool secured his services last summer.

The Scottish international midfielder had been hugely impressive for Blackpool the previous season and he came with plenty of experience.

But while Adam has had plenty of playing time for Liverpool this season, he hasn't come close to replicating the kind of influence he had with Blackpool.

Maybe the 26-year-old needed a season to adjust to new levels of expectancy? Or maybe he's punching above his weight?

TRANSFER RATING: 5/10

Stewart Downing (£20 Million Form Aston Villa)

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Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Stewart Downing was another captured in the summer 2011 transfer window.

The England international winger was likely seen as the ideal man to service Suarez and Carroll in attack, but it hasn't really turned out that way.

Downing has yet to provide an assist in 31 Premier League appearances this season. And he's failed to score from 62 shots.

He has made an impact in Liverpool's cup runs, but it's hard to see full value in that £20 million investment so far.

TRANSFER RATING: 3/10

Alexander Doni (Undisclosed Fee from Roma)

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Michael Steele/Getty Images

Goalkeeper Alexander Doni was signed from Roma to provide cover for Pepe Reina.

His wealth of experience made a convincing argument for the deal.

It's unfair to make a full assessment so far, but Doni's red card against Blackburn—in just his second appearance—was the last thing Liverpool needed with Reina already suspended.

TRANSFER RATING: 6/10

Jose Enrique (£5 Million from Newcastle United)

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Clive Mason/Getty Images

Liverpool needed a proven left-back and Jose Enrique fitted the bill perfectly.

Having joined from Newcastle last summer, the Spaniard has been virtually ever-present in their lineup and proved himself one of the best full-backs in the Premier League.

At just £5 million, he was an absolute steal and a great piece of business by Liverpool.

TRANSFER RATING: 9/10

Sebastian Coates (£7 Million from Nacional)

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Ian Walton/Getty Images

Twenty-year-old Sebastian Coates should be judged as an investment for the future, not on his appearances so far for Liverpool.

The Uruguayan international defender signed in August last year, with Liverpool beating off plenty of competition to seal what could prove a major transfer coup at Anfield.

Coates has made five Premier League appearances so far, with the highlight his spectacular goal against QPR at Loftus Road.

TRANSFER RATING: 7/10

Craig Bellamy (Free Transfer)

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Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Craig Bellamy arrived for a second spell at Liverpool on transfer deadline day last summer.

The 32-year-old has been a big asset to the team, weighing in with some vital goals and working those little legs off in the name of the cause.

If only his body would allow him to play every game.

TRANSFER RATING: 8/10

Jordan Ibe and Danny Ward

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Jan Kruger/Getty Images

Teenagers Jordan Ibe (pictured) and Danny Ward both signed deals at Liverpool during the Comolli era.

Ibe is a 16-year-old striker who became Wycombe's youngest player to appear in a league match, when he took the field aged 15 last year.

Ward is an 18-year-old goalkeeper who has represented Wales at Under-19 level. Liverpool reportedly paid Wrexham £100,000 for him.

It's too early to make a judgement on either of them.

TRANSFER RATING: TBD

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World Football Lead Writer

Will Tidey
Will Tidey

B/R's World Football Editor and Lead Writer, Will has written for ESPNsoccernet, CNN and Eurosport-Yahoo! and is the author of 'Life with Sir Alex,' released in March of 2012.
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