Rafa Benitez's 10 most expensive Liverpool sales and how they fared after leaving
Liverpool became one of the best teams in Europe under Rafa Benitez, meaning most players weren't really desperate to leave.
There were some exceptions, and the Spanish coach also had to balance the books by selling some of his team's players during his six years in charge.
We've taken a look at the 10 most expensive outings during Benitez's time at Liverpool to see how they fared after leaving the club.
10. John Arne Riise - £4millionRiise became a cult hero during his seven years at Anfield, mainly due to his talent for the Absolute Thunderbastards.
The left-back lost his place to Fabio Aurelio and joined Italian side Roma in 2008, but returned to England with Fulham three years later.
He then played in Cyprus and India before ending his playing career in Norway with fourth division side SK Rollon.
READ: A tribute to John Arne Riise and his ability to hit a ball really hard
9. Mark Gonzalez - £5millionGonzalez was originally signed from Albacete in October 2005, but problems obtaining a work permit forced him to spend the 2005-06 season on loan in Spain.
The Chilean international failed to make an impact in the Premier League and left for Real Betis after just one season in England.
After spending five years at CSKA Moscow, he returned to South America in 2014 and announced his retirement in November 2019.
8. Djibril Cisse - £6millionAfter spending the 2006-07 season on loan at Marseille, Cissé joined the French side on a permanent contract in 2007.
But the companion left Marseille two years later and then made stays in Greece, Italy, England, Qatar, Russia and Switzerland.
He decided to hang up his boots in 2017 but later confirmed that he wanted to come out of retirement and finish what he started in Ligue 1.
"You know what it's like with goalscorers," Cissé told So Foot in May 2020.
“We love goals, we love hitting milestones; 25, 50, 75… for me, it's the 100 mark that haunts me, I've been stuck on 96 since I quit.
"I'm four goals short and it's driving me crazy!" I want to come back to Ligue 1 to have them. If a club takes me, I can have them in two or three months.
"I am ready to come back and play for free, without remuneration, so there is not much risk for them. At the moment, I am not in advanced discussions with anyone but I hope clubs will appear."
Unfortunately, we are still waiting for it to reach this century and now we are beginning to doubt that it will ever happen.
7. Milan Baros - £6.5millionJust months after helping Liverpool beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, Baros was sold to Aston Villa.
He then played with Lyon, Portsmouth and Galatasaray, and is currently back in amateur football in his native country with FK Vigantice.
READ: Milan Baros and Liverpool: The holiday romance we'll always fondly remember
6. Craig Bellamy
Liverpool became one of the best teams in Europe under Rafa Benitez, meaning most players weren't really desperate to leave.
There were some exceptions, and the Spanish coach also had to balance the books by selling some of his team's players during his six years in charge.
We've taken a look at the 10 most expensive outings during Benitez's time at Liverpool to see how they fared after leaving the club.
10. John Arne Riise - £4millionRiise became a cult hero during his seven years at Anfield, mainly due to his talent for the Absolute Thunderbastards.
The left-back lost his place to Fabio Aurelio and joined Italian side Roma in 2008, but returned to England with Fulham three years later.
He then played in Cyprus and India before ending his playing career in Norway with fourth division side SK Rollon.
READ: A tribute to John Arne Riise and his ability to hit a ball really hard
9. Mark Gonzalez - £5millionGonzalez was originally signed from Albacete in October 2005, but problems obtaining a work permit forced him to spend the 2005-06 season on loan in Spain.
The Chilean international failed to make an impact in the Premier League and left for Real Betis after just one season in England.
After spending five years at CSKA Moscow, he returned to South America in 2014 and announced his retirement in November 2019.
8. Djibril Cisse - £6millionAfter spending the 2006-07 season on loan at Marseille, Cissé joined the French side on a permanent contract in 2007.
But the companion left Marseille two years later and then made stays in Greece, Italy, England, Qatar, Russia and Switzerland.
He decided to hang up his boots in 2017 but later confirmed that he wanted to come out of retirement and finish what he started in Ligue 1.
"You know what it's like with goalscorers," Cissé told So Foot in May 2020.
“We love goals, we love hitting milestones; 25, 50, 75… for me, it's the 100 mark that haunts me, I've been stuck on 96 since I quit.
"I'm four goals short and it's driving me crazy!" I want to come back to Ligue 1 to have them. If a club takes me, I can have them in two or three months.
"I am ready to come back and play for free, without remuneration, so there is not much risk for them. At the moment, I am not in advanced discussions with anyone but I hope clubs will appear."
Unfortunately, we are still waiting for it to reach this century and now we are beginning to doubt that it will ever happen.
7. Milan Baros - £6.5millionJust months after helping Liverpool beat AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League final, Baros was sold to Aston Villa.
He then played with Lyon, Portsmouth and Galatasaray, and is currently back in amateur football in his native country with FK Vigantice.
READ: Milan Baros and Liverpool: The holiday romance we'll always fondly remember
6. Craig BellamyWhat's Your Reaction?
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