Liverpool's Summer Statement: Limitless or Limited?

(Matt McNulty - Getty Images)

Arne Slot entered his second full season in England with enormous credit in the bank after becoming just the fifth manager to win the Premier League in his first campaign.

The Dutchman arrived at Anfield, on the coattails of Jurgen Klopp who had ended the Reds’ lengthy wait for a topflight title and secured the club’s sixth European triumph in 2019.

Small shoes to fill, huh?

Expectations of an immediate title charge were hushed down. Slot was given space to implement his own ideas, and stamp his authority, not to mention the only signing of note came in the form of Federico Chiesa who had fallen out of favour at Juventus.

Though, it became rapidly clear that Slot had hit the ground running. Liverpool had taken advantage of a flailing Manchester City and an inconsistent Arsenal side to ease to the title.

Led by a phenomenal Mohammed Salah, and the leadership of Virgil Van Dijk, it turned into a remarkable first season for Slot and set up the potential for a period of sustained dominance in England.

Arne Slot celebrating Liverpool's 20th topflight title. (Carl Recine - Getty Images)

• A Market Masterclass, or Strategic Error?

An almost €500m spend marked an aggressive approach from Liverpool certainly aimed at sending an assertive message to the rest of the Premier League.

It was as out of character as you could get from a club who under Klopp had never breached €200m, but more notably, who always fronted a careful and selective strategy in the market.

Excitement levels were high to say the least amongst the Liverpool support. Not one, but two British transfer records broken through the additions of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, whilst promising forward, Hugo Ekitike’s arrival signalled a largely new frontline.

Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez were both sold to Bayern Munich and Al-Hilal respectively, whilst the tragic passing of forward Diogo Jota in the summer required a refresh in attacking positions.

The accumulative quality and potential of the three new additions almost felt like a guaranteed upgrade, but Liverpool’s struggles in 25/26 have highlighted concerns around the signings of Wirtz and Isak in particular.

Ekitike has started life fairly well at Anfield, scoring six times in all competitions, including in his first three competitive outings, though the record signing of Isak has raised significant questions how Slot can make it function between the two.

He, in large, has not had the chance to. Isak had to initially ramp up his fitness levels before a minor knock ruled him out of the last three, whilst Ekitike’s form has slowed.

Wirtz has arguably been the biggest disappointment thus far. The German had developed a reputation at Bayer Leverkusen for his creative flair and intelligence, of which he is yet to put on full display in a Liverpool shirt.

Wirtz has struggled to adapt to English football thus far. (George Wood - Getty Images)

It’s perhaps more prudent to note all three forward acquisitions are a complete shift in profile from their predecessors in Nunez and Diaz, who provided more movement beyond the last line along with Salah.

Isak has shown his capacity to do so at Newcastle, though Wirtz and Ekitike have greater qualities in tighter spaces, in combinations and taking on players.

It provides a serious problem for Slot, who until now, has faltered to find a consistent solution. Salah has looked off it in Liverpool’s first 18 fixtures, and is not getting any younger, not to mention the loss of creativity in Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure.

The English full back left on a sour note from his boyhood club, where he spent over two decades of his life, and just under a decade of his senior career.

Controversial circumstances that led to his exit in the summer were reportedly planted well before it was confirmed, whilst the swirling of rumours in the second half of last season undermined the significance of his absence on the pitch.

An eight-year partnership with Salah was as critical a cog in the Liverpool machine as any other piece. His creative brilliance matched Salah’s movement so often, whilst the full back was the Reds’ main creator in chief, which has been so clearly lost this season.

Trent Alexander-Arnold returned to Anfield as a Real Madrid player in the Champions League group phase on November 4. (Carl Recine - Getty Images)

Jeremie Frimpong brought in to compete with Conor Bradley at right back presented two different profiles to replace one that is simply irreplaceable.

Andy Robertson’s drop in level last season brought in the need for Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, who has struggled with the step up, whilst Giorgi Mamardashvili’s arrival established some much-needed cover for Alisson, who in fact has been sidelined for much of 25/26.

The point remains, for such a noteworthy window, was it what Liverpool needed? The fact is, we do not know what Slot desired, or how much of the summer business was driven by the Dutchman, but so far, he has found troubles.

• What did Liverpool Actually Need?

What went completely amiss amidst all the activity was the failure to bring in a senior central defender, where now Slot is left thin with just four options, two of which start every week, and one who is sidelined.

The pursuit of Marc Guehi was no secret, but left far too late, whilst young prospect Giovanni Leoni is now out of the season. Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate meanwhile, have been below par collectively.

There’s no doubt Liverpool’s defensive struggles go beyond their personnel. Where Slot has attempted to incorporate exceptional talent at the top end, the balance across the pitch has waned.

The back four has never been a set unit this season, Van Dijk and Konate have been accompanied by a combination of various full back pairings, whilst the aim to fit Wirtz into a central position took away a huge part of why Slot’s side were so good in 24/25.

Dominik Szoboszlai has arguably been Liverpool’s best performer so far, whilst his midfield connection with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister last season has been missing in the attempts to accommodate Wirtz at times.

Mac Allister (left), Szoboszlai (middle) & Gravenberch were essential to Liverpool's title win in 24/25. (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC - Getty Images)

The German meanwhile has been tested in midfield and on the left more recently, where he has shown more glimpses of his quality, and why he was brought in – to replace the imagination of Alexander-Arnold.

With Wirtz on the left, it adds yet another of a seemingly long list of dilemmas for Slot. Both Isak and Ekitike have shown to prefer drifting to the left, leaving the centre of the pitch entirely too exposed for when Liverpool do lose possession.

The long chase for Isak’s signature featured a challenging saga, though perhaps the unpopular question is, was he what Liverpool were missing?

Ekitike was already through the door, with the French international similar in stature, build, and profile to an extent. The club may have been better off searching for competition for a now 33-year-old Salah on the right, or at the very least a diverse option to Ekitike.

Slot has lost the core of his runners from last season. Cody Gakpo prefers receiving to feet rather than spinning in behind, like Ekitike and to a lesser degree Isak.

And though it seemed Liverpool like clockwork found a replacement for each departure in the summer, it has become clear that what was lost was never addressed at all.