Was £450m transfer spree Slot's downfall?
- Published
Most observers – including this one – believed Liverpool's title was theirs to lose after one of the most spectacular summers of spending in Premier League history.
After keeping their powder dry following Arne Slot's arrival, a strategy rewarded with the title, Liverpool embarked on a remarkable spree.
This included £125m British record signing Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, £116m Germany golden boy Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, another £70m striker in Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, as well as another £70m on full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong from Bournemouth and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.
Liverpool raked in more than £250m from sales of players such as striker Darwin Nunez to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich and Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen.
Trent Alexander-Arnold left for Real Madrid for a small fee just before the end of his contract while, of course, the whole club and its support was devastated by Diogo Jota's death.
Alexander-Arnold and Diaz, outstanding at Bayern, have been sorely missed.
Liverpool's outlay, however, did not strengthen their squad. It made it worse, which takes some doing.
It left the squad mediocre and unbalanced as expensive new acquisitions spluttered or suffered injuries, while their recruitment team failed to deliver one of their most significant targets.
There are many questions around Slot's transfer dealings, although owners Fenway Sports Group's CEO of football Michael Edwards and sporting director Richard Hughes must also take responsibility.
Liverpool's key pair of power brokers were showered with bouquets in the summer. Now they must take the brickbats.
How did such a splurge leave an unbalanced team?
Why did Liverpool not sign competition for Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo on the flanks?
Was enough thought given to how Wirtz would be utilised as Liverpool revelled in beating Manchester City to his signature?
Did they really need to spend £125m on Isak having spent £70m on Ekitike?
Were they too complacent in assuming Crystal Palace would just give up on Marc Guehi?
