Liverpool spent heavily in the 2024-25 window, signing Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoni, yet finished the season 24 points worse than the previous term. None of the summer signings started in the last match against Brentford. Slot expects only a “little transition” rather than major changes. Champions League qualification was confirmed only on the final day after a turbulent campaign. Isak arrived for a record 125m fee but struggled due to a serious ankle injury and other minor issues, scoring only three times in 14 Premier League appearances. Liverpool need improved availability and better involvement of the central striker, especially with Ekitike sidelined for a long period.
"In Arne Slot's first summer at Anfield in 2024, Liverpool bought only Federico Chiesa - yet the Reds won the Premier League title in the season that followed. In contrast, last summer they splashed out 415m - setting a new record for the amount spent by a club in a window - as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni were signed. Yet Liverpool finished this season with 24 points fewer than they did last term - the worst season-to-season swing of any team in the league - and none of the summer signings started in their last game against Brentford."
"Slot expects a "little transition" this summer but nothing "drastic". After a turbulent season that saw Liverpool confirm Champions League qualification only on the last day, BBC Sport grades each of last summer's signings. Isak arrived with high expectations after forcing his way out of Newcastle United to join for a record fee of 125m. But the Sweden striker has endured a year to forget, with a serious ankle injury ruling him out for three months and other minor issues affecting his availability."
"Isak netted 54 goals from 86 appearances in the Premier League for Newcastle but scored just three times in 14 top-flight appearances for Liverpool, albeit six of those games were from off the bench. "Availability is the best ability", the saying goes, and Liverpool need Isak to play a lot more than the 1,033 minutes he managed in 2025-26, especially with Ekitike out for a long period. When fit, Isak showed flashes of his class - such as the touch and finish against Crystal Palace - and a prime task for Liverpool next season will be to improve their ability to get their central striker involved in the game."
Read at www.bbc.com
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