Liverpool manager Arne Slot has delivered a frank assessment of the club's massive summer spending, admitting that a string of serious injuries has prevented the Reds from getting full value for their money.
A Costly Trio Sidelined
The Merseyside club invested heavily ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, but three of their marquee acquisitions have seen their contributions severely limited. British record signing Alexander Isak, who arrived lacking match fitness, suffered a broken leg against Tottenham and is ruled out for at least two months.
Central defender Giovanni Leoni sustained a season-ending ACL injury on his debut, while dynamic wing-back Jeremie Frimpong has managed just five starts in eleven games due to a persistent hamstring problem.
This trio, who cost a combined sum close to £200 million, have made a total of only 28 appearances between them. Their absence has significantly hampered Slot's strategic plan to refresh and revitalise the squad.
Glimmers of Hope Amid the Gloom
There have been brief flashes of what might have been. Frimpong, in his first Premier League start, provided an assist in the recent 2-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers. In the same match, fellow big-money arrival Florian Wirtz scored his first goal for Liverpool since his £116 million transfer.
Slot expressed hope that his fellow Dutchman Frimpong can now stay fit. "Jeremie is a great example: now if he is fit, he can definitely help us," said the head coach, highlighting the player's crucial pace. "The first goal we scored was pure individual ability: quick – bam, bam – and a cut-back cross."
Set-Piece Woes Compound the Problems
Ironically, the issues extend beyond the treatment room. Liverpool's failure to strengthen their defence further—a deadline-day move for Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi collapsed—is also proving costly.
The team's vulnerability was exposed again in the win over Wolves, where they conceded their 12th goal from a set-piece this season, allowing Santiago Bueno to score from a corner. This mistake turned a comfortable performance into a nervy finish against a team languishing at the bottom of the table.
Captain Virgil van Dijk acknowledged the defensive frailty, stating the team must take collective responsibility. "We’ve conceded too many set-piece goals and we don’t score enough," Van Dijk admitted. "It’s not been good enough. We all realise that."
As Liverpool navigate this challenging period, the hope at Anfield is that a return to fitness for their expensive stars will finally unlock the value of their substantial summer investment.
