Slot explains why Liverpool's transfer spending of over £400 million has not translated into a Premier League title challenge.
On 27 Feb 2026 GMT+7, Liverpool manager Arne Slot gave a recent interview ahead of the 28th Premier League match of the 2025-26 season, as Liverpool prepare to host West Ham United on Saturday, 28 Feb.
The Liverpool manager addressed the issue of spending more than £400 million on transfers last summer but falling out of the Premier League title race, slipping to sixth place behind Manchester United and Chelsea, and now facing a challenging run-in to secure a spot in the UEFA Champions League.
Alexander Isak £125 million
Florian Wirtz £116.5 million
Hugo Ekitike £79 million
Milos Kerkez £40 million
Giovanni Leoní £30 million
Jeremy Frimpong £29.5 million
Giorgi Mamardashvili £29 million
Armin Pešić £1.5 million
Mor Talla N'Diaye £1 million
Will Wright £200,000
Freddy Woodman Free
Total £417.2 million (*transfer fees exclude potential future bonuses)
Arne Slot clarified that Liverpool's underperformance despite huge spending is because many of the new signings, such as Alexander Isak, Jeremy Frimpong, and Giovanni Leoní, have been largely sidelined due to injuries, while Giorgi Mamardashvili remains the second-choice goalkeeper behind Alisson Becker.
Slot responded to criticism of Liverpool's management this season, saying, "I know we spent a lot last summer, but it seems no one understands that other Premier League clubs also strengthened with new players, while we had to replace players in our squad."
"Of the €450 million we spent, I could only effectively use €250 million. Alexander Isak has hardly been fit, Giovanni Leoní has been out for the season, and Frimpong made an impact in only five or six games. We bought a backup goalkeeper for €35 million (Mamardashvili), but he has barely played."
"So we have only utilized under €250 million of the €450 million spent, while our rivals spent €200 million, €300 million, or even €400 million to strengthen their squads without needing to replace players."