- From Wirtz to Isak, Ekitike to Frimpong: Liverpool’s historic window hasn’t ignited their 2025/26 push | OneFootball

Liverpool’s season has not gone as planned with the Premier League champions off the pace in the title race. Arne Slot’s side are fourth in the table, 14 points behind leaders Arsenal ahead of facing the Gunners on Thursday.

The Reds’ struggle to repeat last season’s performances come despite a record-breaking spend in the summer, a spree that has heightened criticism of their displays in 2025/26.

After winning thePremier League title in his debut campaign, Arne Slot spent big in a bid to retain their crown. Liverpool invested £415m in new talent - the biggest ever single-window spend in the history of European football.

That figure eclipsed the £400m spent by Chelsea in 2023 and would have been increased further had a £35m deadline day move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi not fallen through.

Liverpool’s incredible spending spree included twice breaking the British transfer record. First, Florian Wirtz was signed from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £100m, potentially rising to £116m with add-ons. Wirtz built a reputation as arguably Germany’s most exciting talent but has taken time to settle on Merseyside.

Liverpool, latterly, eclipsed even that fee. After a summer-long saga, Alexander Isak was prised from Newcastle United for a £125m fee, making the Swede the most expensive purchase in Premier League history.

His fortunes have been even tougher. He's scored twice in just six league starts and is currently sidelined by a fractured fibula. His lack of a pre-season has been difficult to overcome.

Further additions included the £69m signing of Hugo Ekitike, perhaps the sole summer signing who has hit the ground running.

Ekitike has hit eight goals in 18 league games, and 11 in all competitions. Questions have been asked about the need to sign both Ekitike and Isak, two forwards with stylistic similarities and who cost big fees.

As Isak has struggled, however, Ekitike has excelled. Slot will be grateful the club opted for both.

Elsewhere, full-back was strengthened with the incomings of Jeremie Frimpong (£29m) from Bayer Leverkusen and Bournemouth defender Milos Kerkez (£40m). Dubbed the long-term replacements to Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, neither have reached the heights shown at former clubs.

Lastly, Giovanni Leoni was brought in from Parma for £26m. One for the future, the teenager suffered the serious setback of an ACL injury on hisLiverpool debut.

It is worth remembering thatLiverpool’s net spend was just over £200m. The Reds recouped big fees for the likes of Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, while Jarell Quansah, Caoiminh Kelleher and Ben Gannon Doak all fetched significant sums.