Why are Liverpool’s big-money arrivals yet to click under Arne Slot? | OneFootball

Not Slotting In? Liverpool’s Transitional Puzzles

Arne Slot has enjoyed a meteoric rise at Liverpool, inheriting a title-winning side from Jurgen Klopp and immediately delivering domestic success. Expectations, however, have shifted dramatically since that first season. Slot’s early triumph created a benchmark, and this summer’s seismic spending spree only amplified the pressure. After £125 million on Alexander Isak, £100 million on Florian Wirtz, and further outlays on Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giorgi Mamardashvili, and Giovanni Leoni, Liverpool’s squad is richer, deeper, and more exciting, but not yet fully cohesive.

Despite Liverpool leading the Premier League, recent defeats at Crystal Palace and against Galatasaray in the Champions League expose cracks. As one analyst wrote, “It’s perplexing then, to find Slot licking minor wounds after defeat at Crystal Palace on Saturday and another against Galatasaray in the Champions League last night.” Liverpool’s new-look team has yet to fully gel, and the margins that favoured them earlier in the season are narrowing.

Fine Margins and Defensive Instability

Slot’s side has relied heavily on late goals, winning four of their five Premier League matches and their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid in the dying minutes. Defensively, they remain fragile. James Pearce observes that “their defending is less stable, and it couldn’t be said that the influx of new players has elevated their football.” The challenge now is to integrate new signings while maintaining a level of consistency. Mohamed Salah, a talisman for years, even found himself on the bench, highlighting the tactical and squad dilemmas Slot faces.

Change of this magnitude demands patience. Squad building is not only about investment; chemistry and timing are crucial. Slot now faces what could be described as a delayed transitional phase, despite the early domestic triumph. Adapting to the Premier League’s intensity remains a steep learning curve for some new recruits, particularly Wirtz and Isak, whose adjustment periods are underway.

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Integrating High-Profile Signings

Liverpool’s spending this summer is unprecedented. “Enough money to buy a small country,” as one report phrased it. Yet, not every signing immediately clicks. Isak has looked rusty after a summer away from competitive action, while Wirtz is adjusting to less space and time than in the Bundesliga. The loss of Diogo Jota, tragically killed in July 2025, adds an emotional and tactical void in the dressing room.

Even moments of misfortune, like conceding an early Victor Osimhen penalty through Dominik Szoboszlai’s flailing arm, highlight the delicate balance between potential and execution. Slot possesses the raw talent across his squad, yet the pieces are not yet in the right order, and chemistry is still forming.

Future Prospects and Patience

Slot’s Liverpool side is a work in progress, and the early-season turbulence should not alarm supporters. What is needed is time to consolidate, alongside careful management of expectations. Football fans and pundits alike should recognise that fine margins, defensive cohesion, and tactical integration take time. The summer window may have provided the tools, but assembling them into a championship-calibre unit is an ongoing challenge.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

From a Liverpool supporter’s perspective, the current situation feels frustrating but not alarming. Slot’s first season offered hope and optimism, and while this summer’s changes were exciting, the early stumbles reveal that chemistry cannot be bought, only nurtured. Fans are aware that injuries, form, and adaptation to the Premier League can slow progress. Isak and Wirtz, two marquee signings, will need time to adjust, and supporters understand that reliance on Salah off the bench may become occasional necessity until patterns settle.

The loss of Diogo Jota remains a profound emotional and tactical challenge. Slot must now blend legacy players with new arrivals while navigating grief and maintaining morale. Despite setbacks, the foundation for continued domestic and European success is intact. The key will be Slot’s ability to impose his philosophy while giving his squad space to evolve. Patience, supporters argue, is essential, because a Liverpool side brimming with talent but lacking cohesion will eventually find its rhythm.