Liverpool’s summer transfers show how they are Europe’s best-run club

The Premier League could have tied red ribbons on its trophy months before the end of last season. That’s how much of a non-event the 2024/25 title race was. Liverpool were completely dominant, finishing 10 points clear at the top of the table. It was obvious they were going to be champions from about December onwards.

This summer’s transfer business won’t have offered much encouragement to Liverpool’s rivals that they will be caught any time soon. Indeed, the Anfield club has spent over €300m on new signings, adding Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to a squad that was already the strongest in English soccer.

Liverpool’s summer spending could reach €450m with the capture of Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker has stated his desire to leave Newcastle United with the Premier League champions believed to be leading the pursuit to sign a player who has scored 44 goals in the last two league campaigns. 

Of course, Trent Alexander-Arnold left to join Real Madrid. Luis Diaz has also departed to sign for Bayern Munich while the tragic death of Diogo Jota hit Liverpool hard. There has been more turnover in Arne Slot’s squad than many might have envisaged when the 2024/25 season ended with Liverpool lifting the Premier League trophy.

The way Liverpool have retooled their squad this summer has underlined their status as the best-run club at the elite level of European soccer. They have been able to spend so much because of the transfer decisions they have made – or haven’t made – in previous years. This is the culmination of their strategy.

Last summer, Liverpool spent just €12m to sign Federico Chiesa from Juventus. The Reds originally wanted a new central midfielder and targeted Martin Zubimendi. When the Spanish midfielder decided to stay at Real Sociedad, Liverpool kept their money in their pocket and remoulded the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister instead.

“It’s the way this club has worked over several years: targeting a specific player who we think can strengthen the squad and can bring us quality,” said Slot when asked about Liverpool’s transfer strategy. “Then we try to bring him in. We do spend, but if we spend, then we always need to recoup some money.”

Having kept the purse strings tight in past transfer windows, Liverpool have given themselves more PSR headroom than almost any other club in the Premier League this summer. They have also been helped with a new kit deal that comes into effect this summer and the recent expansion of Anfield. Liverpool are in a good financial position.

They are also in a good position to retain their Premier League crown, particularly when considering the condition many of Liverpool’s rivals are in. Manchester City, for example, are in the midst of a transition and squad rebuild with Pep Guardiola reshaping his team for the years ahead. The process might not be finished yet.

Arsenal will almost certainly be competitive near the top of the table. The Gunners have similarly been busy in the summer transfer window, capturing the likes of Viktor Gyokeres, Martin Zubimendi and Noni Madueke. With those additions, Mikel Arteta’s team will be stronger than last campaign.

On the basis of their triumphant showing at the 2025 Club World Cup, Chelsea look to have made a step forward. Enzo Maresca’s ideas are taking root at Stamford Bridge. The addition of Joao Pedro in particular could propel the Blues to an even higher level after finishing fourth last term.

However, Liverpool look to have an established advantage at the top of the Premier League pile. If anything, they could be even more dominant this season having added the best young playmaker in the sport to their squad. The addition of one of the best strikers around would further bolster their status as favourites to pull off a repeat.