Liverpool, Arne Slot and FSG face new realities following record-breaking summer transfer business

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It would take a valiant effort for any supporter to ever plead poverty again.

That said, Liverpool’s summer spending should be viewed in context.

They needed to be replaced, and Liverpool’s summer transfer income of £236M ($317M), potentially up to £262M ($351M) with add-ons included, is the third best of any Premier League side in the window.

The Reds didn’t even finish bottom in the net spend table, an unwanted title Arsenal currently holds

However, talk of the Gunners’ summer expenditure has been minimal in comparison to that of the reigning champions.

And few now back Mikel Arteta’s side to unseat Liverpool at the Premier League summit following the additions of Isak, Wirtz and co to a side that so comfortably won the title last season.

This is Liverpool’s new reality

Liverpool missed out on Marc Guehi on the final day of the summer transfer window

That said, this squad is not perfect, and the failure to sign Marc Guehi could leave Liverpool short at center-back, given Ibrahima Konate's form, Leoni's inexperience, and Joe Gomez's injury record.

The decision not to stump up the money earlier this summer for Guehi is the only major flaw of the window, and the one instance of FSG’s usually cautious approach having unwanted ramifications

Diaz’s absence will also be felt

When Salah misses several games due to the African Cup of Nations in the winter, that concern will feel even more pressing.

That said, Liverpool feels a pathway for Ngumoha has been kept clear, as is the case for Leoni and Trey Nyoni.

That could prove to be another FSG masterstroke, after a transformative summer for the Liverpool hierarchy.