Liverpool are wrong, not all of their 2025 summer signings are destined to become 'elite' - opinion

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Liverpool’s summer spending spree of 2025 failed to have the desired effect and has become a stick to beat Arne Slot’s team with over the course of a poor campaign.Nevertheless, according to a new report from The Times, the Reds remain convinced that all of their big-name signings are ‘elite’ or ‘have the potential to become so.’With the evidence on the pitch perhaps contradicting Liverpool‘s confident claims, Rousing The Kop have assessed each of the six outfield additions to determine whether they are elite, have the potential to be so, or are simply not going to reach that level. As a goalscorer he has been one of the most lethal in the Premier League for the last two seasons, and once he does eventually return it is likely that he will show his quality once again.Jeremie Frimpong – Verdict: Not eliteAs Liverpool bid to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold last summer, Jeremie Frimpong looked like a strange choice.Although the Dutchman has had some very good moments for the Reds so far, he also looks far from being one of the best right-backs in Europe.He is better further up the pitch, but you would be hard-pressed to call him an elite forward either.

Injuries have disrupted him and there is surely better to come, but for now, Liverpool will perhaps feel they could have done a better job on this front.Milos Kerkez – Verdict: Not eliteWhether Milos Kerkez is an elite player – or could become one – looked cut and dry after several months of his Liverpool career. Despite arriving with a big reputation, the Hungarian badly struggled to get going for the Reds.Nevertheless, Kerkez has improved in recent months to look more and more like a Liverpool starter.Having said that, his offensive output is nowhere near where it should be, and the 22-year-old still looks like he has a rick in him.

Jurgen Klopp or Xabi Alonso? 🤤 Photo Credit: Getty Images/Justin Setterfield/Jurgen Fromme/Firo Sportphoto Hugo Ekitike – Verdict: Could become eliteAfter three quarters of the season, some Liverpool supporters would argue that what they have seen from Hugo Ekitike has been undeniably elite.While that has been true in moments, and across certain matches, Ekitike still has plenty to improve upon before he can sit in that category.Despite certain failings such as heading and match fitness, though, the Frenchman has shown that he has the raw abilities to mould himself into one of the world’s best strikers.Giovanni Leoni – Verdict: Could become eliteGiovanni Leoni is a hard one to judge given he only made one appearance for Liverpool before suffering a serious knee injury. However, Leoni was sensational on his debut and that, coupled with his showings at Parma, mean the Reds are right to believe he could become a top performer.Plenty will obviously depend on how the Italian reacts to this devastating setback next season, but given his stature, ability and seemingly calm nature, he will be expected to bounce back well.Liverpool would likely put Jeremy Jacquet into this same ‘could become elite’ category as well, but seeing as the Rennes man has yet to make any kind of contribution, we’ll reserve judgement there.As far as last season’s signings go, Liverpool certainly have an argument that despite the failings, they actually recruited exceptionally well.