Why Liverpool have struggled to gel after £446m transfer spree

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Liverpool's summer transfer window in 2025 was marked by a massive spending spree of around £446 million, bringing in notable players such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez, and Giovanni Leoni. Despite the high-profile signings, Liverpool have struggled to gel as a team early in the season.

The transfer activity intended to address key departures and weaknesses but has faced multiple challenges. Key outgoing players included Trent Alexander-Arnold, who informed the club he would join Real Madrid as a free agent, and winger Luis Díaz, who transferred to Bayern Munich for £65.5 million. Additionally, the tragic death of forward Diogo Jota in July emotionally hit the club and created an urgent need for attacking reinforcements. Defensive issues also persisted, with Liverpool missing out on signing defender Marc Guéhi from Crystal Palace, a failure seen as costly given Alexander-Arnold's departure and the decline of Andy Robertson last season.

The acquisitions aimed to rebuild and strengthen crucial positions: Isak and Wirtz were statement signings that signaled Liverpool's intent to dominate under manager Arne Slot. Isak's transfer was notably complicated, requiring persistent effort to secure him from Newcastle, while Wirtz's £116 million fee broke the club's transfer record, marking a shift away from Liverpool's usual transfer model. Meanwhile, Frimpong and Kerkez were brought in to solidify the fullback slots for the future. The quieter signings of Mamardashvili and Leoni were also viewed as smart business.

However, this influx of talent has not yet produced cohesive performances on the pitch. Liverpool have suffered poor results and appeared disjointed, with confidence and decision-making under scrutiny. Some of the new stars, particularly Isak, have struggled with fitness issues, delaying their impact. Manager Arne Slot has placed faith in remaining players like Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and Rio Ngumoha to fill the gaps left by departures such as Díaz.

In summary, Liverpool’s extensive summer spending responded to major squad changes and unforeseen tragedy but has so far failed to translate into smooth team chemistry or consistent results. The club continues to seek defensive reinforcements and hopes the new recruits will fulfill their potential in coming months[1][2][3][4].

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