Liverpool’s massive summer overhaul — marked by a record-breaking spending spree — is increasingly being viewed as a gamble that has yet to pay off. Despite investing heavily to reshape the squad, the Premier League giants are facing early challenges under manager Arne Slot, who is still searching for the right balance within his new-look team.
The club secured several high-profile signings across all departments, reinforcing both defense and attack with marquee additions such as Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili. The influx of fresh talent was expected to elevate Liverpool’s overall depth and tactical versatility, but the team’s performances have raised concerns instead of delivering immediate improvement.
One of the major talking points has been Wirtz’s slow adaptation. Brought in for a significant fee and considered a central figure in the club’s long-term plans, he has yet to make a decisive impact in terms of goals or assists. His struggle to adjust to the Premier League’s pace has created a midfield imbalance, forcing Slot to continually rotate and experiment with combinations.
Defensively, Liverpool have yet to regain the solidity that defined their title-winning form. Despite new signings, the backline has appeared disjointed, with communication gaps and positional errors recurring across matches. The pressing system, once the team’s greatest strength, has also seemed sluggish and inconsistent, weakening Liverpool’s ability to dominate transitions.
Up front, Slot faces tough tactical decisions. Neither Isak nor Ekitike has fully settled, leaving the manager unsure about his best attacking structure. The team’s struggle to convert possession into clear scoring opportunities has added to the growing frustration.
