The summer transfer window has been a platform for Liverpool to send a massive statement to the rest of the Premier League. And they’ve done just that.
The Reds steamrolled to the Premier League title last season, with Mohamed Salah as their lynchpin.
The Egyptian icon had already earned himself a spot among Liverpool legends, but he went one step further when he bagged 29 goals and 18 assists to lead the Reds to their 20th top-flight title.
Determined to keep the coveted crown in Merseyside, Liverpool have spent over £250 million, excluding add-ons, to make four major additions to the squad, and they’re not done yet.
Read on as we assess which signing will be the most successful next season.
Florian Wirtz – £116m from Bayer Leverkusen
Liverpool smashed Premier League transfer records when they forked out an earth-shattering £116m to sign German playmaker Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen.
The Reds needed a conductor, someone who thrives in tight spaces and can dictate the tempo, and Wirtz checks all their boxes.
The 21-year-old is already one of the most polished playmakers in Europe.
Last season, he was the Bundesliga’s most effective dribbler and ranked among the continent’s most dangerous creators in the attacking third.
But numbers only tell part of the story. What makes Wirtz special is how effortlessly he operates in chaos. He’s composed under pressure and carves defences open with a minimum of fuss.
The German will slot into the number 10 role in Arne Slot’s 4-2-3-1 set-up, which means Dominik Szoboszlai could take on a deeper role to accommodate him.
Wirtz is an upgrade and could easily be the key to keeping the crown in Merseyside.
Hugo Ekitike – £69.4m from Eintracht Frankfurt
Hugo Ekitike is another big-money signing that’ll be under the spotlight next season. But he could surprise the naysayers.
The 6ft2 striker is blessed with pace, flair, and raw physicality. He fits the mould of the modern forward, but there are questions about whether he can thrive as a lone striker.
He’s far from the finished article, but there’s a reason Liverpool bet big on him.
Last season, Ekitike scored 15 Bundesliga goals for Eintracht Frankfurt despite an xG tally of 21.6, so he needs to improve his composure in front of goal, especially after missing 16 big chances.
But he’s only 23, and the fact that he got into those positions so often leaves plenty to be desired.
He was the Bundesliga’s most frequent shooter and one of its most eager dribblers, so he’s not scared to carry the ball or take on defenders.
With more elite forwards around him, the prospect is exciting.
Jeremie Frimpong – £29.5m from Bayer Leverkusen
Jeremie Frimpong was the first to come in at Anfield as Liverpool wasted no time replacing Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Throughout his four-year spell at Leverkusen, he developed into one of the best right-backs in the world, although his defensive prowess has raised a few eyebrows.
Since the start of the 2023/24 season, Frimpong has racked up 19 goals and 24 assists. His biggest weapon is his movement. No other defender in Germany made more progressive carries.
Frimpong thrived more as a winger than a right-back, so it makes sense why few are sceptical about his defensive acumen, especially coming into Slot’s back four system.
But it’s not his first rodeo. While his best years at Leverkusen came at wing-back, he spent much of his first two seasons at right-back.
He averaged 1.6 tackles, 0.6 interceptions and won possession 4.8 times per 90 minutes, so he can do the job.
Milos Kerkez – £40m from Bournemouth
Milos Kerkez came in from Bournemouth as a long-term successor to Andrew Robertson, who will also go down as a Liverpool legend after nearly a decade at Anfield.
The Hungarian international comes in with a reputation for relentless running, clever positioning, and attacking aggression.
No player in the Premier League made more underlapping runs than Kerkez last season. He did that 131 times, nearly double Robertson’s tally.
Kerkez’s decision-making in the final third has also caught the eye. He scored twice, assisted five goals and created eight big chances last season.
He was among the most effective full-backs in England. He can improve his defensive ability.
He isn’t a dominant aerial presence and prefers to jockey rather than dive into tackles. But his tackling success rate is solid, and his discipline without the ball has improved.
Kerkez is a proactive full-back who is tactically flexible. He fits into Slot’s vision and could easily be Liverpool’s most important signing next season.
Alexander Isak?
Liverpool have shown that they’re not afraid to break the British transfer record twice in one summer if that’s what it takes to bring in Isak.
The Swedish striker has already told Newcastle United he wants to leave, so it remains to be seen how that transfer saga unfolds.
While they’re at it, his potential addition does spark some tactical debates about how Slot could blend him and Ekitike in the starting line-up.
Both strikers have a similar profile. Tall, technically superb, and deceptively fast. But Ekitike has some way to go to catch up with Isak’s goalscoring numbers.
Isak is a proven Premier League goalscorer and offers a more clinical presence up front. He’d start ahead of Ekitike, but the latter could slot in on the left flank if Slot adopts a narrow 4-2-3-1 system.
Ekitike is at his best when he plays off a striker. With Isak potentially coming in, there’s a decent chance that Ekitike will replace Diaz on the left flank.
Who will be the most successful?
Naturally, all eyes will be on the big money additions. If Isak comes in, he automatically takes the crown for ‘most successful signing’.
But until then, Wirtz is the best bet. But you wouldn’t put it past Ekitike, Frimpong or Kerkez to steal the spotlight.
