Liverpool manager Arne Slot has in a combative mood in his press conference ahead of his side’s Champions League encounter against Atletico Madrid, hitting back at spending criticism
Arne Slot has used Dominik Szoboszlai as an example of why the criticism of Liverpool’s spending in the summer transfer window is wrong. The Reds splashed over £450million on new players this summer in a bid to defend their Premier League title.
Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Giovanni Leoni, Armin Pesci and Freddie Woodman all joined, along with Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was signed last summer. Liverpool broke the Premier League transfer record to land Isak for £125m on transfer deadline day and their big-spending has raised eyebrows.
But Slot feels the analysis is unfair because Liverpool balanced the books by selling Luis Diaz, Darwin Nunez, Caoimhin Kelleher, Jarell Quansah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ben Doak, Tyler Morton and Nat Phillips.
“There is so much focus on our new signings, especially from pundits that favour some other clubs in the country that cannot stop talking about £450m,” Slot told reporters ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League game against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday. “’I repeat, £450m, £450m! But they forget about the £300m that we have sold.
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“So, yes, if we want to strengthen the squad we need to spend that much money. If we sell Dominik Szoboszlai tomorrow he would be worth £100m as well. I think it is only a compliment that people tell everyone we have spent so much because that tells you the players we brought in are seen as very good players.
“I think we did great business; we brought in great players and to add to that, we have already lowered the age of the players. Some other teams prefer to bring in 27-year-olds because they are ready, but we think we have brought in players who are 21, 22 who are ready.
“And then if they are still with you in four or five years, we can sell [someone like] Luis Diaz for £65m. But it is harder to sell him for £65m if he is already 32. That is our model and I think we should get praise. I think all the money we have spent we generated ourselves by selling and by winning the league after we didn’t buy anyone at all.”
Szoboszlai was signed for £60m from RB Leipzig in 2023 and has 16 goals and 15 assists in 99 games for the club, where he remains under contract until June 2028. The 24-year-old midfielder has shown his worth to Slot this season, filling in at right-back and scoring the stunning long-range free-kick to beat Arsenal.
Liverpool’s new-look side have started with four straight wins in the Premier League, scoring late goals to down Bournemouth, Newcastle and Burnley. Slot’s new squad will be needed in the upcoming matches, with the Champions League beginning at Anfield on Wednesday night.
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