Liverpool looked destined to retain the Premier League crown from the moment they lifted their 20th title last spring.
Arne Slot’s first season as head coach saw Liverpool dominate from Christmas onward. They secured the title with four games to spare and finished ten points clear at the top.
The club responded by executing the largest summer spending spree in European football history, splashing £415m on world-class talent.
The previous record of £400m was held by Chelsea in summer 2023. Liverpool would have spent an additional £35m if a deal for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi had gone through.
Before this historic outlay, Liverpool were already favourites. After it, claiming a 21st league title seems almost inevitable.
Liverpool breaks transfer records
Although it is early in the season to make definitive judgments, Liverpool look harder to beat now than before the window closed. On deadline day, they smashed the British transfer record, potentially twice. They signed Germany international Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for an initial £100m, which could rise to £116m.
They then completed the summer’s biggest transfer saga by signing Newcastle striker Alexander Isak for £125m, potentially rising to £130m with add-ons.
Liverpool, top of the Premier League with maximum points from three games, faced only one hiccup when the Guehi move fell through because Crystal Palace could not find a replacement.
Other major signings included striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for £69m, full-backs Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth for a combined £70m, and teenage Italian defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma for £26m plus add-ons.
Liverpool also recouped around £210m from major departures, including Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz, Jarell Quansah, Caoiminh Kelleher, and Ben Gannon-Doak.
This recruitment drive dwarfs rivals’ spending, regardless of ambitious moves by Arsenal, Manchester City, and Chelsea. Slot secured the title last year without heavy spending, but now expectations rise for Premier League or Champions League success.
Pressure mounts on Arne Slot
The unprecedented financial backing intensifies pressure on Slot. Anything less than a major trophy would count as failure, but supporters who predicted another Liverpool title feel even more confident now, especially looking at the current table.
Chasing pack make bold moves
Arsenal have struggled as runners-up in recent seasons but aimed to change that with significant signings. They added striker Viktor Gyokores from Sporting Lisbon for £64m and midfielder Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad for £60m. They also captured England international Eberechi Eze after a £60m move from Crystal Palace to Tottenham collapsed.
Manager Mikel Arteta faces enormous pressure to end five barren years without silverware. He cannot rely on excuses. Yet his cautious approach against Liverpool on Sunday backfired, resulting in another Anfield defeat. Arsenal remain without a league win there since 2012.
Manchester City responded to a disappointing previous season by signing Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The move pushed James Trafford down the pecking order despite joining City to challenge Ederson. City also added Rayan Ait-Nouri from Wolves, Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan, and Rayan Cherki from Lyon. A poor start, including defeats to Spurs and Brighton, suggests old weaknesses linger. Guardiola will rely on Donnarumma to provide stability.
Chelsea continued their revolving-door approach with arrivals and departures, but manager Enzo Maresca still lacks a squad capable of challenging for the title. Joao Pedro joined from Brighton for £60m, and Alejandro Garnacho arrived for £40m. The team looks ready for top-four contention rather than a title push.
Newcastle dominated headlines as Isak’s transfer saga unfolded. The club finally lowered their £150m price tag, allowing him to move to Liverpool. Manager Eddie Howe strengthened his attack by signing Nick Woltemade from Stuttgart for a club-record £69m and Yoane Wissa from Brentford for £55m. They also added Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa for £40m and Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest for £55m. However, losing Isak remains a major blow.
Spurs experienced frustration when a deal for Morgan Gibbs-White collapsed, and Arsenal intercepted Eze. Manager Thomas Frank still bolstered his squad with Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons, and PSG striker Randal Kolo Muani on loan from Juventus.
When the dust settles, Liverpool’s extraordinary summer still sets them apart as the team to beat.
