There’s no denying it: Liverpool are building something new. The 2025 summer window wasn’t just about replacing players. It was about redefining what Liverpool look like in the post-Klopp era. And if the early moves under Arne Slot are any indication, the club is leaning hard into youth, flexibility, and continental flair.
The club spent over $318 million, its largest outlay in modern history, to bring in five major names: Florian Wirtz ($147m), Hugo Ekitiké ($100m), Milos Kerkez ($51m), Jeremie Frimpong ($37.5m), and Giorgi Mamardashvili ($32m). Backup keepers and depth options like Freddie Woodman and Ármin Pécsi have also joined. These aren’t fringe investments. These are cornerstone pieces.
| Player | Status | Club From/To | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florian Wirtz | In | Bayer Leverkusen | $147m |
| Hugo Ekitiké | In | Eintracht Frankfurt | $100m |
| Milos Kerkez | In | Bournemouth | $51m |
| Jeremie Frimpong | In | Bayer Leverkusen | $37.5m |
| Giorgi Mamardashvili | In | Valencia | $32m |
| Freddie Woodman | In | Preston North End | Undisclosed |
| Ármin Pécsi | In | MTK Budapest | Undisclosed |
| Luis Díaz | Out | To Bayern Munich | $83m |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | Out | To Real Madrid | $13m |
| Jarell Quansah | Out | To Bayer Leverkusen | $38m |
| Caoimhín Kelleher | Out | To Brentford | $16m |
At the heart of it all is Wirtz. The 22-year-old playmaker, fresh off a Bundesliga title with Leverkusen, arrives as Liverpool’s record signing and the new face of Slot’s high-possession, high-tempo football. He’s not just a replacement for Luis Díaz, who joined Bayern for $83m. Wirtz is the creative centerpiece the Reds have lacked since Philippe Coutinho left.
Hugo Ekitiké, meanwhile, offers a mobile, modern No.9 profile. After netting 22 goals last season for Frankfurt, he’ll likely lead the line with Wirtz feeding him. The club fended off Manchester United for his signature. At 23, he represents the future.
Kerkez and Frimpong will give Liverpool fresh legs at fullback, something desperately needed after an exhausting campaign for Robertson and Alexander-Arnold. With Trent now a Real Madrid player (for a surprisingly low $13m early release), Frimpong slots into the right-back role, while Kerkez is tipped to succeed Robertson on the left eventually.
Mamardashvili’s arrival also suggests the future beyond Alisson is being mapped out. At 6-foot-6, the Georgian impressed in La Liga and is considered one of the most promising young goalkeepers in Europe.
Slot’s blueprint is clear
The overarching message? Arne Slot isn’t just managing transition. He’s orchestrating transformation.
His setup, more fluid than Klopp’s 4-3-3, asks for vertical movement, quick interplay, and control through the middle. Wirtz as a central 10, flanked by Ekitiké and either Salah, or Gakpo, provides technical precision and pressing power. With Frimpong and Kerkez overlapping, Liverpool’s attacking lanes widen.
Critically, the club didn’t just buy names. They bought role players. Every signing solves a tactical or depth issue. And they did it while maintaining a relatively controlled net spend, thanks to major sales like Díaz, Quansah ($38m to Leverkusen), Kelleher ($16m to Brentford), and of course, Trent.
Now, attention turns to Alexander Isak. Newcastle rejected Liverpool’s $140m+ bid, but sources suggest a verbal agreement is in place between the club and the striker. Should a second bid be lodged, Liverpool’s spending could reach unprecedented levels. There’s also interest in Marc Guehi as a center-back reinforcement.
What started as a smart reshuffle has turned into a potential statement window. Liverpool isn’t just preparing for the future. They’re insisting on shaping it.
