After three windows of minimal spending, Liverpool's use of the 2025/26 summer transfer window could land them in a position to create a dynasty.
“The Reds have got no money, but we’ll still win the league,” sang Liverpool supporters as Arne Slot guided the club to the Premier League title in the 2024/25 campaign.
Of course, the Reds have in fact got money, and lots of it – but with a net spend (€640.68m) lower than Manchester City (€1003.09m), Manchester United (€1332.63), Tottenham (€837.23m), Chelsea (€1155.23) and Arsenal (€977.56) over the course of the last ten seasons, frustration was growing with American owners Fenway Sports Group.
In the three windows prior to this one, Liverpool’s spending amounted to just €12m – and it’s starting to become apparent as to why.
With the PSR restrictions in place, it’s highly unlikely that a team can spend incessantly without punishment, and the Reds’ lack of spending in the last 18 months has presented an opportunity for the club to spend freely ahead of next term.
A summer well spent
With smart operators Michael Edwards (CEO of football) and Richard Hughes (sporting director) overseeing operations at the club, Liverpool are unlikely to move for a player unless they see them as the perfect fit.
Liverpool’s needs have coincided perfectly with what’s on the market this summer.
First and foremost, the additions of Milos Kerkez to compete with the ageing Andrew Robertson and Jeremie Frimpong to assist Conor Bradley in filling the void left by Trent Alexander-Arnold – efficient business wrapped up prior to the Reds’ pre-season.
Then there is the arrival of generational talent Florian Wirtz. Signing from Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool fended off interest from Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Manchester City to acquire his services, paying a premium price as a signal of intent that the club will significantly back Slot in his mission to win back-to-back league titles.
More recently, the Reds confirmed the signing of highly rated French centre forward Hugo Ekitike – who everybody presumed would be joining to be the club’s starting number nine.
In recent days, however, news has unfolded that Newcastle’s Alexander Isak has informed the club of his desire to explore a move away – with Liverpool reportedly alert to the situation and set to make a formal bid.
Wirtz, Ekitike, Kerkez, Frimpong and even the arrival of back-up goalkeeper Giorgi Marmardashvili – undoubtedly imposing signings, but the addition of Isak could set Liverpool up for a dynasty.
Combining his physical and technical aspects, there’s few, if any, strikers in the world better than the Swede at present.
There’s irony in the fact that Isak’s first Premier League goal came in a 2-1 defeat at Anfield, rifling home an effort to give Newcastle the lead. Later that game, he dropped Andrew Robertson and Joe Gomez to the floor before firing home a goal that was narrowly disallowed for offside.
An arrival that personified composure, yet a sense of arrogance that suggested he knew what was to come for him in a Newcastle shirt.
Alexander Isak's Premier League stats
Appearances | Goals | Assists | |
2024/25 | 34 | 23 | 6 |
2023/24 | 30 | 21 | 2 |
2022/23 | 22 | 10 | 2 |
As for what he can bring to Liverpool, well, the possibilities are endless.
The Reds practically walked the league in the most recent campaign, finishing 10 points ahead of second placed Arsenal, despite Slot opting against a recognised striker for the vast majority of the term.
Adding Isak, who has only been outscored by Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah in the last three league seasons, would elevate the Reds’ ceiling significantly, and the Premier League would be theirs to lose for a number of campaigns.
Reports suggest that part of the reason that the Swedish forward is pushing for a move to Liverpool is because he doesn’t want to just play in the UEFA Champions League, as Newcastle will in the upcoming season, he wants to win it.
If that isn’t enough proof that what Liverpool are building could guarantee success for years to come, then I don’t know what is.
