Liverpool looks as though it means business this summer, with the Reds not wasting any time in making their Premier League title-winning side even stronger.
Arne Slot’s first season in charge couldn’t have gone much better, having led Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th title after being tipped to struggle by many high-profile pundits following Jurgen Klopp’s departure.
As good as the team that was left by the German was though, there were some clear areas that could be strengthened, and after a quiet first summer in the job, sporting director Richard Hughes is certainly keeping himself busier this time around.
Already, Jeremie Frimpong has been confirmed, with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s replacement instantly found, while his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz is on his way after what could be a record transfer was agreed.
Milos Kerkez looks a good bet to slot in at left-back, which was a real problem area for the Reds as Andy Robertson’s levels dipped, and all three signings look like they could be through the door before we even reach July.
It is certainly a change in approach from Liverpool, which has tended to leave things till later in the summer to get its business done, and the Reds have been a lot more careful with their money compared to their rivals.
It will be interesting to see what that means for their chances of defending their title next season, especially with Manchester City going big once again, but former Liverpool Women star Fara Williams sees it as a watershed moment for the Reds.
Arne Slot, Manger of Liverpool, celebrates with the Premier League trophy trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace
Liverpool is not wasting any time after winning the Premier League title (Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
“Signing Florian Wirtz for such a large fee I feel would mark a sea change for Liverpool,” Williams told BBC Sport.
“Fans would argue that they rarely invest big money into signings and even the Mohamed Salah contract situation came down to salary. It is stark if you think how long that and Virgil van Dijk's deal took to resolve - it was an issue of finances.
“With Trent Alexander-Arnold going, if they had lost all three, that would have been most of the spine of the team gone, so it is great that they are showing the ambition after winning the league to really kick on and establish themselves as a side to compete for the title year on year.
“After they they won the title five years ago, they did not really push on from that. They did not really show the ambition they probably should have in order to carry on winning or at least competing up there every year. It looks like there has been a shift in their approach to it.”
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Having won the title back in 2020, Liverpool would go on to sign three first-team players before getting their defense underway - Kostas Tsimikas, Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota.
Of the three, Thiago was perhaps seen as the most eye-catching addition, with midfield still seen as something of weak point for the Reds at the time, while Jota would go on to complement the club’s potent attack well - albeit while suffering from regular injury problems.
But it would be fair to say that Liverpool didn’t attack the market in the same manner that it’s going about things this time around, with Wirtz very much seen as a game-changer, having established himself as one of Europe’s biggest talents.
Liverpool fans therefore have a lot to look forward to next season as Slot and his team look to follow up on their title success, and potentially add even more silverware along the way.