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Ekitike A, Isak F: Rating every Liverpool signing this season

28 May 2026 19:31 BST | 5 min read

Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Liverpool

Cameron Smith

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

Liverpool went into the 2025 summer transfer window as Premier League champions and the Reds hierarchy decided to back head coach Arne Slot with an enormous spending spree of over €480 million.

They broke the Premier League transfer record twice - on Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak - while several other big-money deals were finalised as the Anfield outfit looked to defend their crown. However, a disappointing fifth-place finish was the result, rather than a second consecutive title.

Below, FootballTransfers rates every Liverpool summer signing on their debut season at the club.

Alexander Isak - F (€145m from Newcastle)

Alexander Isak became the most expensive player in Premier League history when Liverpool finally signed him from Newcastle United for a whopping €145m on Transfer Deadline Day.

The Sweden international had bagged 23 league goals for Eddie Howe’s side in 2024-25 and he was widely considered to be the second-best marksman in the English top flight, behind only Erling Haaland.

However, he scored just four goals in 22 games during his debut campaign at Anfield and while his season was severely impacted by a broken leg suffered against Tottenham Hotspur in December, he has still been a major flop as things stand.

Florian Wirtz - C (€125m from Bayer Leverkusen)

Florian Wirtz was one of the most exciting players in world football at Bayer Leverkusen and it was seen as a real coup when Liverpool beat Manchester City and Real Madrid to his signature last summer.

However, the Germany superstar has endured a difficult start to life at Anfield and he failed to light up the Premier League as many had expected.

With only 15 goal contributions in 49 games across all competitions, Wirtz hasn’t quite settled at Liverpool, despite a number of eye-catching performances throughout the campaign.

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool

Hugo Ekitike - A (€95m from Eintracht Frankfurt)

When Isak finally arrived at Liverpool, it was assumed that Hugo Ektike’s promising start to life in a Liverpool shirt may end prematurely, but the France striker didn’t allow such a scenario to happen.

Having impressed at Eintracht Frankfurt last term, Ekitike continued his fine goalscoring form following his move to Anfield and he ended his debut campaign at the club with 17 goals and six assists in 45 games in all competitions.

His season was cruelly ended by an Achilles injury he suffered against former club Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, but Ekitike’s first year at Liverpool was a resounding success.

Milos Kerkez - C (€46.9m from Bournemouth)

Milos Kerkez was arguably the best left-back in the Premier League last season and his form for Bournemouth earned him a €46.9m move to Liverpool in July..

The Hungary defender has been Slot’s preferred option on the left side of defence, but Kerkez hasn’t quite displayed his true potential at Anfield and he shared minutes fairly regularly with Andrew Robertson during his debut campaign.

More was expected from the 22-year-old and he will need to step up next season following Robertson’s exit upon the expiration of his contract.

Milos Kerkez, Liverpool

Jeremie Frimpong - E (€40m from Bayer Leverkusen)

Jeremie Frimpong excelled in a right wing-back role at Bayer Leverkusen and Liverpool took a major risk by primarily signing him to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who joined Real Madrid last June.

The Netherlands international has never been a particularly good defender and he struggled to nail down a starting berth at right-back or as a right winger throughout his debut campaign at Anfield.

Injuries played a role, but Frimpong arrived as one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe and he ended his first season at Liverpool with only two goals and one assist.

Giovanni Leoni - N/A (€29.5m from Parma)

Liverpool spent big on 18-year-old Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni last summer, but he unfortunately suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury on his debut for the club and hasn’t played since.

Freddie Woodman - B (Free from Preston)

Freddie Woodman was signed on a Bosman deal from Preston North End to become Liverpool’s third-choice goalkeeper, however Slot was forced to use him in three Premier League matches in late April and early May due to injuries to Alisson and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

Woodman performed fairly well and is expected to be the third-choice option again next year.