Liverpool Completes £300M Summer Spending, Slot Rejects Title Odds Linked to Outlay

Liverpool, fresh off their Premier League title win, have made significant summer investments, spending close to £300 million on players like Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, while also offloading key starters including Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez. Manager Arne Slot has dismissed claims that their status as title favorites is solely due to their transfer spending, emphasizing that success is built on team performance and maintaining a winning mentality rather than financial outlay. Despite Liverpool's large gross spending, their net spend is relatively moderate compared to rivals such as Arsenal and Manchester City, who have also made substantial market moves. Slot highlighted the challenge of replacing four regular starters who left or are on the verge of leaving, noting that Liverpool operates differently from other Premier League clubs by balancing significant sales alongside purchases. This balanced approach reflects Liverpool's strategy amid the Premier League's ongoing financial arms race, with Slot asserting that being favorites is natural following a championship season, regardless of spending levels. Overall, Liverpool’s transfer activity is seen as a necessary response to squad changes rather than an abandonment of the club’s traditional transfer principles.