Liverpool manager Arne Slot has hit back at critics of the club’s record summer spending, with the new Arne Slot Szoboszlai price speculation of £100m designed to highlight the existing quality in his squad. The manager made the claim in response to pundits he alleges “favour” rival clubs.
The Reds invested heavily to the tune of £450 million in the recent transfer window, securing two new British record transfers for Florian Wirtz (£116m) and Alexander Isak (£125m). However, the club also recouped significant funds, up to £226 million, from the sale of players deemed surplus to requirements.
Slot, while acknowledging the large outlay, argued that the context of player sales is often overlooked by critics.
“There’s so much focus on our new signings and especially pundits who favour, not us, but some other clubs in the country that cannot stop talking about £450 million,” the Liverpool manager told reporters.
“I repeat £450 million, £450 million but always forget the £300 million that we’ve sold.”
He elaborated that to enhance a squad already filled with high-value players, a significant investment is necessary. “These players we’ve brought in are a lot of money but are playing now with players worth the same amount of money. If we want to strengthen the squad we have to spend that money. If we were to sell Dominik Szoboszlai tomorrow he’d be worth £100 million as well.”
Despite the record spend, Liverpool were reportedly never in danger of breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), thanks to factors like boosted commercial revenue and minimal spending in the previous summer window.
“I think it is only a compliment that people tell everyone we have spent so much because that tells you the players we brought in are seen as very good players,” Slot concluded.