Liverpool boss Arne Slot criticised over transfer mistake despite spending £450million in summer

Callum Vurley
Fri, 17 Apr 2026 11:41:42 +0000

Liverpool got their recruitment completely wrong in the summer despite splashing out nearly half a billion in cash.

That is the verdict from former Reds star Dominic Matteo, who believes his old club have neglected their midfield for too long.

Arne Slot has come under immense pressure this season with Liverpool struggling throughout the campaign.

After being knocked out of the Champions League with ease by Paris Saint-Germain and being thrashed by Manchester City in the FA Cup, the Reds will end the season without a trophy.

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It is quite the fallout after being tipped by many to retain the Premier League title after spending £450million on players including Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.

But Liverpool find themselves fifth in the Premier League - and arguably none of their signings have been effective.

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Now with the summer fast approaching and many players already eyeing the exit door, Liverpool might find themselves in need of another big summer splurge just to keep up.

Defenders and attackers are on their wish list with Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah leaving, while centre-back Ibrahima Konate is out of contract.

But ex-Liverpool star Matteo has insisted that his old club must sign some midfielders to replace the physicality lost under Jurgen Klopp.

Speaking to GB News via BetSelect.co.uk, Matteo said: "Liverpool need more physicality in midfield.

"I watched so many Liverpool games when they had Jordan Henderson and Milner, who were the core of the team. When you’re winning the Champions League and competing for the Premier League every year, we had three midfield players who didn't go too far.

"At the moment we're not winning our personal battles in midfield. So, for me, that's an issue.

"If you're defending brilliantly in the midfield area, you don't have to worry about that because the goals are coming in from the wide areas, like from [Sadio] Mane and Salah in that era.

"But we're trying to compare players like [Georginio] Wijnaldum, who were so solid and so committed to the defensive side of it.

"But in football now, players are a bit more forward-thinking. I'd like Liverpool to have players who can do a bit of everything, and I thought [Alexis] Mac Allister was that player for a while. Hopefully, he can get back to where he was."

Liverpool boss Slot has already admitted that they will need to sell players this summer to finance any big moves, with the likes of Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister and Joe Gomez potentially leaving.

"Much has been said that the club is in a transition. The club has sold eight to 10 players to make money to sign five or so very talented players. We have to sell to buy," Slot told Amazon Prime.