Liverpool boss Arne Slot has launched a passionate defence of the club’s record-breaking summer spending after critics questioned the Reds’ £450million transfer splurge, as his side prepare to host Atletico Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League tonight.
The Premier League champions were the biggest movers in the market, signing eight players, including two club-record deals — £110m for Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and £125m for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
The Dutch manager believes the heavy investment was essential to refresh his squad and keep Liverpool at Europe’s top table.
Speaking ahead of tonight Champions League clash with Atletico, Slot dismissed suggestions that Liverpool had overspent and aimed a dig at pundits whom he claims are biased toward rival clubs.
Arne Slot has defended Liverpool's decision to spend big on Alexander Isak ahead of tonight's Champions League tie with Atletico Madrid
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“There is so much focus on our new signings, especially from pundits that favour some other clubs in the country that cannot stop talking about £450m,” Slot said.
“I repeat, £450m, £450m! But they forget about the £300m that we have sold.
“Yes, if we want to strengthen the squad we need to spend that much money.
"If we sell Dominik Szoboszlai tomorrow, he would be worth £100m as well.
"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.
“We did great business; we brought in great players and have lowered the average age of the squad.
"Some other teams prefer to bring in 27-year-olds because they are ready, but we think we have brought in players who are 21, 22 and ready now.
"If they are still here in four or five years, we could sell someone like Luis Diaz for £65m — but it’s harder to do that when a player is 32.”
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Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz were sold by Liverpool for big fees during the summer transfer window
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Slot also highlighted that Liverpool’s spending power was built on success, not outside investment.
“All the money we have spent we generated ourselves by selling players and by winning the league after we didn’t buy anyone at all,” he added.
The Liverpool boss confirmed that Isak will be in the matchday squad for the clash with Atletico and hinted that fans could get their first glimpse of the club’s record signing under the lights at Anfield.
]“He is part of the squad, so it’s already a Champions League game to look forward to, but if people look forward to his playing time, that could mean that could happen tomorrow,” Slot revealed.
“The moment he is match fit, he can play 90 minutes, and then the next step is three games in a week at full intensity.
"Scoring goals and doing special things in attack is something he will 100 per cent do — the main challenge is reaching that level of fitness.”
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Liverpool host Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid in the Champions League tonight
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Liverpool have started their title defence in perfect fashion, winning all four of their Premier League games so far.
After their European opener, Slot’s men will turn their attention to Saturday’s Merseyside derby against Everton at Anfield.