Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool’s transfer activity this summer mirrors the aggressive recruitment of Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United at their peak.
The Reds won the Premier League last season with only Federico Chiesa arriving, yet Arne Slot has overseen a dramatic overhaul since taking charge. Liverpool sit top of the table after three matches and their squad now boasts some of Europe’s most coveted talent.
Jeremie Frimpong has added dynamism at right back while Milos Kerkez strengthens the left side. Florian Wirtz has injected flair into midfield and Hugo Ekitike has adapted quickly to English football. The headline move came this week with the capture of Alexander Isak from Newcastle for a British record £125 million, taking total summer spending beyond £400 million.
Carragher compared the window to Real Madrid under Florentino Perez and Barcelona in their pomp. Writing in The Telegraph, the former defender said Liverpool are now behaving like United under Ferguson, when the club could prise away the best players from domestic rivals. He praised the hierarchy for years of financial planning and argued that critics of past windows must now accept their judgment was wrong.
Yet Carragher warned that heavy fees bring added scrutiny. Wirtz and Isak in particular will be expected to justify their price tags immediately. “When you spend as much as Liverpool you must win,” he wrote.
Liverpool attempted to add Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on Deadline Day after agreeing a £35 million fee, but the deal collapsed when Palace failed to secure two replacements. That disappointment came only hours after Isak’s arrival was confirmed following a long pursuit.
The Sweden striker scored 54 goals in 86 league appearances for Newcastle and now becomes Liverpool’s new number nine. He signed a six year contract and eclipses Chelsea’s record purchase of Moises Caicedo, as well as Liverpool’s own £116 million outlay on Wirtz earlier this summer.
Isak described his move as the proudest moment of his career and promised to deliver goals. His debut could come at Burnley after the international break.