Is Florian Wirtz's decision to choose Liverpool over Bayern Munich counting against him in his German homeland? Paul Gorst assesses

Manchester City and the Premier League have reached a settlement in their dispute over the rules governing associated party transactions (APTs).

Under the settlement, City accept that the current rules governing APTS are “valid and binding”.

City had launched arbitration proceedings on January 20 against the current rules, which are designed to ensure that deals between clubs and entities linked to their ownership are done at fair market value.

City’s challenge was understood to have included criticism of the way the Premier League treated shareholder loans under the rules.

The league and City have agreed to make no further comment on the matter.

The APT rules were originally introduced in December 2021, following the Saudi-led takeover of Newcastle earlier that year.

Those rules were successfully challenged by City last year, with a tribunal finding them unlawful on multiple grounds, including the fact they excluded shareholder loans from fair market value assessments.

That led to the Premier League consulting with clubs on amendments to the rules, with 16 teams voting in favour of the amended rules at a meeting last November.

City’s acceptance the amended rules are valid and binding appears to put to bed an issue which had threatened to have a major impact on the league if the rules had been significantly weakened.

Without APT rules, entities linked to clubs’ owners could potentially overvalue sponsorships and other commercial transactions to boost a club’s revenue, putting that club in a stronger position under the league’s profitability and sustainability rules (PSR) and therefore given more leeway to spend on transfer fees and player wages.

An assessment of shareholder loans for fair market value was incorporated into the APT rules last November, but the rules do not apply retrospectively.

Instead, the fair market assessment only applies to ongoing and future loans. The rules also allowed a grace period for shareholders to convert such loans to equity.

Among other changes approved in November was the introduction of the right for clubs to access databank information – used by the Premier League board to make a fair market value assessment – at an earlier stage.

City and the Premier League still await the outcome of an independent commission hearing which was examining more than 100 charges against the club for alleged breaches of the league’s financial rules, charges City strenuously deny.

The hearing took place between September and December last year, after City were charged by the Premier League in February 2023.

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Salah legacy forces long-term thinking

On the Beyond The Kop Podcast, Lewis Aspinall began with a reminder of Mohamed Salah’s staggering contribution to Liverpool. “Mohamed Salah is one of the greatest players in Premier League history, breaking record after record, winning trophy after trophy during his time at Liverpool, racking up 405 appearances for the Reds, scoring 246 goals in the process, as well as racking up 111 assists.” His point was simple: Salah is irreplaceable in terms of legacy, but the clock is ticking.

Photo @LFC on X

Aspinall explained that Salah’s two-year extension “does buy us extra time to look at who will replace that right-wing mantle when Mohamed Salah eventually departs Liverpool.” That search has narrowed onto one name: Michael Olise.

Why Olise stands out

Aspinall highlighted why the Bayern Munich winger is seen as the heir apparent. “Michael Olise has established himself as one of the best attacking wingers in Europe, racking up 24 goals and 23 assists in 59 appearances for the Bavarian title winning side.” Liverpool’s need for a successor is not about a stop-gap, but about long-term continuity.

Photo IMAGO

His style also contrasts sharply with Salah. Aspinall noted, “Michael is just as important in chance creation and buildup phase of attack as he is in the final product in front of goal.” He also pointed out that Olise attempts “5.82 take-ons per match with a success rate of 47.7%,” numbers that outstrip Salah’s peak dribbling seasons.

Olise’s pressing game is another factor. “He registered 15 high regains by December of 2024… having someone who can put this pressure on defenders and win the ball back high up the pitch with the amount of attacking players we’ve got would help us to no end.”

Tactical fit under Slot

Aspinall linked Olise’s attributes to Arne Slot’s Liverpool system. He described how Olise can “burst into space in the centre of the box with his penetrating carries, producing 4.28 per 90 minutes last campaign, which is in the top 1% of wingers in the Bundesliga.” For Slot’s preference of wide players who can cut back for central runners, this is a near-perfect profile.

Photo IMAGO

There was also an illustration of his Champions League pedigree. “This passage of play demonstrates Olise’s 1v1 talent on the ball and crucially his talent and ability to create chances for himself against the settled back line… the time between him picking up the ball in the centre of the pitch and scoring the goal is 5 seconds.”

Liverpool’s decision ahead

Financially, a deal will not be simple. Aspinall warned that “any deal with Bayern would be difficult to do given the fact that they have to meet that £70 million mark.” Yet he stressed that Liverpool “were proactive, not reactive, and we’ve shown that we’ve got money to work with.”

The conclusion of the podcast was emphatic: “Michael Olise, 23 years old, title winning experience at Bayern Munich, one of the best attackers in Europe last season, brilliant during his spell at Crystal Palace, would be the ideal replacement. If Bayern looking to sell, Liverpool need to be there or thereabouts.”

Salah’s era is still ongoing, but Beyond The Kop’s analysis makes clear that Liverpool cannot afford to hesitate. Olise may be the most convincing successor yet discussed.

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Federico Chiesa has been linked with a move to Besiktas before Turkish football's September 12 deadline

Federico Chiesa has been linked with a move to Besiktas before Turkish football's September 12 deadline

Summer spending reshaped squad

Liverpool’s summer transfer business, totalling £440m in incomings with a net spend of around £220m, demonstrated both ambition and financial control. The British transfer record for a single player was broken twice, and yet the club’s executives ensured that high-value departures offset the outlay. As reported by The Times, it was a window that addressed numerous areas of the squad and laid the foundation for the coming years.

Photo: IMAGO

One area, however, was left short of a resolution. The collapse of Marc Guehi’s proposed move from Crystal Palace, despite the completion of a medical, was one of the few blemishes. “Liverpool would only now sign the Crystal Palace centre-back on a free transfer next summer,” wrote Paul Joyce, emphasising the clarity of the club’s plan.

Guehi pursuit postponed

Speculation quickly grew that Liverpool might return with a reduced offer in January, particularly as Guehi moves closer to the end of his current contract. That scenario has now been dismissed. Instead, the strategy is to wait until the summer of 2026, when a pre-contract agreement can be secured.

The decision is financially logical. A free transfer avoids further significant expenditure in what has already been a record-breaking period. Yet it comes with risk. Real Madrid and other major European clubs are expected to explore Guehi’s availability. “Allowing the player to go on a free and trusting that he will remain loyal and still choose Liverpool 12 months later is a particularly bold strategy,” Joyce noted.

Photo: IMAGO Balancing squad for the season

Arne Slot must now proceed with the centre-back options at his disposal. Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni form the quartet available for the campaign ahead. While depth may appear thin, Liverpool’s medical department has proven adept at managing workloads. Rotations will be required, particularly in a season where domestic and European fixtures accumulate.

Photo IMAGO

The failure to add Guehi highlights the fine margins of transfer strategy. Liverpool strengthened extensively in other areas, but central defence remains a position that could face scrutiny should injuries arise. For now, the trust is in existing resources and a carefully calibrated plan to add when the conditions suit.

Long-term vision of FSG

This decision also reflects FSG’s broader philosophy. Spending is significant, but always balanced. Investments in infrastructure, recruitment staff and youth pathways underpin the approach. Pursuing Guehi only on a free is consistent with that philosophy. It reduces exposure to inflated mid-season valuations and maintains fiscal discipline, even after a summer of major investment.

Patience, in this case, is the gamble. If Guehi does choose Liverpool in 2026, the club secures a homegrown defender in his prime without paying a transfer fee. If not, it will be remembered as an opportunity missed. For now, the calculation is that Liverpool’s plan is the most sustainable path forward.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

FSG and Richard Hughes are showing patience and confidence in their model. Waiting for Marc Guehi on a free demonstrates the kind of restraint that has served the club well in the past.

Yet, for fans, the anxiety lies in the here and now. This season promises to be intense, with challenges on multiple fronts, and one more quality centre-back could have provided greater security. Supporters remember too well the injury crisis of 2021, when Liverpool’s title defence crumbled under the weight of absences in defence. The fear of history repeating itself lingers.

The optimism comes from faith in Arne Slot’s ability to rotate wisely and in the medical team’s capacity to manage workloads. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are among the best centre-backs in the division, and Joe Gomez has shown versatility when needed. Young Giovanni Leoni’s inclusion also points to a willingness to trust emerging talent.

The frustration, however, is the knowledge that Guehi was so close. A completed medical usually means a deal is inevitable, but football negotiations are rarely straightforward. The hope is that the player’s admiration for Liverpool will keep the move alive, even amid interest from Real Madrid and others.

From a supporter’s standpoint, the faith in long-term planning is admirable, but the short-term gamble could be costly. Fans will back the team and trust the process, but they will also look nervously at every defensive lapse, wondering if Guehi could have made the difference this season.

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All the latest Liverpool FC transfer news as the Premier League champions consider their options at centre-back

All the latest Liverpool FC transfer news as the Premier League champions consider their options at centre-back

Shifting relationship with ownership

Liverpool’s connection with Fenway Sports Group has been complicated since the American group took control in 2010. For much of their tenure, suspicion and scepticism lingered. Ticketing rows, cautious spending and, most controversially, the attempt to join the European Super League, created tension. Yet over the last five years, the dynamic has altered. The infrastructure projects, the strategic appointments and the continued competitiveness on the pitch have reshaped perceptions.

“FSG aren’t planning on selling anytime soon and if we’re honest, we wouldn’t want it any other way.” That sentiment, once unthinkable among sections of the fanbase, increasingly resonates.

Building foundations for stability

The evidence is visible across the club’s landscape. Anfield has been carefully redeveloped, with stands expanded to push capacity towards 60,000, while retaining the historic essence of the ground. The AXA Training Centre represents elite planning, integrating everything from cutting-edge rehabilitation to expansive outdoor pitches. Melwood, reallocated for the women’s side, has received new investment, while the Academy is set for a £20m renovation to further refine talent pathways.

Photo: IMAGO

The list of honours since FSG’s arrival demonstrates consistent return: Premier League titles, a Champions League crown, domestic cups, international trophies. Under both Jurgen Klopp and Arne Slot, Liverpool have maintained their position at the top table. Crucially, this has been achieved without reckless spending. Net spend has remained modest compared with rivals. Michael Edwards’ recruitment framework produced targeted acquisitions that delivered success without destabilising finances.

Comparing models across rivals

Criticism of FSG has often been framed in the context of the Premier League’s wider ownership models. Manchester City’s dominance sits alongside ongoing investigations into alleged breaches of financial rules. Tottenham continue to reshape following Daniel Levy’s reduced influence. Arsenal’s ownership has invested but faces questions over underwhelming sales and recruitment inefficiencies. Chelsea’s ClearLake consortium has spent more than £1.5bn since arriving, but a coherent footballing plan is still hard to define. Manchester United remain in turmoil, split between the Glazers and Jim Ratcliffe’s INEOS, a structure marred by financial and sporting disarray.

Within this landscape, Liverpool’s steadiness under FSG appears increasingly rare. Mistakes have been made, but the balance of prudence and progress is evident. The club are competitive without breaching limits, ambitious without financial recklessness.

Preparing for the next phase

The focus now turns to how Liverpool use this stability. With Arne Slot delivering immediate results in his first season, the squad featuring a core of young talent, and long-term investments in facilities secured, FSG’s plan points towards sustained control at the top level. The concern when Klopp departed was whether Liverpool could maintain their upward trajectory. Early signs suggest that foundations laid by FSG may allow for a dynasty rather than a short-lived cycle.

Photo: @LFC on X

“The manager has delivered success in the first 12 months of his tenure, he’s been backed like no other Red regime has been before and the squad is littered with young talented players delivering performances that are at an extremely competitive level with the best teams in the world.”

That assessment captures the optimism. Liverpool are in a strong position, not simply for the present, but for a future shaped by strategic decisions rather than short-term fixes.

Of course, football changes quickly. Form fluctuates, rivals regroup and unexpected challenges emerge. Yet as it stands, Liverpool’s ownership model appears among the most coherent in the Premier League. If the trajectory holds, FSG’s plan could underpin a period of genuine dominance, not just fleeting success.

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All the latest Liverpool FC news as Arne Slot hopes to get a look at Alexander Isak in action for the first time this season

All the latest Liverpool FC news as Arne Slot hopes to get a look at Alexander Isak in action for the first time this season

Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas made a loan move to Italian side Roma during the transfer window

Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas made a loan move to Italian side Roma during the transfer window

Liverpool players were involved in a dramatic day in action for their respective international teams

Liverpool players were involved in a dramatic day in action for their respective international teams

Isak fitness latest as Liverpool debut draws near Sweden provide update on new signing Liverpool supporters eager to see Alexander Isak in red will have to be patient. The striker, who sealed a £125m British-record transfer from Newcastle on Deadline Day, has yet to reach full fitness. Sweden offered an update as he joined their […]

The post Alexander Isak Nears Liverpool Debut as Fitness Situation Clarified appeared first on anfieldindex.com.

Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip as the Reds are handed an update about the future of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi

Latest Liverpool transfer news and gossip as the Reds are handed an update about the future of Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi

LFC Globe https://www.lfcglobe.co.uk/ Liverpool FC News Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:27:16 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/cropped-LFC_globe_symbol_red-32x32.png LFC Globe https://www.lfcglobe.co.uk/ 32 32 Newcastle vs Liverpool - Ngumoha's Heroics Seals 3 points For Reds https://lfcglobe.co.uk/newcastle-vs-liverpool-ngumohas-heroics-seals-3-points-for-reds/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/newcastle-vs-liverpool-ngumohas-heroics-seals-3-points-for-reds/#disqus_thread Tue, 26 Aug 2025 15:27:14 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105753 Rio Ngumoha scored in the 100th minute as Liverpool once again garnered a dramatic game-winner, this time 3-2 over Newcastle at St. James Park. Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitiké gave the Reds a 2-0 lead, but a 10-man Newcastle side drew level at 2-2 in the 88th minute, setting up Ngumha's heroics. First Half Newcastle […]

This article (Newcastle vs Liverpool - Ngumoha's Heroics Seals 3 points For Reds) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.

]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/newcastle-vs-liverpool-ngumohas-heroics-seals-3-points-for-reds/feed/ 0 Newcastle vs Liverpool - Liverpool Face Tough Newcastle Side Amid Isak Drama https://lfcglobe.co.uk/newcastle-vs-liverpool-liverpool-face-tough-newcastle-side-amid-isak-drama/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/newcastle-vs-liverpool-liverpool-face-tough-newcastle-side-amid-isak-drama/#disqus_thread Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:07:08 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105746 Liverpool will make their first road trip of the season as they travel to St. James' Park to face Newcastle United. It could be a surreal match as Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has been heavily linked to the Reds in transfer rumours, as his relationship with his current club has soured. Noteworthy Start for Newcastle […]

This article (Newcastle vs Liverpool - Liverpool Face Tough Newcastle Side Amid Isak Drama) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.

]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/newcastle-vs-liverpool-liverpool-face-tough-newcastle-side-amid-isak-drama/feed/ 0 Salah Wins PFA Player Of The Year https://lfcglobe.co.uk/salah-wins-pfa-player-of-the-year/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/salah-wins-pfa-player-of-the-year/#disqus_thread Thu, 21 Aug 2025 13:04:34 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105740 Mohamed Salah has been awarded the Professional Footballers Association Player Of The Year for the 2024-25 season. Salah beat out fellow Liverpool teammate Alexis Mac Allister and four other players to win the award for the third time in his career (2018 and 2022). Salah was indeed a worthy recipient as he produced 34 goals […]

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]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/salah-wins-pfa-player-of-the-year/feed/ 0 Liverpool vs Bournemouth - Report - Chiesa, Salah Rescue 3 Points For Reds https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-bournemouth-report-chiesa-salah-rescue-3-points-for-reds/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-bournemouth-report-chiesa-salah-rescue-3-points-for-reds/#disqus_thread Sat, 16 Aug 2025 00:55:33 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105737 Liverpool looked nervous in defence at times, particularly in the second half, but late goals from Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah broke a tie and beat Bournemouth 4-2 in the opening weekend of Premier League play at Anfield. First Half Hugo Ekitiké forced a save in the 3rd minute, and Mohamed Salah did the same […]

This article (Liverpool vs Bournemouth - Report - Chiesa, Salah Rescue 3 Points For Reds) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.

]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-bournemouth-report-chiesa-salah-rescue-3-points-for-reds/feed/ 0 Liverpool vs Bournemouth - Preview - Liverpool Ready For Bournemouth To Open Season https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-bournemouth-preview-liverpool-ready-for-bournemouth-to-open-season/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-bournemouth-preview-liverpool-ready-for-bournemouth-to-open-season/#disqus_thread Fri, 15 Aug 2025 18:14:47 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105731 Here we go. It's the start of another EPL season. Liverpool will host Bournemouth today, on August 15th. After playing the last four season-openers away from Anfield. Expect the stands to be packed as supporters will want to see newcomers like Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, and Giovanni Leoni take the training wheels off and go […]

This article (Liverpool vs Bournemouth - Preview - Liverpool Ready For Bournemouth To Open Season) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.

]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-bournemouth-preview-liverpool-ready-for-bournemouth-to-open-season/feed/ 0 Liverpool vs Crystal Palace - Liverpool Lose Community Shield In PK's https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-crystal-palace-liverpool-lose-community-shield-in-pks/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-crystal-palace-liverpool-lose-community-shield-in-pks/#disqus_thread Sun, 10 Aug 2025 20:22:53 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105722 Liverpool got off to a fast start in the Community Shield as Hugo Ekitike scored inside of five minutes, but they could not hold the lead on two separate occasions as Crystal Palace equalised twice to tie the match at 2-2 and take the trophy on penalties 3-2. First Half It did not take long […]

This article (Liverpool vs Crystal Palace - Liverpool Lose Community Shield In PK's) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.

]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-crystal-palace-liverpool-lose-community-shield-in-pks/feed/ 0 Let's Play Two: Liverpool Host Athletic Club to Close Out Preseason https://lfcglobe.co.uk/lets-play-two-liverpool-host-athletic-club-to-close-out-preseason/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/lets-play-two-liverpool-host-athletic-club-to-close-out-preseason/#disqus_thread Mon, 04 Aug 2025 14:46:02 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105719 Liverpool closes out their preseason with a pair of matches vs. Athletic Club on Monday, August 4th at Anfield.  It will be split squad friendlies, meaning that Arne Slot will name two different Starting XI's and benches, one for each game. Going Clubbing  Athletic Club, also known as Bilbao, is one of the most successful […]

This article (Let's Play Two: Liverpool Host Athletic Club to Close Out Preseason) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.

]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/lets-play-two-liverpool-host-athletic-club-to-close-out-preseason/feed/ 0 A Tribute To Diogo Jota, My Brother In Christ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/a-tribute-to-diogo-jota-my-brother-in-christ/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/a-tribute-to-diogo-jota-my-brother-in-christ/#disqus_thread Sun, 27 Jul 2025 12:03:48 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105714 Tributes have poured in over the last few days after the tragic death of Diogo Jota in a car accident. As a supporter who lives across the pond in America who has mostly seen the team from afar, I feel inadequate to do the same, but I will try. As a sportswriter, it's easy to […]

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]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/a-tribute-to-diogo-jota-my-brother-in-christ/feed/ 0 Liverpool vs AC Milan - Liverpool Fall 4-2 in Club Friendly https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-ac-milan-liverpool-fall-4-2-in-club-friendly/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-ac-milan-liverpool-fall-4-2-in-club-friendly/#disqus_thread Sun, 27 Jul 2025 11:50:02 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105711 Dominik Szoboszlai scored in the first half, and Cody Gakpo bookended Liverpool's performance with a header deep in second-half stoppage time. Still, the Reds surrendered four goals, mostly on AC Milan counterattacks, falling 4-2 in Hong Kong. First Half Liverpool looked the more dangerous side in the first 10 minutes, but AC Milan struck first. […]

This article (Liverpool vs AC Milan - Liverpool Fall 4-2 in Club Friendly) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.

]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/liverpool-vs-ac-milan-liverpool-fall-4-2-in-club-friendly/feed/ 0 Reds Kick off Asian Tour With Match Vs. AC Milan https://lfcglobe.co.uk/reds-kick-off-asian-tour-with-match-vs-ac-milan/ https://lfcglobe.co.uk/reds-kick-off-asian-tour-with-match-vs-ac-milan/#disqus_thread Sat, 26 Jul 2025 09:20:50 +0000 https://lfcglobe.co.uk/?p=105707 Liverpool begin their 2025 Asian Tour by travelling to Hong Kong to face fellow World Football power AC Milan. The defending EPL Champions are already 2-0 in the pre-season after defeating Stoke City 5-0 in a closed scrimmage and Preston North End 3-1 at Deepdale. New Faces The Liverpool roster makeover continues as the Reds […]

This article (Reds Kick off Asian Tour With Match Vs. AC Milan) was originally published on LFC Globe. Follow us on Twitter for all the latest Liverpool FC news.

]]> https://lfcglobe.co.uk/reds-kick-off-asian-tour-with-match-vs-ac-milan/feed/ 0

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Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike has insisted that he welcomes the signing of Alexander Isak at Anfield just a few weeks after the Frenchman arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt.

Ekitike could cost up to $106 million including add-ons and he was one of a number of new additions in the summer transfer window when Arne Slot's side went big in the market. Isak came in from Newcastle United on deadline day for a fee of around $169 million after a long drawn out saga.

While both players favor the central striking berth and Liverpool also has Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah to fit into the team with Florian Wirtz as a number 10 in behind, Ekitike is not worried. There will be more than enough minutes for everyone.

"When you play for the best teams, you inevitably expect to be competing with the best players," Ekitike said while on international duty with France, via the Evening Standard.

"Isak is a player I used to watch, so seeing him arrive is a pleasure. It's going to be tough competition, but I'm going to work hard to be good and perform well so that it's just the coach's problem."

Liverpool sold Luis Diaz to Bayern Munich this summer and then let Darwin Nunez join Al Hilal in Saudi Arabia. It also tragically lost Diogo Jota.

Liverpool forward Hugo Ekitike (Image: FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

So while spending big on two number nines perhaps looked like something that was a luxury rather than a necessity, Slot could not leave himself short of attacking firepower.

Last season, he had six senior forwards to choose from and always had a way of changing the game from the bench. This season, the arrival of Isak has ensured that remains the case.

After Isak came in, Harvey Elliott was allowed to leave to join Aston Villa. Federico Chiesa ended up staying put after a tricky debut campaign, while Rio Ngumoha, now 17, has emerged as a serious option after a breakout summer.

"I think that was the right moment," Ekitike said when he was confirmed as a Liverpool player. "I came to the Bundesliga hungry, I wanted to show that I’m a good player and I can make the difference on the pitch.

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"I think I did well last season. Now, I feel ready to make a bigger step and to play on the highest level, to improve myself, to see what I can do. That’s why I think it’s the right timing for me and the perfect moment to come here.

"I feel very proud. Obviously it’s a big, big club. I’m just excited, I’m a bit like a kid. I’ve been dreaming to come and play in the Premier League. And to play for Liverpool is a big, big good feeling for me. I just can’t wait to start to play games and to win trophies."

Liverpool.com says: Ekitike can play wide and Isak won't play every minute. Had Liverpool not managed to get Isak over the line, it would have been worryingly short; as it is, it looks like the Reds have a good balance in that department, with plenty of goals and quality.

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