Jürgen Klopp has expressed his surprise at Liverpool's significant spending spree in the recent transfer window, a stark contrast to his previous statements regarding the club's financial capabilities. The Reds' outlay of approximately £450 million on new players has not only exceeded all expectations but also shattered the club's previous spending records.
Klopp, who managed Liverpool to their first Premier League title in 30 years and a sixth Champions League victory, acknowledged the changed financial landscape at the club. "Nobody ever told me that it's possible that we can spend like that," Klopp admitted. He further explained, "My last year at Liverpool, we obviously (had) the Adidas deal, the new stadium, all these kind of things - they earn more money". However, he emphasized that he could never have requested such a substantial amount during his tenure, adding, "In that time it was not there, no problem at all".
Liverpool's summer spending saw them bring in several high-profile players. Florian Wirtz joined from Bayer Leverkusen for a staggering £116 million. Hugo Ekitike arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in a £79 million deal. Milos Kerkez was signed from Bournemouth for £40 million. Other notable acquisitions include Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. To balance the books, Liverpool sold several players, including Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid for £8 million and Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen for £34 million.
The significant investment comes after Liverpool's Premier League title win in Arne Slot's debut season. The club's financial performance has also seen a boost, with revenues expected to have exceeded £700 million for the 2024-25 season. This increase is attributed to Champions League participation and the Premier League title. In the 2023-24 financial year, Liverpool's commercial revenue rose to £308 million, although the club posted a pre-tax loss of £57 million due to the lack of Champions League football.
Despite the surprising level of spending, Klopp harbors no regrets about prioritizing infrastructure development during his time at the club. "I love the fact that we were as successful as we were and built new stands and built a training ground," he stated. He highlighted the importance of these developments, noting that "there's no discussion about the stands and no discussion about the training ground," which he considers "second to none".
The Reds' bolstered squad is now focused on defending their Premier League title in the 2025-26 season. However, challenges remain, particularly in central defense. With Virgil van Dijk's age and Ibrahima Konate's contract situation uncertain, Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing Borussia Dortmund defender Nico Schlotterbeck.
