Last summer Liverpool shattered its own record, splashing £415m on six newcomers – Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and Giovanni Leoni. The gamble followed a title‑winning campaign that required only Federico Chiesa. Yet the Reds fell 24 points from the previous season, endured a relegation‑battle finish and entered the final match without any of the new signings in the starting XI.

BBC Sport graded each arrival. Alexander Isak arrived for a record £125m but managed three goals in 14 league games, hampered by a fractured ankle and limited minutes. Hugo Ekitike delivered 17 goals and six assists before a ruptured Achilles ended his season. Wirtz added seven goals, eight assists; Kerkez became first‑choice left‑back; Frimpong failed to impress; Leoni debuted briefly before ACL surgery.

The uneven returns underline why Liverpool slipped from champions to a late Champions League qualifier. With several signings still injured or out of form, manager Arne Slot faces a modest squad overhaul rather than a wholesale rebuild. Maximising Isak’s fitness and finding a settled role for Wirtz will dictate whether the £415m outlay translates into a realistic title challenge next season.