Lavish spending with abandon goes against Liverpool’s principles as a football club – Jurgen Klopp must be wide-mouthed at this summer’s astonishing outlay – and socialist Liverpool as a city.
Supporters have always been more comfortable this way, incredulous at how Manchester City would buy their way to title after title, while Liverpool’s net spend always remained remarkably sensible for a club of their grandeur.
City, however, never spent close to £300m in one window. And it is not only the outlay that is so out of character around Anfield this time around – they have been willing to be aggressive in pursuit of their top talent, going toe-to-toe with rivals to steal Europe’s best from under their noses.
Desperate for a new No 9 to drag them from their slumber, The i Paper understands Manchester United tried to swoop in last minute for Hugo Ekitike.
We have reached an agreement for the transfer of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, subject to international clearance
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 23, 2025
The Eintracht Frankfurt hitman Arne Slot believes will be the piece de resistance after completing a stunning £79m deal on Wednesday was also United’s number one centre-forward choice.
Funds are limited at Old Trafford after their purchase of Bryan Mbeumo, with the focus now on shifting players out to free up cash to strengthen central attacking areas.
After it became clear Liverpool were making moves in the market once more, United looked to act themselves.
But given the differing trajectories both clubs are on, it is understood Ekitike told them he has no interest in moving to Old Trafford, even after head of scouting Christopher Vivell used his connections back in his native Germany and contacted Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krosche.
Given Newcastle seemed to be in pole position to snare Ekitike, having made their interest more public earlier this month, it does appear Liverpool hijacked this deal, but the reality is Newcastle came late to the party after missing out on Liam Delap and then Joao Pedro to Chelsea.
Newcastle supporters were getting all hot under the collar at the thought of Alexander Isak and Ekitike playing alongside each other, with the club adamant their Swedish talisman would be going nowhere, even if Ekitike came in.
Liverpool, however, had been in contact with Ekitike’s camp since January and Slot spoke with the player at the end of the season. They found out Newcastle were moving onto Ekitike and so were happy for them to speak to Frankfurt officially as they knew Eintracht wanted an auction and stayed away.
They then entered when the deal was nearly agreed and got the transfer over the line, still before any pre-season tour has got under way.
Liverpool took advantage of a similar situation with Luis Diaz, Porto and Tottenham seemed far along in their discussions over the Colombian in January 2022 and swooped in last minute to secure that deal.
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Liverpool did not hang around as they see him as a multi‑functional centre forward who primarily plays as a number nine but can also drop into a second striker role or operate out wide – versatility that is vital in Slot’s fluid front three.
Ekitike produced a standout 2024-25 season from a data perspective, albeit without a significant return in terms of goals. Data has long been at the forefront of Liverpool’s transfer policy – this is nothing new.
They expect the goal return to keep heading in an upwards direction, so were happy to overlook last season’s output.
They believe Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe are the only strikers under 23 who have shown better potential at a comparable age. Being able to leave their rivals floundering off the pitch, as well as on it, was just an additional bonus.
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