- Liverpool spent £446million on six new players last summer
- The spending has not paid off, with the Reds sitting fifth in the Premier League
- Stephane Richard of Marseille has namechecked Arne Slot’s side to make a point
Liverpool have become a topic of discussion in France for their summer transfer business after their loss against Paris Saint-Germain.
Slot and Co. are fresh off a 2-0 defeat against Paris Saint Germain in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday, 8 April.
The Merseyside-based club are hopeful of putting the disappointment of three consecutive losses behind them when they host Fulham at Anfield in the Premier League on Saturday, 11 April.
With the Reds almost out of the Champions League, it is imperative that they rack up points in the league and ensure a top-five finish and qualify for the top European competition next season.
Failing to do so will prove to be a massive blow for the Anfield outfit, who spent £446m on six new signings in the wake of their Premier League triumph last summer.
Marseille supremo Stephane Richard namechecks Liverpool
The six-time European champions’ season has been so bad that other clubs’ presidents are using them as an example to prove their points.
Marseille have appointed Stephane Richard as their new president, with the Frenchman now set to take over from Pablo Longoria in July.
Richard has already set his eyes on making the Ligue 1 side a fixture in the Champions League, while also emphasising the importance of the upcoming summer transfer window.
He has no qualms about Marseille’s limited resources, as he believes money is not essential for success in football.
The new Marseille supremo went on to point out how Liverpool have struggled this season, despite spending ‘colossal’ sums of money on new players.
Richard told a press conference (10 April): “The ambition is clear: to establish Marseille among the select group of European clubs that are destined to play in the Champions League every year, and therefore to finish in the top three in Ligue 1. After that, let’s not prejudge what will happen. The summer period is crucial, but I think it’s far too early to talk about that.
“But it’s not just a question of resources; we see – and I’m not going to make sporting comments – clubs that have invested colossal sums but have had disappointing results, notably Liverpool with over €480m spent last summer. Football isn’t just about money.”
Reds to have quieter summer this time
It was only after several years of yearning from Liverpool fans that the Fenway Sports Group splurged huge sums of money on new players last summer.
The owners have been sensible with their spending before 2025, and it is hard to see them spending similarly this year or beyond.
This is despite the fact that Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson will leave the club at the end of the season.
With Alisson and Virgil van Dijk’s contracts expiring next year, it is evident that the English giants are in a period of transition.
However, it would be unrealistic to expend FSG to break the bank again to replace each of them.
