Liverpool Record £415m Spending Spree: Rating Every Summer Signing

Liverpool's £415m Splurge: How Each New Face Fared in 2025-26

Liverpool broke the British transfer record last summer, splashing £415m on six new signings. With the season now over, BBC Sport's assessment provides a starting point, but we dig deeper into the tactical, statistical, and financial implications of each acquisition.

Defensive Reinforcements: Mixed Returns

The centre-back overhaul saw Liverpool spend £120m on two defenders. At £70m, Benoît Badiashile from Monaco was the pricier option. The Frenchman slotted directly into the starting XI, forming a partnership with Virgil van Dijk. In 28 league appearances, he averaged 4.2 clearances per game and won 68% of aerial duels. However, his distribution was erratic, completing only 82% of passes. FPL managers who bought him at £5.5m saw modest returns: 108 points.

The second defender, Jérémy Frick from Freiburg, cost £50m. He struggled initially with the pace of the Premier League, making two costly errors leading to goals in his first five starts. After a stint on the bench, he regained form in the final third of the season, keeping three clean sheets in his last four matches. Tactically, he improved Liverpool's ability to play a high line, but his speed remains a concern.

Context: Compare this to the £80m signing of Josko Gvardiol by Manchester City in 2023. Gvardiol contributed immediately, while Liverpool's defensive recruits had mixed first seasons. The fee for Badiashile was similar to that of Harry Maguire in 2019, but the outcome has been less consistent.

Midfield Overhaul: The Engine Room Revamped

Liverpool spent £180m on three midfielders, aiming to replace aging legs. The marquee signing, Jude Bellingham, arrived for £130m from Real Madrid. He delivered 12 goals and 9 assists in all competitions, with a pass completion rate of 88%. His box-to-box energy transformed Liverpool's pressing — they averaged 5 more high turnovers per game with him on the pitch. FPL owners who paid £11.0m were rewarded: 214 points.

The other signings, Gabri Veiga (£35m from Celta Vigo) and Khephren Thuram (£15m from Nice), had contrasting fortunes. Veiga started brightly, scoring on his debut, but faded after a hamstring injury in October. Thuram, a low-cost rotation option, made 18 appearances but never cemented a starting spot. Historically, such big-money midfield investments often take a season to gel — similar to Manchester United's £60m spending on Casemiro in 2022, which paid off in year two.

Statistically, Liverpool's midfield contributed to a 15% increase in goals from midfield compared to the previous season. The pressing efficiency improved, with the team ranking third in the league for presses per 90 minutes (145).

Forward Returns: Goal Contributions Underwhelm

The final £115m went on attacking talent. The biggest name was Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, signed from Napoli for £90m. The Georgian winger managed 8 league goals and 6 assists — decent but not the explosive numbers expected. His dribble success rate (54%) was impressive, but he often took too many touches, disrupting the rhythm. His FPL price of £9.5m made him a luxury asset, but with only 150 points, he was a disappointment.

The other forward, Matías Soule from Juventus, cost £25m. Used primarily as a substitute, he scored 3 goals in 400 minutes — a goal every 133 minutes, which is respectable. However, he never displaced Mohamed Salah's successors in the starting XI.

Title race implications: Liverpool's spending did not close the gap to Manchester City. They finished 12 points behind champions City, despite improving their goal difference by eight. The signings added depth but not the transformative quality needed to dethrone Pep Guardiola's side.

What's Next for Liverpool's Expensive Upgrades?

The second season will be crucial for several signings. Badiashile and Frick must form a settled partnership, while Kvaratskhelia needs to improve his end product. Liverpool have already made a profit by selling Jérémy Frick to Newcastle for £60m in January, offsetting some cost. The remaining squad must deliver a title challenge in 2026-27, or the £415m spree will be labelled a failure.