Liverpool manager Arne Slot has expressed confidence that the club’s summer signings will hit top form in the second half of the 2025–26 English Premier League season.
Despite spending over £400 million in the summer, the club endured a turbulent spell between September and November, when they lost nine of the 13 matches they played.
Only Hugo Ekitike hit the ground running as Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak struggled for form and consistency in the early days of their career at Anfield, while Jeremie Frimpong battled with different injury worries.
Young defender Giovanni Leoni suffered an ACL injury on his debut as the new players struggled to adapt to the increasing pressures at the club.
“That’s not only for the new players. If you bring in a lot of new players and a lot of players leave, usually at least if I do my job well, they will play better football the longer they are here and when they have more training time and playing time”, Slot said in an interview.
“You saw this last season because that team was here the year before all the same with Jürgen [Klopp]. In the first half of last season we played very good football. That is helpful.”
The return to form of these arrivals have also coincided with an improvement in results for Liverpool, who are now unbeaten in their last six matches in all competitions.
Wirtz and Ekitike combined for a goal in their 2-1 win over Wolves in their previous outing and will be eyeing an improved display for the Reds in 2026.
“History has shown many times the longer players play together the bigger chance you have of winning something. If you add players to what you have, there is a serious chance of improving. If you replace, like we have done, then it takes time. And usually it gets better after a certain period of time”, Slot continued.
“Unfortunately Giovanni Leoni we won’t see him this season and Alex [Isak] will take a long time before we see him again. You can do the numbers of how much money that is, combined with how much we have sold, that is maybe an interesting story to make.”
Liverpool open their 2026 account with a New Year’s Day clash against Leeds United at Anfield.
Olakitan is a young writer with a strong passion for sports, having gained experience with IndyPress and Nimelssa Press. His enthusiasm for sports inspired him to cover events both within his school and beyond. With a deep understanding of the game and a refined skillset, he brings sports coverage to a broad, global audience in a way that’s engaging and accessible.
