There was a flurry of activity in the summer at Anfield with a series of incomings, and we look at who has fared well and who has struggled in the first half of the season
Liverpool made a splash in the transfer window this summer. Arne Slot and his backroom staff welcomed a host of players to Anfield, with as many as 10 joining the club’s ranks.
Overall, Slot has brought 11 players to Liverpool, totalling £424.5million. The Premier League title-winning coach has seen his new side underwhelm this season, however, with several high-profile signings struggling.
From Florian Wirtz to Alexander Isak, it seems everyone has an opinion. The majority of the players on board have only been at Liverpool for half a season, though, and it would be dangerous to write any of them off at this stage.
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The ECHO now runs the rule over all of Slot’s signings so far, rating just how they’ve adjusted to life at Anfield. Goalkeeper Armin Pecsi is yet to feature and so isn’t rated, while fellow shot stopper Freddie Woodman has played just once in the 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace and is therefore omitted too.
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 5/10
Mamardashvili finally joined the Reds this summer after initially signing from Valencia in the summer of 2024 for £25m. The 25-year-old found himself in between the sticks faster than he would’ve thought after Alisson Becker picked up an injury earlier this season.
However, Liverpool lost four of the five games he started in Alisson’s absence. Although he did save Erling Haaland’s penalty against Manchester City in a 3-0 defeat.
Mamardashvili also conceded 10 goals during that time. The towering Georgian has demonstrated a knack for shot stopping and does cut a big presence, but whether he can deputise for the Brazilian should he leave Anfield in the near future… the jury is still out.
Ngumoha River – 6/10
Joining on a free from Chelsea in the summer of 2024, Ngumoha arrived at Kirkby with much anticipation. His stunning late strike away to Newcastle earlier this season suggested Liverpool have a future superstar on their hands.
Since then, however, the 17-year-old has rarely been seen in the first team. In fact, Ngumoha has featured just four times since bamboozling the Magpies’ defence, and not played for the Reds at all since their humbling 3-0 home defeat to Nottingham Forest in early November. Game time will come, as will more of Ngumoha’s frightening talent.
Federico Chiesa – 5/10
The Euro 2020 winner is loved by fans for his infectious enthusiasm but doesn’t seem to share the same affection from Slot. The Italian has managed four goals and five assists in 31 appearances for the Reds since joining from Juventus for £10m in August 2024.
He has made a major impact off the bench this season against Bournemouth, in the Carabao Cup against Southampton, and he even scored an equaliser in Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace.
However, the 28-year-old has yet to usurp Mo Salah, even with the Egyptian being out of the team on occasion this season, or Cody Gakpo on the other flank, despite the Dutchman’s erratic form. And the vacancy created by Luis Diaz’s departure this summer remains unfilled.
With Slot unable to rely on Ngumoha and Chiesa, for differing reasons, it’s clear that the next issue to be addressed in the transfer market is out wide. That could be where Antoine Semenyo comes into the equation in January.
Jeremie Frimpong – 5/10
The Dutch full-back’s Liverpool career has been hampered with injury. Restricted to five appearances so far, the 25-year-old summer signing from Bayer Leverkusen cost the Reds £29.5m.
A troubling hamstring has prevented fans from seeing the flying full-back come into his own. While he bagged an assist in the Community Shield defeat to Palace, his output has been limited ever since. A lively cameo away to Spurs last weekend suggests there’s more to come.
Florian Wirtz – 7/10
Despite the question marks over where the German superstar fits into Slot’s system, there’s no denying his ability. Blistering performances against Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and away to Spurs have shown the Reds faithful that the £116m man from Leverkusen has what it takes to make it in the Premier League.
Wirtz’s physicality has been doubted, as has his ability to truly dictate a game from his favoured No. 10 position. However, after a tough start, he’s recorded two assists in his last four games and his first goal for Liverpool is surely around the corner.
Milos Kerkez – 5/10
Signed for £40m from Bournemouth, the rapid left-back has struggled when picked ahead of Andy Robertson this season. Often rash on the ball and eager to go to ground, there’s no doubt Liverpool’s creativity from deep has suffered at times when Kerkez has started.
Yet during Liverpool’s recent run, which has seen them go six games unbeaten, the Hungarian has begun to demonstrate what earned him a place in the Premier League’s team of the season last year. Still only 22 years old, the tough-tackling star has a lot to learn, but his potential is there to see.
Hugo Ekitike – 9/10
The crown jewel of Slot’s summer haul without a doubt. The 23-year-old joined from Frankfurt for £69m and was soon overshadowed by the arrival of Alexander Isak. Pressure? What pressure?
The French striker has stolen the limelight from the Swede with ease. Eleven goals so far, eight coming in the Premier League, have made Ekitike a firm fan-favourite with the Kop excited at just how much the towering forward can continue to develop this season.
Giovanni Leoni – 8/10
Leoni’s performance against Southampton in the Carabao Cup in September was a debut to remember, for the right and wrong reasons. The giant Italian was superb in the heart of Liverpool’s defence, offering a glimpse of a future where the 18-year-old could one day deputise for the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.
However, a devastating ACL injury late into the tie saw the youngster ruled out for the entire season. Regardless of his setback, the former Parma star is no doubt a future star for the Reds.
Alexander Isak – 5/10
The Swedish superstar has failed to get going at the Reds. Just two goals since joining on transfer deadline day for a record-breaking £125m tell the story of how the ex-Newcastle forward has struggled with his new surroundings.
Yes, his devastating injury blow against Tottenham Hotspur was a cruel twist of fate, especially happening immediately after scoring, which could’ve potentially given his Liverpool career lift-off. But the truth is, Isak has looked lacking in match fitness and not on the same wavelength as his team-mates.
However, without a full pre-season to his name this year, next season is where Reds fans should expect to see the Isak who previously tore up the Premier League with ease.
