Arne Slot Defends Liverpool's Transfer Strategy, Dismisses Pundit Criticism Over Spending OR Liverpool's Arne Slot Claps Back at Critics, Justifies Summer Transfer Spree OR Slot Fires Back: Liverpool's Spending Balanced by Significant Player Sales

Liverpool boss Arne Slot criticised pundits who "favour other clubs" as he launched an impassioned defence of their unprecedented summer transfer activity.

The deadline-day signing of striker Alexander Isak from Newcastle for a British record fee of £125 million ($170m) took Liverpool's spending to £450m on eight players.

Slot, who could give a debut to Isak in Wednesday's Champions League clash with Atlético Madrid at Anfield, was keen to point out the substantial outlay was offset by more than £250m recouped in sales.

"There is so much focus on our new signings, especially from pundits that favour some other clubs in the country that cannot stop talking about £450m," the Dutchman said. "But they forget about [nearly] £300m that we have sold for. I think we did great business."

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Slot confirmed that Isak is in the squad for Wednesday's game, although he promised that the striker would not play the full game.

"There is definitely a chance because he is in the squad. Then there's a chance to play. It's 100% sure that he will not play 90 minutes," he said.

"It's already a Champions League game to look forward to and it's a chance he could play tomorrow. The only thing that is sure is he will not play 90. All the rest we will see."