Spending smart not big can help the Reds complete Isak swoop

IT WAS back in 2021 when the chant was first aired.

- By IAN DOYLE

And it was given more than a few more renditions as Liverpool romped to a record-equalling 20th championship last season.

"The Reds have got no money, but we'll still win the league," came the cry from the Reds support, acknowledging what has long been regarded by some as the over-frugality of club owners Fenway Sports Group.

Of course, Liverpool are by no means paupers and have consistently ranked in the top 10 of the Deloitte Football Money League, the accepted barometer of a club's financial standing in terms of revenue.

But when it comes to splashing the cash in the transfer market, Liverpool haven't quite been on a par with many of their nearest rivals, not least last summer when only £10m was spent to immediately bolster the squad with the arrival of Federico Chiesa, although a further £29m was committed to bringing in Giorgi Mamardashvili this season.

That, though, has very much changed during this transfer window, with many eyebrows being raised at the uncharacteristically mammoth outlay that has seen Liverpool bring in seven players - including club record £116m arrival Florian Wirtz - and being prepared to break the British transfer record for Alexander Isak of Newcastle United while still seeking a new centre-back.

It's not inconceivable the Reds end up splashing out almost £450m this summer, underlining why it is important to recruit from a position of strength rather than rest on laurels. Progressive evolution should never stop.