SLOT'S FIRST CRUNCH DATE

Reds boss can't tell if buys will be up to the job until September

- By Chris McKenna

LIVERPOOL may have spent close to £300million so far in this window and plan to splash even more cash before it slams shut.

But Arne Slot admits he will not know if they have upgraded their squad until the new recruits really settle in and all their business is done on September 1.

Not that the head coach doubts any of the signings, but he knows adapting to English football and the physicality will be a test.

The Reds have brought in striker Hugo Ekitike for £79m, playmaker Florian Wirtz for potentially up to £116m, versatile defender Jeremie Frimpong for £29m, left-back Milos Kerkez for £40m and goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for £30m.

But they have lost regular starters with Luis Diaz leaving for Bayern Munich for £65m, while right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold departed as his contract expired.