Liverpool boss Arne Slot rejects 'weird' transfer reaction with Sunderland comment

Arne Slot has acknowledged that Liverpool are favourites to win the Premier League title, but he insists it's not about the money they've spent. The Reds have been big spenders this summer, with their expenditure nearing £300m and more expected. However, the reigning champions have already recouped nearly £150m in player sales, with more exits anticipated before the transfer window closes.

Slot stated: "If you won it last season it's quite normal that you are part of the favourites again for next season. For me it would not be normal if it's about spending, because the net spend of us compared to the other teams is not in our favour, if you look at the last two seasons. But it's completely normal that we are one of the favourites, because we won it last season. And we brought in good players, like all the other ones did, by the way."

Last summer, Liverpool only spent £10m on Federico Chiesa while they earned more from player sales. They're poised to break the British transfer record with a £116m deal for Florian Wirtz, while Alexander Isak would cost at least £120m from Newcastle this summer.

Arsenal have splashed out close to £200m this summer, whilst bringing in merely £9m, while Manchester United's pursuit of Benjamin Sesko will push their expenditure to the £200m threshold with no income from departures as yet.

Manchester City have invested £151m during the summer window but also made significant January outlays, generating £42m from sales this transfer period.

Meanwhile, Chelsea have also exceeded £200m in spending but have recouped over £100m through player sales.

Slot remarked: "This is the Premier League, this is what makes this league so nice. I think there's only been one exception [who didn't spend big] in the last two, three, four, five, six years, and that's been Liverpool last season.

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"Sunderland is spending money as if they... They have a lot of money, of course, because they're promoted. So that is what happens in the Premier League, that's why it is such a nice league.

"So if we are only favourites because we've spent a bit, I would see that as weird, because we've lost a lot as well. But that we are favourites because we won it last season and we played so well, that's clear. And the ambitions haven't changed, because the ambition of this club is always to compete for every trophy.

"So that hasn't changed compared to last season. Not because we lost players and not because we brought players in. The ambitions are always the same at this club."

Slot kept his cards close to his chest regarding the chase for Isak and the possibility of securing an attacking reinforcement, though they stand prepared to make substantial investments should the Newcastle striker become available, with defensive reinforcements also under consideration.