Liverpool’s £450m spending last summer ultimately failed to have the desired effect at Anfield, as seen by the fifth-placed finish in the Premier League this campaign.

Arne Slot was unable to extract the best out of the additions made on Merseyside, ultimately leading to the measly finish and his dismissal from the role this week.

The Dutchman’s departure has opened up the door for a new man to lead the club to future success - with former Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola set to take the reins in the coming days.

An agreement has already been reached with the Spaniard over a two-year contract at Anfield, which could see a whole host of his backroom staff join him upon any move.

However, it remains to be seen how much the Reds' hierarchy will hand the 43-year-old to work with in the transfer market - but a couple of additions do appear to be heading in the right direction.

£86m star green lights move to join Liverpool this summer

Liverpool’s fifth-placed finish in the Premier League this season is evidence that added work needs to be conducted by Iraola upon any appointment in the days ahead.

West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes has emerged as one potential transfer target after the Hammers suffered relegation to the Championship last month.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s side are said to be demanding a fee in the region of £80m for the 21-year-old this window, but Manchester United are also circling for his signature.

The attacking department also looks set to be bolstered during the upcoming window, as RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande continues to be linked with a move to Anfield.

According to reports in France, the Ivorian has already given the green light over a potential move to Liverpool this summer - with PSG also interested.

He claims that the 19-year-old has also approved a potential move to the French giants, even having numerous meetings with Luis Enrique’s side to discuss a move.

Any deal would be an expensive one for the Reds this window, as his current employers are demanding at least £86m to offload the teenager at present.

Why Isak would love playing alongside Diomande at Liverpool

This summer wouldn’t be the first time Liverpool spent a pretty penny within the transfer market, as seen by last summer’s eye-watering £450m spending spree.

Alexander Isak was the most expensive addition out of the bunch last year, as the Swedish international joined the Reds for a British-record £125m from Newcastle United.

Many tipped the 26-year-old to thrive after his big-money move to Merseyside, but he only managed to find the back of the net three times within his 14 league appearances.

His progress was also halted at one stage of the campaign after suffering a leg break in the win against Tottenham Hotspur back in

December - ruling him out for around four months.

The 2026/27 season is where Isak will be judged most by critics, but a move for Diomande this summer could hand the Swede the perfect chance to thrive at Anfield.

Whilst the Ivorian international would cost a small fortune this summer, it’s a deal that would see the club get another top-level attacking talent to aid Isak in his quest.

Diomande, who’s been dubbed “world-class” by Didi Hamann, created a staggering 2.1 chances per 90 - ranking him in the top 15% of attackers in Europe’s top-five leagues this term.

The aforementioned tally highlights his ability to cause carnage within attacking areas of the pitch - which could see Isak be the beneficiary of his endless chance creation.

The RB Leipzig star also completed an incredible 4.3 successful dribbles per 90 in the Bundesliga this season - with such a tally the highest of any player in the division.

His mazy runs have allowed him to get into key positions in Germany this campaign, even adding the end product - as seen by his assist tally of eight this term.

Isak could once again be on the end of his defence-splitting passes at Anfield, with the Reds hierarchy needing to pull out all of the stops to secure the youngster’s signature.

Spending £86m on Diomande would be a massive statement of intent from the Liverpool hierarchy this summer, but it’s a deal that could hand the club a long-term fix to their attacking issues.

Isak could have the perfect player to operate alongside in the final third with a move for the Ivorian - which could take the Reds to the next level under Iraola’s guidance.

Their partnership is certainly something to get excited about on Merseyside, with the aforementioned duo having the star quality needed to mount a title charge in 2026/27.