Liverpool handed one-off chance to disprove transfer market's biggest myth
Liverpool have already broken from their long-held recruitment strategy in seismic fashion. Now they have an opportunity to disprove or embellish one of the transfer market's great myths as Arne Slot's team jet off on their pre-season tour of Asia.
With Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong already in the door from Bayer Leverkusen, a reported £87m offer for Eintracht Frankfurt goalscorer Hugo Ekitike could see their spend on players who spent last season in Germany total an eye-watering £233m.
And that, predictably, has fired up talk of the Bundesliga Tax. Yet again.
Anfield regulars will already know quite a bit about that theory and at Stamford Bridge it became known as the more alliterative Timo Tax following Werner's travails.
A quick scroll through the full list of arrivals and the expensive flops are quick to jump off the page. Jadon Sancho, Mahmoud Dahoud, Niclas Fullkrug, Orel Mangala, Marcel Sabitzer. You get the idea.
Various analytical minds have produced fascinating data spreadsheets in recent seasons, arguing that the gap in quality between the leagues is between 12 and 17 per cent.
That suggests fees should be inflated and deflated accordingly and makes it inevitable that
Except the reality, as ever, is a bit more nuanced. And Liverpool in particular have signed well from the Bundesliga in recent years with more success stories than flops.
Since the start of this decade Liverpool have signed eight players from the Bundesliga, including Wirtz and Frimpong. Four of the other six played a major role in last season's title win - while the other two, Thiago Alcantara and Ozan Kabak, are no longer at the club.
It would be remiss to ignore that Manchester City have also done rather well with deals for Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, Omar Marmoush, Leroy Sane.
But the problem in 2025's era of more and more desperate social media hyperbole is that for Wirtz, Frimpong and, more likely than not, Ekitike, the pressure will be immediate.
A slow start and the comparisons and catcalls will come. Liverpool's recruitment department will be chastised for overpaying on Bundesliga talent when everyone knows the majority can't hack the intensity of English football.
The players will be told by anonymous accounts on X and Instagram that they should head back to the Ruhr or Bavaria.
Do well and the Bundesliga Tax argument will, hopefully, fall away quietly.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Charming English town is getting new £42million train station that will reopen key link shut for over 60 years
BACK ON TRACK Charming English town is getting new £42million train station that will reopen key link shut for over 60 years Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A RURAL English town has been given the green light for a new £42million train station that will reopen a vital link. After more than 60 years without a railway station, Cullompton has been granted funding by the Department of Transport and HM Treasury. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Cullompton has been given the green light for a new £42million train station Credit: Alamy 2 The new station will also be next to the motorway services at Junction 28 of the M5 Credit: Alamy The announcement is set to turbo-charge the economy of the Devon town and provide desperately needed transport links for locals and visitors. The funding will also help to support plans for a new station in Wellington. Cullompton station first opened in 1844 and closed in 1964. The reopening will be key to enabling the Culm Garden Village development, which will create around 5,000 homes. The new station will also be next to the motorway services at Junction 28 of the M5. Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Biodiversity, said: 'Further investment in rail infrastructure in Devon is always welcome and this railway station for Cullompton is key to the town's economic growth and will help reduce carbon emissions in the county. "People need improved public transport options if they're going to be encouraged to change their travel habits. "Hopefully Cullompton could follow the success of Okehampton Station and the re-opening of the Dartmoor Line, which is a great example of what can be achieved given the necessary funding from government.' In April, a delegation of 30 people from the region travelled to London to hand-deliver powerful letters of support to rail minister Lord Hendy. Backed by a cross-party group of South West MPs and Wellington Town Council, the letters stressed how restoring rail links to both Okehampton and nearby Wellington could unlock major economic, social and environmental benefits. Lord Hendy said: 'The stations would contribute to sustainable development, connecting new residential areas with regional employment, education and healthcare opportunities. "The case for taking a combined approach presents significantly higher value for money compared with a stand-alone project in either area.' He added: 'Reopening Cullompton and Wellington stations would be a strategic investment aligning with the Government's goals to drive economic growth, reduce environmental impact and improve social mobility.' Economic growth Gideon Amos, who also backed the scheme, said: 'For the cost of around £42 million, £180 million of economic growth would go into the region — which I know the Government would want to see. 'Frankly, there is no other rail project in the south-west that is ready to go and could be built and completed in the next two years, as the project is so far advanced. 'In fact, had it not been for the review in July last year, the spades would be in the ground and the platforms under construction, because the contract was about to be let and the detailed design was almost finished.' And Labour MP Simon Lightwood added in the Commons: 'The strategic objectives are clear. "Enhancing public transport connectivity will support growth and productivity in Exeter, Taunton and Bridgwater, while also reducing road congestion, car dependency and carbon emissions.' He continued: 'The stations would contribute to sustainable development, connecting new residential areas with regional employment, education and healthcare opportunities." This comes as satellite images of a new £15million train station at Okehampton were revealed. The station, which will be the newest addition to the Dartmoor Line, connecting West Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall with Exeter and beyond, will also benefit education and leisure services in the region. GWR Regional Growth Manager David Whiteway said the project would provide "valuable support for the community and local economies". Satellite images show the rapid development of the £15million scheme, which is being funded by the Department for Transport with contributions from Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council. Since work began in January, major progress has been made to create the new station on the edge of Okehampton, two minutes from the A30. In March, 300 metres of the single-line track was moved 90cm north to allow a new platform to be built alongside it.
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Graffard ‘never had any doubts', as Calandagan shows his true colours
Narrowly beaten in four top-level contests since scoring at Royal Ascot last summer, some had looked at the four-year-old's thirst for victory as a reason why the talented son of Gleneagles was yet to strike at the highest level. Francis-Henri Graffard never had any doubts and although relief may have been the overriding emotion when Calandagan opened his Group One account in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud last month, this was a moment of sweet vindication for the Aga Khan team who have stood steadfast behind their star middle-distance performer. 'I never had any doubts about his willingness to win and every time he has been beaten he has had excuses,' said Graffard. 'He was really far back in the Juddmonte International and he quickened really strongly, just too late, and in Dubai he again finished strongly when beaten by a very good horse. At Epsom, I had plenty of excuses, but I could never say it was because he didn't want to try. 'Mickael (Barzalona) knows him better now and he loves good ground and the mile-and-a-half distance. I think there can't be any more doubt about his willingness to win.' Having caused a 25-1 shock with Goliath 12 months ago, Graffard this time had the 11-10 favourite on his side and a horse who could quite rightfully class Ascot as his second home. A regular at British passport control, he once again displayed his liking for crossing the Channel, this time around taking home £850,650 after Barzalona delivered his mount with precision to deny Andrew Balding's top-class filly. Graffard added: 'I thought the filly might have got away and when she quickened I thought 'oh my god, I'm going to be beaten a neck again'. 'But Mickael said he was waiting and he really helped him to balance. He said the last 200 metres are long here and he knew he was going to catch her. 'The way he can quicken is very impressive, he's a very good horse and now we know whatever tactics the opposition have we can be competitive in these top races.' For Graffard, a second win in one of the season's key contests cements his position as one of the leading trainers in the world. Having shown himself to be a powerhouse on home soil, he is now proving it on the global stage, again displaying his willingness to venture into enemy territory and make a daring raid on the spoils. 'I love the sport and competition and when you have a top horse in good form, I think it is important to challenge yourself against the best possible opposition,' said Graffard. 'That is how you can really level-up the quality of your horses and English racing is so strong. I came to Royal Ascot with a really strong team of horses and left disappointed, so it is not easy. When you win, it makes it even more joyful. 'The season has been very strong for me so far, we're just starting the second half now and I've just had a week off to recharge and the stats have been very strong for the stable, so we need to keep bringing the winners and we are working very hard.' By emulating the achievement of countryman Maurice Zilber – trainer of 1973 and 1974 winner Dahlia – he has now done what many of his contemporaries, including even the great Andre Fabre, have so far failed to achieve. Dahlia and Zilber were of course thwarted in 'the race of the century' when seeking a King George hat-trick 50 years ago. But on the day next year's Ascot feature was boosted to a swelling £2million prize-pot, the lure of one of the sport's greatest races is sure to prove a tempting proposition once again. 'Hopefully. It's an amazing race and I'm not sure why it is not on the agenda for more horses and stables,' said Graffard when asked about seeking a third win in the race. 'It's a fantastic race and of course you don't just come for the prize-money. If my horses are in good form I would definitely come back again.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Arne Slot leaves Luis Diaz out of AC Milan friendly due to ongoing speculation
Bayern Munich are understood to have reopened dialogue with the Premier League champions, having had an initial offer of 67.5million euros (£59m) dismissed last week. Liverpool have maintained they do not want to sell the forward – who has also attracted interest from Barcelona – and the Bundesliga champions' bid was way below their own valuation of 100m euro (£87m) for an elite forward in the global market. Bayern Munich have reopened discussions with Liverpool over Luis Diaz (Mike Egerton/PA) Diaz turns 29 in January and has two years left on his current deal but has not yet had an offer of a new contract. 'In Lucho's (Diaz's) situation, there's a lot of rumours around him lately and I cannot go into that,' said Slot. 'He's training really well with us but we have decided for now not to play him yet. 'I'm used to talking to most of my players on a regular basis. I cannot comment much more about that.' Joe Gomez has departed Liverpool's pre-season tour of Asia due to injury, Arne Slot has confirmed. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 26, 2025 Asked whether Diaz wanted to leave, Slot added: 'That is not the person to ask, me.' Striker Darwin Nunez, whose own future appears to lie away from Anfield, and midfielder Wataru Endo missed the game with minor fitness issues. Club-record signing Florian Wirtz made his first start as a false nine, with latest signing Hugo Ekitike left out of the squad, having only arrived on Thursday after completing his arrival in a £79m deal on Wednesday. Slot played two different starting XIs in each half, with midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and left-back Kostas Tsimikas both required to fill a centre-back role after Joe Gomez returned home for treatment on an Achilles injury. Club-record signing Florian Wirtz made his first start for Liverpool (Chan Long Hei/AP) 'We thought it was better to assess it back in England and for him to work on him to come back to the team, probably in more ideal circumstances for him,' added Slot, who denied Gomez's absence left him dangerously-short in the position after selling Jarrell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen. 'I don't think we have a concern at centre-back. I think Ryan (Gravenberch) showed today that he can play in that position. He did it last season as well. 'Although we all know we favour him as a number six, Wata (Endo) can play there. Joe Gomez only has a minor injury, he has been good for us last season as well. 'We have enough options left but it's true that Jarell Quansah left and we haven't replaced him yet.' Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo scored the goals for Liverpool, who paid tribute to forward Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva after their deaths in a car crash earlier this month. Players wore shirts bearing a logo with the Portugal international's name and number and a heart, and Sir Kenny Dalglish laid a wreath in front of supporters who held up a DJ 20 mosaic.
