
Liverpool spending backed by title win and long-term plan
Liverpool's latest acquisition, French striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt in a deal worth 79 million pounds ($106.84 million), including add-ons, has taken the club's transfer expenditure this window to nearly 300 million pounds.
Outgoings, six players including Trent Alexander-Arnold, have so far generated around 64 million pounds.
The outlay marks a sharp departure from Liverpool's traditionally measured approach in the market. However, Hogan insists the club has not deviated from the club's policy of financial sustainability.
'It doesn't just happen; it's been years in the making,' Hogan told The Athletic in an interview.
'One of the things we're constantly focused on is that 'virtuous circle'. Trying to run the club in the right way to ensure that we can generate as much revenue as we possibly can. That obviously helps in terms of being able to put more back into the team.
'The difficulty is if you just look at one individual summer. That probably skews the data. There were a lot of comments made last summer that we didn't spend enough...'
Hogan explained the approach reflects the ambitions of American-led Fenway Sports Group (FSG), who are seeking to build on last season's Premier League title under manager Arne Slot.
'We also recognise, having won the English league title for the 20th time, that this is one of the biggest clubs in the world. We want to make sure that we are behaving like one,' he added.
'Having massive global stars come and play at Anfield, filling out stadiums in Hong Kong and Japan, those are things we expect and want to do.'
Liverpool face AC Milan in Kowloon, Hong Kong on Saturday, before taking on Yokohama FM in the J League World Challenge in Yokohama on Wednesday. They begin their Premier League title defence at home against Bournemouth on August 15 - REUTERS
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park is a lifestyle destination for all ages
It was a balmy July night in Hong Kong, and as the final whistle blew at the brand-new Kai Tak Stadium, that's when the real magic happened. Few will remember the scoreline – AC Milan's 4-2 win over Liverpool, or even that the match marked the 20th anniversary of 'Istanbul' – but what stayed with everyone were the scenes after the match: hundreds of Liverpool fans spilling into the night, making their way to the nearby MTR stations, singing loudly and joyfully. They belted out a glorious 'Fields of Anfield Road' – sung in Asian accents – and honoured the late Diogo Jota with emotional chants that echoed through the canopied city streets. Win or lose, it's moments like these that show how football's shared spirit makes things truly unforgettable. Nearly 50,000 fans packed the Kai Tak Stadium, and unsurprisingly, most were decked out in Liverpool red. But over in the South Stand, AC Milan fans held their ground, staying behind after the final whistle, hoping to catch a glimpse of their Portuguese star, Rafael Leao. It wasn't just a holiday and beer friendly, it was one of those evenings when football truly became a shared language. Liverpool fans from China swapped selfies with AC Milan supporters from Indonesia, and you couldn't help but marvel at how far these fanbases stretch – and how a single match can bring them all together. Last month's Hong Kong Football Festival 2025 turned out to be one of the feel-good highlights of the pre-season calendar. With the big Liverpool vs AC Milan clash and the first-ever North London derby played outside England, the excitement went beyond the matches – it also put the new Kai Tak Sports Park project in the global spotlight, generating priceless word of mouth you can't buy with a tourist brochure. Tickets sold out weeks ahead, and by the time the festival kicked off, it had become one of the summer's most talked-about football events. 'I didn't know what to expect from Hong Kong. We just planned to watch Liverpool in Asia, and it was eye-opening to see the Mighty Reds family here,' says Maggie Watson, who travelled with two friends from their hometown in Wirral, near Liverpool. 'The game – before and after – had such a friendly vibe, with Liverpool and AC Milan fans from all over the world enjoying the charm of Hong Kong.' If you're inside the stadium, check out the South Stand inspired by the iconic '18-and-over' section at Hong Kong Stadium. At the top, an event platform framed by a panoramic glass wall offers stunning views of Victoria Harbour. — AFP Away from the bustle Just five months after opening, Kai Tak Sports Park – a 28ha area rising from what was once the north apron of the legendary Kai Tak Airport (closed in 1998) – has burst onto Hong Kong's cultural and sporting scene. This southern part of the Kowloon peninsula has morphed into an Insta-worthy lifestyle destination with several new landmarks. At its heart stands the striking Kai Tak Stadium, which made headlines in April when Coldplay played four sold-out nights, setting the stage for world-class concerts to come. Whether you're a music lover, sports fan, or curious traveller, this bold new landmark is fast becoming a must-see destination in Hong Kong. Can you weatherproof your main reason to visit? Absolutely. For football fans struggling with the Hong Kong summer heat, Kai Tak Stadium was a welcome escape with its covered roof and cool air-conditioning. At the Liverpool vs AC Milan match, no one really had to break a sweat – the stadium felt comfortable throughout. A tribute to the late Liverpool player Jota and his brother Andre Silva was shown before the exhibition match between the Premier League champions and AC Milan at new Kai Tak Stadium in Hong Kong on July 26. – AFP A big highlight was The Champion Bar, stretching 100m and quickly becoming the main gathering spot, complete with design touches inspired by the old Kai Tak Airport. It might sound odd to rave about a new stadium, but Kai Tak Stadium truly deserves the praise – especially from sports tourists who've had forgettable experiences at other big stadiums in Asia. Conveniently located near the Kai Tak and Sung Wong Toi MTR stations, it's easy to get to, making the whole match-day experience far more enjoyable for visitors. 'I was really impressed – the new stadium looked great. I sat high up in the HK$1,999 (RM1,089) seats with an excellent view. I loved the vibe from Hong Kong's Liverpool fans and seeing everyone hanging out before the match. 'It was a hot day, but the walk from the hotel to the stadium was actually quite pleasant, and the crowd control afterwards was superb,' says Hakim Amir, a Liverpool fan from Kuala Lumpur, who took a casual 20-minute stroll to get to the stadium. Former Liverpool player and manager Kenny Dalglish laid a wreath on the pitch in tribute to Diogo Jota before the match and also opened the Liverpool megastore in Kai Tak Mall. — Reuters For those looking to stay close by, the Dorsett Kai Tak hotel sits right next to the stadium. These days, with more Malaysians travelling abroad for concerts and sports events, Hong Kong's Kai Tak Sports Park quietly adds another option to consider. Beyond matches and gigs, there's the Kai Tak Mall spanning three buildings, dining spots with views of Victoria Harbour, and modern lifestyle touches – like family parks and jogging paths – all set a little apart from the city's busier tourist areas, making it an appealing stop for solo travellers and family trips alike. Just a heads-up: K-pop superstars Blackpink sold out both its blockbuster tour-closing shows at Kai Tak Stadium next January in only 90 minutes – so you'll need to be quick to get in on the action. If you need to cool off, there's no shortage of rooftop bars around the Kai Tak Stadium area. – Hong Kong Tourism Board


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Malaysia's semiconductor exports still exempted from retaliatory tariffs, says Tengku Zafrul
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's semiconductor exports to the United States remain exempt from retaliatory tariffs for now, says Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz. The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said the exemption remains in place at present, but it is subject to review and may be affected by future shifts in US trade policy. 'Currently, Malaysia's semiconductor exports to the US are not subjected to the retaliatory tariffs. However, this exemption is conditional and may change depending on the US government's evolving policies,' Tengku Zafrul told the Dewan Rakyat on Thursday (Aug 7). He was responding to Lim Guan Eng (PH–Bagan), who asked about reports that US president Donald Trump had announced plans to impose 100% tariffs on semiconductors imported from countries that do not produce — or do not plan to produce — chips within the US and only companies that have invested in or are building chip-manufacturing facilities in the US would reportedly be exempt. 'This is a significant move that will undoubtedly affect major semiconductor-exporting countries like Malaysia,' Tengku Zafrul said. He said that in April, the US Department of Commerce launched an investigation under Section 232 of its Trade Expansion Act to determine whether imports of semiconductors, chip-making equipment and related products pose a threat to US national security. 'Although the report was initially expected by the end of December, we've learnt that the timeline has been expedited. 'Preliminary findings from this investigation may soon form the basis for future policy decisions — including the possibility of higher tariffs,' he said Tengku Zafrul stressed that the US government has yet to officially announce the mechanism for implementing the tariffs. 'Based on current information, the exemptions may not be based on countries, but on companies that invest directly in the US, regardless of where they are headquartered,' he said. As such, the impact on Malaysia would depend largely on the structure and investment strategies of multinational firms operating locally. Tengku Zafrul said Malaysia's electrical and electronics (E&E) exports to the US totalled RM119bil in 2024 — roughly 20% of the country's total E&E exports. Of that, semiconductors alone made up RM60.6bil, or about 20% of Malaysia's total semiconductor exports. He noted that 68% of Malaysia's semiconductor exports to the US came from American companies based in Malaysia. 'These companies employ around 72,000 skilled Malaysian workers and are supported by approximately 7,200 local suppliers, most of which are SMEs,' he said. He said the government is also ramping up outreach and engagement with key local exporters and players in the semiconductor supply chain, while encouraging companies to expand to alternative markets. 'Ultimately, we are committed to monitoring this development closely and negotiating proactively. 'We want a clear understanding of what the US defines as 'semiconductors' in this context, so our industry can prepare appropriately,' he said.


The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
China extends probe on imported beef in respite for global suppliers
BEIJING/CHICAGO: China has extended for three months an investigation period for beef imports, the commerce ministry said on Wednesday (Aug 6), giving global suppliers a breather from the prospect of trade curbs as the domestic industry battles to reduce a supply glut. The inquiry, launched last December, came as slowing demand squeezes the world's largest market for imports and consumption, but does not target a particular country. Trade measures to reduce imports could hit major suppliers such as Argentina, Australia and Brazil, after China has already restricted imports from the United States. The investigation will now run until Nov 26, the ministry said, citing "the large volume of investigative work and the complexity of the case". It also pledged to ensure a "healthy and stable" global trade environment by communicating with all parties. "It's definitely a relief to beef exporters," said Even Rogers Pay, agriculture analyst at Trivium China. "The extension buys Beijing a few months to see whether the domestic industry can regain profitability without safeguards, and hopefully to make progress on other issues with major beef exporters." Although trade measures such as quota curbs were still not completely off the table, it was more likely something could be worked out quietly rather than being imposed, she added. Authorities have ramped up support for the industry, including financial measures. In July, an agriculture ministry official said beef cattle farming had been "generally profitable" for three consecutive months. China imported a record 2.87 million metric tonnes of beef in 2024, but imports of 1.3 million metric tonnes for the first half of 2025 were down 9.5% on the year. China has restricted imports of American meat by not renewing registrations that permitted shipments from hundreds of US beef facilities after they expired in March, according to the US Meat Export Federation, an industry group. "The vast majority of our plants aren't eligible to ship to China presently," federation spokesperson Joe Schuele said. "While the safeguard investigation is important, it's not at the top of our minds. The most urgent situation is to get our plants registered for China." Without exports to China, the federation estimated the US beef industry's lost opportunities at about US$4 billion annually. "Consistent and transparent plant approvals, without expiration, were among the most important components of the 2020 Phase One Agreement with China," federation President Dan Halstrom said, referring to the trade pact signed during US President Donald Trump's first term. "It's time for China to return to those commitments." - Reuters