
Liverpool spending backed by title win and long-term plan, says CEO
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
10 minutes ago
- The Star
Mihas 2025 to strengthen halal trade
Representatives engaging in business discussions at the International Sourcing Programme (INSP) during Mihas 2024, showcasing global partnerships and trade opportunities in the halal industry. PARIS: Malaysia is set to welcome global halal industry leaders to the 21st edition of the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (Mihas 2025), taking place from Sept 17 to 20 at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre (Mitec) in Kuala Lumpur. Hosted by the Investment, Trade and Industry Ministry (Miti) and organised by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade), Mihas continues to serve as the world's largest halal trade exhibition — bringing together buyers, sellers and industry leaders from over 90 countries. This year, five French buyers from the modest fashion as well as food and beverage sectors are confirmed to participate in Mihas' flagship International Sourcing Programme (INSP). Their participation reflects the growing global recognition of halal certification as a mark of quality, traceability and ethical assurance for consumers worldwide, regardless of faith. 'Mihas is more than a trade event — it is a global platform for innovation, sustainability and quality,' said Malaysia's ambassador to France Datuk Eldeen Husaini Mohd Hashim. 'Halal is increasingly recognised worldwide as a value-based certification that ensures safety, cleanliness and integrity. 'Mihas is more than a trade event — it is a global platform for innovation, sustainability and quality,' said Eldeen Husaini. 'It is not just for Muslims — it represents a trusted system of quality control, traceability and ethical assurance for all consumers. I am delighted to see significant French participation this year, as Malaysia continues to build bridges across halal economies and open new avenues for global partnerships.' In line with current market trends, Mihas also showcases products that emphasise organic, vegan and sustainable practices, broadening its appeal to the conscious consumer segment worldwide According to the Halal Industry Master Plan (HIMP), demand for halal products is estimated at over US$3 trillion and is projected to reach US$ 5 trillion by 2030. 'Beyond Malaysia, Mihas is a strategic gateway to the wider Asean market of over 680 million people,' said Sebastien Chan Yik Sing, the newly appointed economic counsellor at the Embassy of Malaysia in Paris, succeeding Zuhaila Sedek. 'French buyers can leverage Mihas not only to source quality halal products, but also to connect with the fast-growing Asean market through Malaysia's trusted and well-established halal ecosystem.' As Malaysia assumes the Asean chairmanship in 2025, halal trade has been elevated as one of the Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs). Mihas 2025 will reflect this emphasis through special Asean and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) pavilions — further connecting regional and international halal markets. In 2024, Mihas recorded RM4.3bil in sales and welcomed over 43,000 visitors. The upcoming 21st edition, themed 'Pinnacle of Halal Excellence,' aims to surpass these milestones with a sales target of RM4.5bil, featuring cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) tools via the Madani Digital Trade (MDT) platform to enhance real-time sourcing, matchmaking and trade connections. For more information about Mihas and participation opportunities, visit


New Straits Times
10 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Teenage kicks: McIntosh, 12-year-old Yu set to rule the pool at LA 2028
SINGAPORE: The Los Angeles Olympics are three years away, but Summer McIntosh showed at the swimming world championships why she will be one of the stars of the Games while 12-year-old Yu Zidi is shaping up to be a major threat. The United States also demonstrated that tales of their demise were exaggerated as teams embarked on the long road to the LA 2028 at the World Aquatic Championships in Singapore over the past week. Canada ended the world championships on Sunday with four gold medals, all won by the 18-year-old phenomenon McIntosh. Yet it was the one that got away that rankled with the teenager, having been forced to settle for bronze in the 800m freestyle which American great Katie Ledecky won for a seventh time. It meant that three-time Paris Olympics gold medallist McIntosh fell just short of matching Michael Phelps's feat of five individual titles at a single world championships. "I think it's just going to keep me hungry and push, and keep moving forward," said McIntosh. "Even if I were to get five golds, I would still want more. That's just my mentality." McIntosh broke three world records in a matter of days at the Canadian trials in June and then powered to gold in the 200m and 400m individual medleys, 400m freestyle and 200m butterfly in Singapore. Chinese schoolgirl Yu became the youngest medallist in world championships history, taking home a relay bronze. Racing against McIntosh, Yu narrowly missed out on an individual medal by finishing fourth in each of her events – the 400m medley, 200m butterfly and 200m medley where she touched just 0.06 seconds from a bronze medal. Already her rivals are predicting Yu will be a major force at the 2028 Olympics. Canada's Mary-Sophie Harvey, who held off Yu for bronze in the 200m medley, said: "I think going into LA we're probably going to see her a lot more." American Alex Walsh, who took silver, said Yu was "phenomenally talented at such a young age." But there are also concerns about the physical and mental toll on someone so young. "Now she's gonna have a lot of pressure," said Harvey. The United States, who will be under huge pressure to deliver in the pool at their home Games, endured a turbulent time in Singapore. Most of the squad had to battle acute gastroenteritis following a pre-competition camp in Thailand. That led to stinging criticism from Phelps and fellow Olympic swimming great Ryan Lochte, with wider concerns about the management of the team in and out of the pool. Lochte shared an image on Instagram depicting a funeral that featured a tombstone inscribed: "In loving memory of United States Swimming." "They set the bar high – until they stopped reaching for it," the inscription said, with Lochte adding the caption: "Call it a funeral or call it a fresh start. We've got 3 years." The slight did not go down well in Singapore, with three-time Olympic gold medallist Bobby Finke among the American swimmers biting back. "There's just so much stupid stuff that's getting said," said Finke. The United States set two relay world records in Singapore and topped the final medals table with nine golds, one ahead of Australia. Third were France, with Leon Marchand blowing off the post-Paris Olympics cobwebs to smash Lochte's 200m individual medley world record from 2011. The 23-year-old Marchand, the face of the Paris Games with four individual golds, also romped to victory in the 400m medley. "It's not perfect, because it's never perfect, but it's more than I expected, especially the world record in the 200m medley," he said.


New Straits Times
10 minutes ago
- New Straits Times
Man United draws Everton, West Ham blanks Bournemouth in US tour finales
WASHINGTON: Bruno Fernandes scored one goal and set up another as Manchester United drew Everton 2-2 on Sunday to capture the Premier League Summer Series title. The Red Devils earned a final point in Atlanta to top the table with seven in the pre-season friendly tournament, having previously beaten West Ham 2-1 and Bournemouth 4-1 in the round-robin US tour. "It's improving," Fernandes told Sky Sports after the match. "I think the club is doing the best that they can. "We needed more competition for the players that were here. We needed more quality to get everyone to step up a little bit more, to have more to do to get into the first 11. I think that's what the club is trying to do, the manager, and hopefully we can get one or two players more to help with that." Manchester United finished last season 15th in the Premier League, their worst showing since relegation in 1973-74, managing only 11 wins and nine drawn from 38 matches. "I think a lot of people have suffered from this," Fernandes said. "The fans pay more for the tickets and we really appreciate all the efforts they do for us. "So it's up to us now players to repay it on the pitch." Fernandes said the club is working to improve from team and staff to facilities. "It's every detail. Every small thing matters," Fernandes said. "At this football club, you can't do anything wrong on the pitch and off the pitch because it's too big worldwide. "The culture of this club was winning. It was there. And we need to bring back that." Everton's James Tarkowski brought down Amad Diallo in the penalty area and Fernandes blasted in the shot from the spot to lift Man United ahead 1-0 in the 19th minute. French-born Senegalese international Iliman Ndiaye equalized for the Toffees in the 40th minute, tapping in off a pass from Senegal's Idrissa Gana Gueye. Mason Mount, who entered the field barely 10 minutes earlier, took a pass from Fernandes and curled in a shot past Jordan Pickford in the 69th minute to put Manchester United back in front. But Everton pulled level in the 75h minute when a ball directed back by Diallo deflected off Manchester United Ayden Heaven and into the back of the Man United net for an own goal. Manager Ruben Amorim inserted newcomer Bryan Mbeumo into his starting lineup, the arrival from Brentford missing earlier matches to finish pre-season training. Niclas Fullkrug and Jarrod Bowen scored to lift West Ham United over Bournemouth 2-0 earlier, giving the London side two wins from three matches in the Premier League Summer Series. Spot-on set up passes by Senegalese left back El Hadji Malick Diouf, signed only on July 15, led to both West Ham goals. "Both goals are down to him, the quality that he's got, you can see that," Bowen said of Diouf. "He has only been here a few weeks but you would think he has been here years. "He's humble. He's a brilliant guy for the group and he's obviously a brilliant footballer as well. We're very excited to see what he can continue to do here." Diouf's centering ball found England's Bowen in the box, but he was forced to slide a pass left to German teammate Fullkrug, who fired in a shot from point-blank range in the 24th minute. Bowen found the net in the 67th minute off a Diouf pass. Bournemouth had plenty of chances in the first 15 minutes but the Cherries found the woodwork to squander early opportunities.