This summer, Liverpool has unleashed over £400 million into the transfer market, shattering the Premier League transfer record not once, but twice! While they've made headlines with their audacious moves, history warns us that hefty investments don’t always lead to glory on the pitch.

After their record-breaking acquisitions, Liverpool has attracted envy and scrutiny alike. Just weeks ago, they secured a stunning deal for Florian Wirtz worth up to £116 million, but that record quickly morphed into yesterday’s news when Alexander Isak's transfer deadline day deal for a whopping £125 million pushed the boundaries even further.

But as the saying goes, with great spending comes great expectations—and potential pitfalls, too. Remember Manchester United’s notorious spending spree back in the 2001-02 season? Fresh off a title win, Sir Alex Ferguson set out to strengthen his squad after a disappointing campaign marked by eight league defeats and a Champions League exit.

United kicked off their spending with Ruud van Nistelrooy, who became the club’s record signing at £19 million due to an injury delay in his transfer. His record stood for a mere 11 days before United splurged £28.1 million on Juan Sebastian Veron. While Van Nistelrooy dazzled by becoming the club’s top scorer, he only celebrated one league title and two domestic cup victories during his tenure, leaving fans wanting more. Veron, on the other hand, struggled to recreate his Serie A brilliance in the Premier League, eventually departing for Chelsea at a substantial loss.

Liverpool faces the daunting task of avoiding a similar fate. Although they started their title defense with three straight wins, whispers of doubt surround Arne Slot’s management, particularly with Wirtz yet to transform into the superstar expected of his record-setting price. Could the pressure of expectation stifle his growth?

As Liverpool sails through this turbulent transfer season, they must heed the lessons from United’s checkered spending history. Can they turn their summer splurges into success, or will they find themselves caught in a whirlwind of unmet expectations? Only time will tell, but the stakes are undeniably high.