Arne Slot believes Liverpool have been unable to get the full value of their summer signings as a result of numerous injuries sustained during the first half of the season.

The reigning Premier League champions spent around £450m in the summer transfer window, the largest outlay of any side in the competition's history, which included the £125m acquisition of Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, a new British transfer record.

However, Isak has scored just two league goals since his arrival, and will now be out of action for at least two months after sustaining a fractured leg in a victory over Tottenham before Christmas.

Liverpool also spent a reported £116.5m on Florian Wirtz, but the German international only just scored his first Reds goal in Saturday's win over Wolves, while Jeremie Frimpong has made just five starts in 11 games due to a series of niggles.

Defender Giovanni Leoni, who signed from Parma, sustained a season-ending injury in his first appearance for the club in September, and the Reds are 10 points adrift of leaders Arsenal, with their hopes of retaining their Premier League crown looking slim.

"I think a lot has been said by so many people about the amount of money we've spent," Slot said.

"But unfortunately, not all of the money we've spent we have used and that has to do with the injuries of these players."

Liverpool host Leeds United on Thursday, and will head into that game in the top four if Chelsea fail to beat Bournemouth on Tuesday.