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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has criticised experts who “favour other teams” for their comments over the squad’s off-season outlay as he gets ready to award a first appearance to new signing Isak.

The last day purchase of Swedish attacker Isak from Newcastle United for a record-breaking fee of £125 million pounds took Liverpool’s investment to £450m on 8 signings.

The new arrival is scheduled to earn his maiden outing for Liverpool in their Champions League opener against the Spanish side at their stadium on Wednesday.

During his ahead of the game news conference, the manager pointed out that Liverpool’s massive investment was offset by in excess of £250 million pounds received in sales, having used just £10m the last off-season.

“There is so much attention on our new additions, particularly from analysts that prefer certain rival teams in the league that fail to stop talking about £450 million pounds,” the gaffer remarked.

“I repeat, £450 million, £450 million! But they forget about almost £300 million that we have moved on talent for. So, of course, if we want to improve the side we have to use that much money.”

Arne Slot felt Liverpool “did excellent transfers”, given all 8 of their signings are at the age of 25 or below, and the club “deserves to get recognition” for the strategy it has implemented.

“From my perspective it is simply a praise that people tell everyone we have used so much because that shows you the individuals we signed are seen as very good players,” said the manager.

“Some rival teams choose to bring in 27-year-olds because they are prepared, but we think we have added players who are in their early twenties [and] who are ready.

“I think all the money we have used we generated ourselves by selling, and by securing the title after we didn't buy anybody at all.”

Isak did not appear in the Reds’ narrow win at the Clarets on last weekend – the opening match since he signed for Liverpool – because he is still lacking of sharpness.

The forward practiced by himself at previous club Newcastle, in a bid to push through his transfer to Liverpool, and needs additional work to get up to speed after missing pre-season.

Isak's only outing this campaign came for his country in an 18-minute show from the sidelines in a 2-0 defeat by Kosovo last week.

The manager said he is “completely certain” the striker will not play the entire game against Atletico Madrid but suggested he will play a role against the top-flight side.

“He is a member of the group, so it's certainly a European match to look forward to, but if fans hope for his playing time, that could suggest that could occur tomorrow as well,” Slot continued.

“So the time he is prepared, fully fit, [he] can play 90, and then the next step is playing three times in a week complete games.

“And that is what he has to do; hitting the back of the net and doing exceptional things in attack is something he will certainly do. The primary hurdle he has is to become so fit that he's first of all prepared to do what he did last season.”