Will the Reds be the fouth team to defend their Premier League crown in the upcoming 2025-26 season?
Liverpool FC will be aiming to become only the fourth club in Premier League history to successfully defend their title as the 2025/26 season kicks off. After the end of an era under Jurgen Klopp, new boss Arne Slot made a thunderous impact in his debut campaign, guiding the Reds to their second Premier League title and writing a new chapter in Anfield folklore.
A Season of Triumph and Tragedy
While Liverpool celebrated championship glory, the club also mourned a devastating loss. Portuguese forward Diogo Jota tragically passed away, leaving the footballing world in shock. In a heartfelt tribute, Liverpool permanently retired the No. 20 jersey in his honour. His memory remains etched in the hearts of fans and players alike—a true Anfield hero gone too soon.
In terms of outgoings, Liverpool underwent significant changes in the transfer window. Trent Alexander-Arnold joined Real Madrid, Luis Díaz moved to Bayern Munich, Caoimhin Kelleher signed with Brentford, and Jarell Quansah departed for Bayer Leverkusen. These exits created voids that needed urgent reinforcements.
Summer Signings: The Reds Mean Business
The Fenway Sports Group-backed club splashed nearly €270 million on marquee signings and promising youngsters. Among the headline-grabbing additions:
- Florian Wirtz (Bayer Leverkusen) – £100 million
- Hugo Ekitike (Eintracht Frankfurt) – £79 million (including add-ons)
- Jeremie Frimpong (Bayer Leverkusen) – £40 million
- Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth) – £40 million
- Armin Pesci (Puskás Akadémia) – £1.5 million
- Freddie Woodman (Preston North End) – free transfer
This ambitious spending reflects Slot’s desire to build on last season’s momentum with an infusion of quality and depth.
Probable Starting XI for the 2025/26 Premier League Season
Liverpool’s tactical approach under Slot has evolved into a fluid 4-2-3-1 system. With the departure of key players, the manager is likely to unveil a slightly restructured line-up.
Goalkeeper:
- Alisson Becker remains the undisputed No. 1, with Giorgi Mamardashvili as a dependable backup.
Defence:
- Right-back will be a fierce competition between Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong, with the Dutchman having the edge due to his Bundesliga pedigree. In contrast, Bradley’s proven stint of 10 assists in 52 appearances.
- Centre-backs: Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté are expected to resume their dominant partnership.
- Left-back: Andrew Robertson leads the pack, but faces strong competition from Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez, and the emerging Milos Kerkez.
Midfield:
- A settled engine room with Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliott, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Dominik Szoboszlai providing dynamism, control, and energy.
Attack:
- Mohamed Salah—the Premier League’s top scorer last season—continues to be the talisman on the right.
- Florian Wirtz is expected to operate as the central attacking midfielder or false nine.
- Cody Gakpo will likely keep a hold on the left flank.
- Hugo Ekitike leads the line, as Darwin Núñez’s potential move to Al-Hilal looms.
The Arne Slot Era: A New Dawn at Anfield
Arne Slot has already delivered silverware, but expectations are sky-high heading into year two. With a 67.9% win rate in all competitions (38 wins in 56 matches), he has quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most effective managers.
Slot’s Liverpool finished last season with 84 points, a full 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal. Yet, the Dutchman’s ambitions stretch beyond domestic dominance—Champions League glory and domestic cup success are firmly on his radar.
Key Players to Watch in 2025/26
Florian Wirtz
The 22-year-old German attacking midfielder arrives with high expectations. Having scored 11 and 10 goals in the last two Bundesliga seasons, and seven goals in 17 international appearances, Wirtz brings flair, vision, and scoring threat. His partnership with Salah could ignite fireworks at Anfield.
Hugo Ekitike
Ekitike’s move from Frankfurt is equally exciting. The Frenchman notched 22 goals and 12 assists last season, showcasing clinical finishing and creative link-up play. With Salah and Gakpo around him, Ekitike could be a breakout star in England.
Final Verdict
With world-class talent, elite-level coaching, and depth across the pitch, Liverpool FC are well-positioned to challenge for back-to-back Premier League titles. Their summer signings address key weaknesses and bring a new attacking dimension. While emotional and structural transitions mark the new season, this is a Liverpool side built not just to defend—but to dominate.