Premier League Preview: Liverpool Fc
Market value: €1.04bn
Premier League 2025-26 Preview: Liverpool
Liverpool, who won the league title for a record 20th time with a comfortable lead, is in excellent shape to secure their 21st title. Ambitious signings have strengthened the squad, and a Champions League triumph seems like a realistic goal for new manager Arne Slot. While the team's squad is, on paper, stronger than it was last year, and expectations are high, the season is sadly overshadowed by the tragic death of Diogo Jota, which is the only unknown factor in their title defense due to its impact on the squad.
Liverpool FC at a glance
League Level: First Tier
In league since: 34 years
Table position: 1st
Squad Market Value: €1.04bn
Squad Size: 28 players
Average Age: 25.6 years
Foreigners: 22 players (78.6%)
National Team Players: 18 players
Stadium: Anfield (61,276 seats)
Current Transfer Record: €-97.38m
Prospects
Liverpool is preparing for their second season under Arne Slot after winning the Premier League last season. The team developed significantly in their first season, but the manager felt that fatigue caught up with the players during a 30-match period between November and March. To avoid this, more rotation is expected this season.
Liverpool spent almost £300m in the transfer market. They strengthened both defensive flanks with the signings of Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, and in attack, they managed to acquire Hugo Ekitiké from under Newcastle's nose after his breakthrough season with Eintracht Frankfurt. The biggest signing, however, was Florian Wirtz for a club-record fee. Slot believes Wirtz will provide the team with "a few extra weapons." The attacking section is well-stocked, but in central defense, another stellar performance will be needed from Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté.
In the first round, Liverpool will host Bournemouth at Anfield. The match will be held on Friday, August 15th, at 9:00 PM.
The Manager
Arne Slot's personality was in stark contrast to that of his predecessor, Jürgen Klopp, but thanks to his tactical brilliance and calm, grounded manner, he exceeded expectations. Slot, who had the best start of any Liverpool manager (11 wins in his first 12 games), became the first Dutch coach to win the Premier League and joined Anfield greats Joe Fagan and Sir Kenny Dalglish in winning the title in his first season.
Off-field picture
A dark shadow was cast over the club this summer after the tragic deaths of Portuguese international Diogo Jota and his brother, André Silva, in a car accident on July 3rd. The 28-year-old Jota was a hugely popular figure in the dressing room and had won the Premier League and the Nations League shortly before his death. The club has permanently retired his No. 20 shirt and has plans for a permanent memorial.
The Star Signing
The signing of Florian Wirtz best reflects the club's ambitions. A club-record fee of £116 million was paid for the 22-year-old attacking midfielder. Wirtz's creativity could compensate for the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold and help Liverpool turn possession dominance into more emphatic victories. Wirtz performed excellently in pre-season matches; his passing and positional awareness in front of goal were impressive.
Who is Stepping Up?
The 16-year-old left-winger Rio Ngumoha performed brilliantly in pre-season matches, and his goals signaled that he could potentially replace Luis Díaz, who departed for Bayern. The young talent will sign his first professional contract on August 29th.
A Big Season for…
This will be an important season for Conor Bradley, as Trent Alexander-Arnold's departure has created an opening at right-back. Although the 22-year-old has all the attributes for the job and has made 57 appearances for Liverpool, the club signed Jeremie Frimpong, which still means fierce competition for the position. However, the opportunity for Bradley to become a regular starter is clearly there to be seized.