Liverpool enter the 2025-26 season as defending Premier League champions after Arne Slot’s remarkable first campaign delivered their 21st league title. With record-breaking signings including Florian Wirtz (£116m), significant squad changes, and the pressure of back-to-back titles, five critical questions will determine whether the Reds can maintain their dominance.
Few believed it was possible when Jürgen Klopp announced his departure, citing exhaustion and the need for fresh energy. The German’s replacement, Arne Slot, arrived from Feyenoord as a relative unknown outside the Eredivisie, facing the impossible task of succeeding Liverpool’s most successful manager of the modern era.
Yet the Dutchman’s debut season exceeded all expectations. Liverpool secured the Premier League title with four games to spare, finishing 10 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal with 84 points. They scored more goals (86), created more chances (83.5 xG), and won more games (25) than any other team while maintaining defensive solidity with just 41 goals conceded.
Now, as defending champions, Liverpool face the ultimate test: proving their success wasn’t a one-season wonder. With massive investment in new talent and the weight of expectation firmly on their shoulders, the 2025-26 campaign represents a defining moment for Slot’s project.
Table of Contents
The Remarkable First Season Under Slot
Slot’s transition from Klopp was seamless in ways few predicted. After an early setback – a 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in September – Liverpool embarked on an extraordinary 26-game unbeaten run in the Premier League. The turning point came with consecutive victories over Real Madrid and Manchester City in late November, demonstrating that this Liverpool team could compete with anyone.
The statistics from their title-winning campaign tell the story of dominance. Liverpool averaged 2.26 goals per game while conceding just 1.08, creating a goal difference of +45 that was superior to any rival. Their tactical evolution under Slot combined the attacking verve of Klopp’s era with improved defensive structure and game management.
Key Performance Indicators 2024-25
| Metric | Liverpool | Premier League Rank | Previous Season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Points | 84 | 1st | 82 (3rd place) |
| Goals Scored | 86 | 1st | 71 |
| Goals Conceded | 41 | 2nd | 47 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 83.5 | 1st | 76.2 |
| Wins | 25 | 1st | 23 |
The only blemish on an otherwise perfect domestic season was their Champions League exit. Despite topping the 36-team league phase, they fell to eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain in a penalty shootout after a compelling round-of-16 tie.
Question 1: Can Liverpool Handle the Pressure of Defending Their Crown?
Last season’s success came with the element of surprise. Few expected Slot to deliver immediate results, allowing Liverpool to operate under the radar while rivals struggled with their own transitions. This time, they enter as overwhelming favorites with a massive target on their backs.
Historical Context of Title Defenses
The challenge of retaining the Premier League crown is significant. Only five teams have successfully defended their title in the Premier League era, with Manchester City being the most recent (2018 and 2019). Liverpool themselves failed to retain their 2019-20 title, finishing third the following season due to an injury crisis and overall squad fatigue.
However, Slot’s track record at Feyenoord offers encouragement. After winning the Eredivisie in his second season, his team actually improved in most metrics the following year, scoring 11 more goals and conceding four fewer despite not retaining the title due to PSV’s exceptional campaign.
The Psychological Challenge
The drop-off after securing the title last season was telling. Liverpool earned just two points from their final four games (D2 L2), suggesting complacency or mental fatigue. Nine of their 41 goals conceded (22%) came after clinching the championship, raising questions about maintaining standards when pressure is off.
Question 2: How Quickly Will £300+ Million of New Signings Integrate?
Unlike last season’s minimal transfer activity (only Federico Chiesa, who played 104 Premier League minutes), Liverpool have invested heavily in squad reconstruction. The arrival of multiple first-team players represents both exciting potential and integration challenges.
Summer 2025 Transfer Activity
| Player | Position | Fee | Previous Club | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florian Wirtz | Attacking Midfielder | £116m (British record) | Bayer Leverkusen | Key starter |
| Jeremie Frimpong | Right-back | £29.5m | Bayer Leverkusen | Trent replacement |
| Milos Kerkez | Left-back | £45m | Bournemouth | Regular starter |
| Hugo Ekitike | Striker | £69m+ | Eintracht Frankfurt | Squad rotation |
| Giovanni Leoni | Centre-back | £26m | Parma | Squad depth |
| Giorgi Mamardashvili | Goalkeeper | £25m | Valencia | Alisson backup |
Notable Departures
The outgoings are equally significant, removing experienced players and creating space for new arrivals:
- Trent Alexander-Arnold: Departed to Real Madrid (Free transfer)
- Luis Díaz: Sold to fund transfers
- Darwin Núñez: Expected Saudi Arabia move
- Caoimhín Kelleher: Seeking first-team opportunities
- Jarell Quansah: Sold to Bayer Leverkusen
- Diogo Jota: Tragically passed away (number 20 retired in his honor)
Integration Timeline
Slot has experience managing significant squad turnover, having signed 15 new players in summer 2022 and 14 the following year at Feyenoord. His track record suggests confidence in handling multiple integrations simultaneously.
Pre-season performances have been encouraging. Wirtz scored in the 3-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos, Frimpong provided assists, and Ekitike impressed against Athletic Club. The Community Shield penalty defeat to Crystal Palace, despite a 2-2 draw featuring goals from Wirtz’s assist and Frimpong’s strike, suggested positive early chemistry.
Question 3: Can Liverpool’s Defense Handle Another High-Intensity Season?
Despite their successful 2024-25 campaign, defensive depth remains a concern heading into a season where Liverpool aim to compete on all fronts. The current center-back situation echoes the problematic 2020-21 campaign when injuries decimated their title defense.
Current Defensive Resources
Following Quansah’s departure, Liverpool possess just three senior center-backs:
- Virgil van Dijk (34 years old): Still exceptional but aging
- Ibrahima Konaté: Played 42 games last season but injury-prone historically
- Joe Gomez: Missed most of 2024-25 after December hamstring injury
Historical Parallels
The 2020-21 season serves as a cautionary tale. Liverpool entered that campaign with three senior center-backs but suffered simultaneous injuries to Van Dijk, Gomez, and Joël Matip by the halfway point. Emergency signings and midfielder conversions led to a dramatic form slump, though they remarkably still finished third.
Workload Management Concerns
Van Dijk’s durability has been exceptional, playing 4,000+ minutes in five of his seven full Liverpool seasons. However, at 34, questions arise about whether he can maintain such intensity across a 65-game campaign that includes domestic competitions, Champions League, and potential international commitments.
The addition of Giovanni Leoni provides some depth, but at 18, he’s unlikely to be ready for immediate first-team impact. Links to Marc Guehi suggest Liverpool recognize the need for additional center-back reinforcement before the transfer window closes.
Question 4: How Will Liverpool Cope During Mohamed Salah’s AFCON Absence?
While Mohamed Salah signed a new two-year contract and delivered 57 goal involvements last season, his upcoming Africa Cup of Nations participation between December 21 and January 18 presents a familiar challenge with concerning historical patterns.
AFCON Impact Analysis
| AFCON Year | Games Missed | Liverpool Record | Salah’s Pre-AFCON Form | Post-AFCON Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-22 | 2 league games | W2 D0 L0 | 16 goals, 9 assists in 20 games | 7 goals, 4 assists in 15 games |
| 2023-24 | 4 league games | W3 D0 L1 | 14 goals, 8 assists in 18 games | 4 goals, 2 assists in 12 games |
| 2025-26 | 5-6 league games | TBD | TBD | TBD |
The Performance Drop Pattern
Historical data reveals a troubling trend: Salah’s post-AFCON form consistently dips compared to his pre-tournament output. In 2021-22, his goals-per-game ratio dropped from 0.80 to 0.47. In 2023-24, accounting for his injury upon return, the decline was even more pronounced.
Critical Fixtures During Absence
Salah’s absence will include at least five Premier League games, potentially six if Egypt reaches the final. Most significantly, he’ll miss the crucial January trip to Arsenal – a fixture that could prove decisive in the title race. Liverpool’s record against Arsenal without Salah shows mixed results, highlighting his importance in big games.
Squad Depth Solutions
Liverpool’s attacking options during Salah’s absence will rely heavily on:
- Florian Wirtz: Creative burden increased
- Hugo Ekitike: Opportunity to establish himself
- Cody Gakpo: Proven performer in Salah’s absence
- Federico Chiesa: Seeking more game time after limited impact
Question 5: Can Liverpool Go Further in the Champions League This Time?
Despite topping the expanded 36-team Champions League league phase, Liverpool’s European campaign ended in heartbreak against Paris Saint-Germain. The penalty shootout defeat highlighted both their competitiveness and the fine margins at elite level.
Champions League 2024-25 Analysis
Liverpool’s European journey was compelling but ultimately frustrating. They became the first team to finish top of the league phase, demonstrating consistency across eight different opponents. However, this achievement merely earned them a more difficult round-of-16 opponent in PSG.
First Leg (Paris): Liverpool won 1-0 despite being outshot 27-2, showcasing defensive resilience but limited attacking threat away from home.
Second Leg (Anfield): Liverpool dominated with 18 shots to PSG’s 10 but could only manage a 1-0 victory, forcing extra time and the eventual penalty defeat.
Tactical Lessons Learned
The PSG tie exposed Liverpool’s limitations against elite opponents who could match their intensity while possessing superior individual quality. Luis Enrique’s team demonstrated that Liverpool needed another level to compete with Europe’s absolute best.
2025-26 Champions League Prospects
Advantages:
- Increased squad depth with quality additions
- Wirtz’s creativity against defensive teams
- Slot’s tactical evolution and experience
- Familiarity with expanded format
Challenges:
- Higher expectations as defending Premier League champions
- Potential for tougher draw positioning
- Squad rotation demands across multiple competitions
- European teams’ increased familiarity with Slot’s methods
Current Opta Power Rankings
Liverpool enter the new season ranked number one in Opta’s Power Rankings, a statistical measure that considers current form, squad strength, and recent performance levels. While this recognition reflects their domestic dominance, European success requires conquering different tactical challenges and psychological pressures.
Squad Analysis: Strengths and Weaknesses
Key Strengths
Attacking Creativity: Wirtz’s arrival provides the creative spark that was occasionally missing against deep-lying defenses. His 22 assists in 49 appearances for Leverkusen last season demonstrates his ability to unlock stubborn opponents.
Full-back Quality: The Frimpong-Kerkez combination offers pace, attacking thrust, and defensive solidity to replace Alexander-Arnold and provide competition for Robertson.
Midfield Balance: The Mac Allister-Gravenberch partnership has evolved into one of the Premier League’s most effective combinations, offering defensive stability and progressive passing.
Areas for Improvement
Striker Dependency: With Jota’s tragic passing and Núñez’s expected departure, Liverpool lack proven goalscoring alternatives to their front three. Ekitike represents potential rather than certainty.
Center-back Depth: The current trio lacks the depth required for a 65-game season, particularly given Gomez’s injury history and Van Dijk’s age.
Set-piece Defending: Continued vulnerability from corners and free-kicks cost points last season and requires tactical attention.
Fixture Analysis and Key Dates
Opening Month Challenges
Liverpool’s season begins against Bournemouth on Friday, August 15, before facing tougher tests that will establish early momentum. The opening fixture provides an opportunity to assess new signings’ integration before more demanding encounters.
Critical Periods
November-December: Traditional title-deciding period where Liverpool’s squad depth will be tested across multiple competitions.
January AFCON Period: Salah’s absence coincides with crucial league fixtures and potential Champions League knockout rounds.
March-April: The business end of the season when mental resilience and tactical flexibility become paramount.
Predicted Outcome and Expectations
Most analysts expect Liverpool to challenge strongly for the Premier League title, with many making them favorites based on last season’s dominance and significant investment. However, the step from champions to dynasty requires navigating new pressures and tactical challenges.
Realistic 2025-26 Targets
Minimum Expectations:
- Premier League: Top 2 finish
- Champions League: Quarter-finals
- Domestic Cups: Semi-final appearances minimum
Optimistic Targets:
- Premier League: Successful title defense
- Champions League: Semi-finals or better
- Domestic Cups: Trophy contention
Dream Scenario:
- Premier League and Champions League double
- Establishment as European elite
- Multiple trophy haul
The Slot Factor: Second Season Syndrome
Arne Slot faces the classic second-season challenge that has derailed many promising managerial starts. Opposition teams now have extensive footage to analyze his tactical preferences, while players may struggle to maintain the same hunger that drove last season’s success.
However, Slot’s evolution at Feyenoord suggests reasons for optimism. His teams consistently improved their underlying metrics even when results didn’t always follow, indicating a deep understanding of tactical development and player improvement.
Read More: Giovanni Leoni’s Liverpool Dream: The Italian Wonderkid Who Earned Arrigo Sacchi’s Approval
FAQs
How much did Liverpool spend on transfers in summer 2025 and who are their key signings?
Liverpool invested over £300 million in new signings, led by British-record signing Florian Wirtz (£116m from Bayer Leverkusen). Other key additions include Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m), Milos Kerkez (£45m), Hugo Ekitike (£69m+), and Giovanni Leoni (£26m). These signings represent a major squad overhaul after minimal activity in 2024.
Why was Arne Slot so successful in his first season at Liverpool?
Slot’s success stemmed from tactical evolution that combined Klopp’s attacking principles with improved defensive structure. Key player improvements under his guidance, particularly Ryan Gravenberch’s transformation, helped Liverpool score 86 goals while conceding just 41. His methodical approach and clear communication resonated with the squad immediately.
How will Liverpool cope when Mohamed Salah misses games due to the Africa Cup of Nations?
Salah will miss 5-6 Premier League games between December 21 and January 18, including a crucial trip to Arsenal. Historically, Liverpool have coped well during his AFCON absences (winning 5 of 6 league games in previous tournaments), but Salah’s form typically dips upon return, which could be more problematic than the absence itself.
What are Liverpool’s main weaknesses heading into the 2025-26 season?
Liverpool’s primary concerns are center-back depth (only three senior options with injury-prone Gomez and aging Van Dijk), striker alternatives following Diogo Jota’s tragic death and Darwin Nunez’s expected departure, and continued vulnerability from set-pieces that cost points last season.
Can Liverpool successfully defend their Premier League title?
Liverpool have strong foundations for title defense with record investment, tactical stability under Slot, and proven winning mentality. However, they face increased pressure as defending champions, must integrate multiple new signings, and compete across multiple competitions. Only five teams have successfully defended Premier League titles, making it historically challenging but achievable.
