New Delhi: A lot has changed at Liverpool over the last couple of months as the reigning champions look to begin their title defence in the Premier League 2025-26 season. Liverpool have witnessed some major outgoings with the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz among others leaving. However, the club has left no stone unturned in securing strong reinforcements.
Liverpool enjoyed a phenomenal campaign in the Premier League in manager Arne Slot’s debut season at the club last season as they went on to win the title with relative ease. While many would argue Liverpool’s comfortable run was down to Manchester City’s dramatic downfall and Arsenal facing key injury issues at crucial junctures in the season, it still took a near-flawless effort from Slot’s men to lift the trophy.
But it won’t be the same this season. With nearly all of the league’s top clubs investing heavily in strengthening their respective squads and a record number of English teams in European competitions, the 2025-26 Premier League season promises to produce one of the most open title races in recent times. Liverpool will undoubtedly start as one of the favourites, but the pressure will be right up there after their spending spree in the summer transfer window.
Liverpool’s spending spree brings increased pressure for Arne Slot
Arne Slot inherited a well-functioning team when he arrived at Liverpool last year and did the right thing by not trying to fix what wasn’t broken. Though his tactical astuteness deserves credit, he didn’t have to change much in order to achieve results, and the cohesion between players resulted in a successful debut season for the Dutch manager, who won the Premier League in his very first season.
Liverpool barely made any major investments in the transfer market last summer, and despite low expectations, Slot managed to deliver the title. However, this season the expectations will be high from the Dutch manager after Liverpool’s title triumph and major summer spending spree.
Liverpool have already spent nearly £300 million on new signings, including a £116.5 million deal for German midfielder Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen. They also spent big on acquiring young striker Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, who is expected to replace Nunez at the start of their Premier League campaign.
Liverpool are still in talks for the potential transfer of striker Alexander Isak in what can be a record deal in the Premier League, taking their overall spending past £400 million this summer, which will make them the highest spenders in a single transfer window.
While Wirtz and Ekitike will ensure Nunez and Diaz are not missed, Liverpool have also done well to replace Arnold with Jeremie Frimpong, who is one of the best attacking right-backs in the world at present. Milos Kerkez has been roped in for the left-back position, with Andy Robertson falling behind in the pecking order.
While the raw talent and the flair in the squad are for everyone to see, the new-look Liverpool will be a team in transition, with Mohamed Salah as the only prominent attacker from their title-winning squad from last season. It might take some time for Slot to get his combinations right and get the best out of his new players.
And the added pressure of the huge spending spree in the transfer market will not make things easier for the Dutch manager. The familiar Arnold and Robertson combination has also been disrupted in defensive wide channels, meaning Liverpool will be more susceptible to attacks from wings as the new full-backs settle in.
A lot will ride on Mohamed Salah’s shoulders
With Diaz departing and Diogo Jota passing away tragically, Liverpool’s new-look attack will rely heavily on Mohamed Salah in the new season. Salah led from the front in the last campaign, scoring 29 goals and producing 18 assists across all competitions in one of his best seasons for the club. He will have to repeat his heroics if Liverpool fails to land Isak, who has been forcing Newcastle to agree a move.
Liverpool’s pursuit of Isak despite the staggering price tag is no surprise as they need to bolster their attack after losing their most experienced players up front. However, if they fail to land the Swedish striker, Slot’s headaches will increase up front unless Ekitike manages to set the stage on fire in his debut season with the club.
Much like last season, Liverpool, along with the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea, are seen among the title favourites. However, considering the unpredictablity of the Premier League, no team can be discounted. Liverpool might get off to a rough start owing to a new set of players in the squad, but they will hope to gain rhythm and plot a sucessful title defence next season.