Can Arne Slot navigate a difficult summer and significant squad changes to steer Liverpool to another title? – season preview | OneFootball

The Premier League champions kick off the brand new 2025/26 Premier League season by hosting Bournemouth an Anfield on Friday night.

Our Liverpool reporter Nazira Yusuf looks ahead to the new campaign for the Reds following a difficult summer for the club…

A difficult summer

From trips to Preston North End to tours across Hong Kong and Japan, a back-to-back friendly at Anfield against Athletic Club and a loss in the Community Shield to Crystal Palace, Arne Slot’s squad have been put through a comprehensive preparation schedule.

Slot has balanced integrating six new signings with testing tactical systems, and building cohesion across a squad in transition, with the incomings and outgoings but also a summer which has also been an emotional period for the champions.

The tragic passing of Diogo Jota earlier in July reminded everyone that there are far more important things than football. Jota’s loss was deeply felt across the club, and Slot has had to guide his players through grief while maintaining focus on the season ahead. It is a testament to the professionalism and character within the squad that they continued to perform under such difficult circumstances.

Big squad changes

The reigning champions have undergone significant changes this summer with the high-profile exits of Darwin Núñez, Luis Díaz, and Jarell Quansah, who have departed for Al-Hilal, Bayern Munich, and Bayer Leverkusen respectively.

Slot’s recruitment team have also delivered six new signings to take their summer spending to an eye- watering £300m mark. Giovanni Leoni also looks set to join the club, which would follow deals for Jeremie Frimpong (£29m), Florian Wirtz (£116m), Milos Kerkez (£40m), Armin Pecsi (£1.5m), Freddie Woodman (free), Hugo Ekitike (£79m) and Giorgi Mamardashvili, whose £29m transfer from Valencia was agreed last year.

“We’ve not only lost three or four starters, we’ve lost five or six players that played a lot of minutes for us last season and then we brought in new players so it’s normal there’s a little bit of adaptation,” Slot said.

Liverpool have undoubtedly brought in some very good players this summer but have also lost some who Slot could count upon to make a big contribution. While the new signings look well placed to do, there is an element of uncertainty going into the new campaign.

Still short in attack?

With Núñez and Díaz gone, the tragic death of Jota, and Federico Chiesa’s future uncertain, Ekitike currently stands as the only natural number 9 in the squad. This has intensified the club’s pursuit of Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak.

Although Liverpool’s £110m bid for Isak was rejected, the club are likely to go back in with another attempt this summer. The potential arrival of Isak would be a statement signing, addressing a critical gap while giving Slot greater tactical flexibility and a fluid front three.

But even if Isak does not arrive, Liverpool will still need to add to their attack this summer or risk leaving themselves too short, especially if there are injuries.

Young prodigy to step up?

Pre-season has also provided a platform for Liverpool’s emerging talent. The pre-season has allowed Slot to assess which youngsters are ready for first-team involvement and which may need more time to develop in training.

16-year-old Rio Ngumoha in particular impressed, contributing two goals and two assists across pre-season matches and looks as though he could have a part to play this season.

Other academy prospects were also given opportunities to impress such as Luke Stephenson, Ben Doak and Trey Nyoni.

Conclusion

Liverpool enter the season with the chance to make history by winning back-to-back Premier League titles for the first time in the club’s illustrious history. Arne Slot’s remarkable debut campaign saw the Reds secure their 20th league crown with authority, high-intensity pressing, attacking flair, and defensive solidity.

While the challenge of defending a title is never easy, especially after significant squad changes and a difficult summer emotionally, his exciting new signings and emerging young talent gives them the tools to go all the way again.

If Slot can maintain squad cohesion, integrate his new arrivals effectively, and navigate the inevitable ups and downs of a long season, the Reds could etch their names in history once more.