Liverpool Aim to Defend Premier League Crown After Record-Breaking Wirtz Signing | OneFootball

Liverpool achieved what few had expected after Jurgen Klopp’s departure, winning the Premier League title in Arne Slot’s first season in charge.

It was only their second Premier League-era title and their first since the COVID-19-plagued 2019/20 season, finally giving the club a chance to hold a long-awaited open-top bus parade.

The Reds climbed to a new throne of immortals, becoming only the second team in English top-flight history to win 20 league titles, after Manchester United.

However, when it comes to title defences, the Premier League tends to defy basic logic, which dictates that the best team one season should stand a pretty decent chance next year.

Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering Manchester City side defied this trend for four consecutive seasons before Liverpool knocked them off their perch in 2024/25.

Whether Slot’s charges can follow the Cityzens’ example and create a dynasty of their own remains uncertain, but they at least have pre-season forecasts on their side.

Here’s our 2025/26 Liverpool season preview.

Liverpool Fixtures

Liverpool’s Premier League title-defending campaign kicks off on Friday, 15 August at home against Bournemouth before they travel north to take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park.

The first mouth-watering fixture arrives in late August as they host three-time consecutive runners-up Arsenal on Merseyside on the eve of September’s international break.

Everton visit Anfield for the first 2025/26 edition of the Merseyside derby in mid-September, but October and November will be chaotic for the Reds.

In the space of only 35 days, Liverpool will trade tackles with Chelsea (A), Man Utd (H), Aston Villa (H) and Man City (A), which could determine the fate of their title defence.

They finish the calendar year away to West Ham United and get the 2026 calendar underway at home against newcomers Sunderland.

Everton’s relocation from Goodison Park to the new Hill Dickinson Stadium makes April 18 a landmark date, set to open a new chapter in the storied Merseyside rivalry.

Another troubling-looking spell awaits Liverpool at the tail-end of the campaign as they meet Man Utd (A), Chelsea (H), Villa (A) and Brentford (H) in an action-packed May.

Manager

What Slot did last season was nothing short of outstanding. Despite falling short on all other fronts, Liverpool claimed the trophy they desired most.

Although many people attribute the Dutchman’s success to Man City’s dramatic fall from grace, Liverpool’s Premier League results in his first season at Anfield speak for themselves.

Slot found a strong foundation on Merseyside and built upon it with his own tactical identity, continuing Klopp’s attacking-minded philosophy with a touch of defensive discipline.

The Reds haven’t lost their sharpness in front of goal, but they seemed far more compact at the back, even though the numbers may not fully reflect that improvement.

However, Slot cannot afford to rest on his laurels. He must prove it wasn’t just beginner’s luck, especially after the club’s lavish spending during the transfer window.

Transfers

It’s been a while since Liverpool looked as determined in the market as they have this summer.

Inspired by a landmark Premier League triumph, they’ve unleashed their full financial potential in one of the most ambitious transfer efforts seen in recent years.

For context, the Reds broke the club’s transfer record to sign Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen for a reported fee of £100 million plus add-ons.

Separately from this deal, Jeremie Frimpong has arrived from the BayArena in a transfer worth £35m to replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left for Real Madrid.

Andy Robertson could still follow his iconic full-back partner through the exit door, with Milos Kerkez’s signing probably spelling the end of his career at Anfield.

Despite Alisson’s household status, Liverpool have recruited star goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia.

Finally, they’ve forked out approximately £79m to land Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt while Darwin Nunez has been shipped off to the Saudi Pro League.

In addition to the Uruguayan, who has joined Al-Hilal, star winger Luis Diaz has signed a multi-year contract with Bayern Munich.

Starting XI

Liverpool strolled to the Premier League title in a 4-2-3-1 formation last term, so there’s no reason for Slot to change the winning formula.

Mamardashvili’s arrival shouldn’t faze Alisson too much, although the Georgian ace is not to be taken lightly after several impressive years in Spain.

A new-looking defence features Virgil van Dijk as its leader and captain, with Ibrahima Konate likely to slot alongside the Dutch powerhouse.

Changes are coming on the flanks, with Frimpong and Kerkez set to take over from the Reds’ iconic duo Alexander-Arnold and Robertson.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister shone in the midfield’s double pivot in 2024/25, giving Slot very few reasons to question their first-team credentials.

Liverpool’s attack will undergo significant changes.

Anfield is still mourning the tragic passing of Diogo Jota, whose loss has deeply affected the club and fans. This season, Liverpool will play in their memory.

Mohamed Salah remains the focal point of the Reds’ free-flowing frontline.

Wirtz will likely join forces with last season’s Golden Boot winner at the expense of Dominic Szoboszlai, while Cody Gakpo should keep his place on the left wing.

Ekitike will be the new frontman even if Darwin Nunez fails to complete his transfer to the Saudi Pro League.

(4-2-3-1): Alisson; Kerkez, Van Dijk, Konate, Frimpong; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Star Player

Everyone is excited to see how Wirtz will fare in the Premier League, but this category remains reserved for one man.

Salah turned 33 in June, yet he remains Liverpool’s undisputed talisman.

He has been the point of difference since arriving at Anfield in 2017, and last season was no exception.

On the contrary, the Egyptian superstar’s campaign was awe-inspiring, proving that age is just a number for him.

Another record-breaking season is not a foregone conclusion, but Salah will likely continue to pull all the strings for the Reds.

Prediction

Defending the Premier League title is among the most formidable tasks in European football.

However, with a raft of top-class signings and Slot’s undying thirst for success, Liverpool are well-positioned to mount a genuine title challenge this term.

Arsenal and Man City will be breathing down their necks, yet it feels like the Reds boast a competitive edge over their nearest rivals.

While it’s hard to go as far as to back Liverpool to replicate last season’s ten-point margin, the Anfield club should defend their crown for the first time since the early 1980s.

Predicted finish: 1st.

Watch Liverpool Live on TV

All 380 Premier League games are shown on Sky Sports and TNT Sports in the UK, while NBC Sports holds the rights to Premier League games in the USA. Liverpool’s Champions League games will be shown on TNT Sports in the UK. See our Liverpool live streaming page for more information.

Read Next: Our full Premier League 2025/26 preview (with links to all individual Premier League team previews).