Force situation
With their 20th English championship title and a safe score gap, Liverpool have quickly completed their top transfer targets in an ambitious summer.
Notably, the possibility of recruiting Alexander Isak is also being considered positively. The Kop are in impressive form and are ready to aim for their 21st Premier League title next season. At the same time, coach Arne Slot also set a realistic goal of helping Liverpool win the Champions League for the seventh time.
At Anfield, the expectations for the team are high. However, any analysis of Liverpool cannot ignore the profound impact of Diogo Jota's tragic death on his teammates and the entire coaching staff.
In terms of expertise, Liverpool have upgraded the squad that has won the Premier League, and at the same time given Slot more depth and flexibility in his second season in charge of the club.
Despite limiting rotation last season, Slot's strategy has paid off. However, the Dutch captain also admitted that the team has begun to show signs of fatigue in a 30-match streak from November to March. And he should have made more adjustments in the defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final. Therefore, the 2025-2026 season will see more squad rotation from Slot.
In terms of personnel, Liverpool have accelerated in both wings with the signings of Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong. These are two important highlights in their nearly £300 million transfer window.
In addition, Hugo Ekitike was signed after a promising season with Eintracht Frankfurt. Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz joined for a club-record fee. Slot believes Wirtz will add "new tactical weapons" to the team.
While their attack is diverse and strong, Liverpool still show instability in the central defense area. They will need another excellent campaign from the central defender duo Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. The reigning Premier League champions seem ready for a challenging season.
Coach
There is a clear contrast in coaching style between Slot and Jurgen Klopp. However, thanks to sharp tactics and a calm demeanor, Slot has far exceeded expectations in developing the squad left by Klopp. This has created a new history for the club.
Slot started his coaching career at Anfield with an impressive record of 11 wins in the first 12 matches - the best number in the history of Liverpool coaches.
He became the first Dutch coach to win the Premier League. Thereby, standing shoulder to shoulder with Anfield legends such as Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish when winning the title in their first season in charge.
After the tragic events in the summer of 2025, the 46-year-old strategist shared: "Representing this club, in this city, now has a deeper meaning for me than before".
New recruits are expected
Florian Wirtz is considered a contract that could bring a big breakthrough for the "Red Brigade". They have overcome fierce competition from Bayern Munich and Manchester City to own a 22-year-old attacking midfielder, who is also on Real Madrid's radar.
Slot believes Wirtz's creativity will partly make up for the departure of Trent Alexander-Arnold. At the same time, it helped Liverpool turn possession advantage into more convincing victories.
In the pre-season, the former Bayer Leverkusen player showed his class with delicate passes and skillful ball handling ability.
Breakthrough young talent
At a perfect time, 16-year-old left winger Rio Ngumoha shined brilliantly in the pre-season friendly against Yokohama F. Marinos. This is also the day Luis Diaz officially left Anfield to join Bayern Munich for a fee of £65.5 million.
Ngumoha's impressive performance has given Slot another viable replacement for the Colombian star.
Ngumoha continues to show excellent form in the next match against Athletic Bilbao. Chelsea were very angry when Ngumoha decided to move to Liverpool last summer. For his part, this teenager felt that the path to the first team at Anfield would be easier.
Ngumoha is expected to sign his first professional contract when he turns 17 on August 29.
