Is Liverpool in a position to retain the English Premier League after an intense summer transfer window? This is a question steeped in the club’s rich history and one that still grips both loyal supporters and neutral observers. In the 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool were masters at defending domestic crowns, building dynasties under Bob Paisley and Joe Fagan. Decades later, the challenge returns in a new era under Arne Slot, with fresh faces and a squad reshaped for the 2025–26 campaign.
The discussion extends well beyond Merseyside. Liverpool’s global support ensures their prospects dominate conversations on radio shows, podcasts, and even international betting sites, where odds are analysed by football communities eager to weigh in on the champions’ chances. Before the season kicked off, for example, many UK bookmakers placed Liverpool around 5/1 to win the Premier League. Some bookmakers placed the Reds behind Manchester City and Arsenal, but their recruitment drive has changed perceptions of how strong they might be over the course of a demanding campaign.
As the new season unfolds, the focus is on whether Slot’s reshaped side can sustain the pace required at the top. The manager’s first year delivered silverware, and his willingness to trust both established stars and emerging talent gives hope that Liverpool can repeat history by standing firm against their fiercest rivals.
The arrival of Alexander Isak underlines Arne Slot’s intent. He could be a future talisman of the club. Florian Wirtz, captured from Bayer Leverkusen for a club-record fee created headlines. His ability to unlock defences and dictate play offers echoes of past greats who provided Liverpool with imagination in midfield. Alongside him came Jeremie Frimpong, also from Leverkusen, a dynamic right wing-back who adds pace and attacking thrust. On the left, Milos Kerkez joined from Bournemouth, bringing energy to a role that demands both athleticism and discipline.
Up front, the signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee that could reach £82 million grabbed headlines across the football press. His blend of strength and speed gives Liverpool a new dimension, ensuring the forward line can threaten in different ways. Young centre-back Giovanni Leoni arrived from Parma, another move that speaks of planning for the future while strengthening the present. In goal, Giorgi Mamardashvili and Freddie Woodman added depth and competition, keeping standards high in one of the team’s most vital positions.
These additions came alongside significant departures. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s move to Real Madrid closed a memorable chapter, while Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez also departed, ensuring funds were available for Slot’s intent to rebuild. The balance between incoming and outgoing players is striking, echoing earlier moments in Liverpool history when a refreshed squad laid the foundations for continued success.
Early signs indicate a team poised to fight. Florian Wirtz has already shown flashes of brilliance. At the same time, academy talent Rio Ngumoha made headlines by scoring a stoppage-time winner against Newcastle, the latest league goal in Liverpool’s history. Such moments hint at both quality and character, qualities that define champions.
Rivals, of course, remain fierce. Manchester City’s strength in depth continues to set the standard, while Arsenal’s growth over recent seasons cannot be ignored. Chelsea and Newcastle also harbour ambitions of narrowing the gap. Yet Liverpool knows all about living with pressure. The memory of past campaigns, from the all-conquering sides of the 1980s to the surge towards the English Premier League crown in 2020, reminds supporters that this club thrives when expectations are high.
What sets the present team apart is the sense of direction under Slot. His first season brought immediate glory, and his second has already shown a determination to evolve. The new signings are not simply filling gaps; they are designed to raise the level, to push the squad further, and keep pace with the demands of modern football. That ambition is matched in the stands, where Anfield remains one of the sport’s most powerful forces.
The question at the heart of this season is whether Liverpool can transform strong transfer business into another lasting memory. History suggests they can. With a refreshed squad, a coach unafraid to make bold calls, and a fanbase ready to roar them on, Liverpool enter 2025–26 not only as champions but as a team determined to stay there.