Home of football statistics and historyArne Slot pulled off a miracle in his first season at Anfield, guiding Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th title in England’s top flight, narrowly upsetting the odds given by English bookmakers.
The only side capable of stopping Manchester City’s unparalleled dominance in the Premier League struck again. However, it wasn’t Jurgen Klopp this time. It was Slot, and it was emphatic.
Liverpool cruised to their first league title since 2019/20 in remarkable fashion, leaving runners-up Arsenal ten points behind. Perennial champions Man City trailed the Reds by a whopping 23 points, testifying to the Merseyside giants’ outstanding season.
Arsenal and Man City might have had more success putting their transfer spend in an online btc casino than on their actual transfers given their spectacular lack of success and progress made in 2024/25.
What’s changed since?
For starters, Trent Alexander-Arnold bid farewell to his boyhood club to join Real Madrid, with his long-term partner, Andy Robertson, likely to be the next Reds star to wave goodbye to Anfield.
Courted by Atletico Madrid, he’s on the verge of moving to La Liga, as Slot’s men accelerate their long-term interest in Bournemouth starlet Milos Kerkez. Per Sky Sports, Liverpool will fork out around £40 million to sign the Hungarian left-back, which would take their summer outlay to a monstrous £180m.
Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have already joined forces with the reigning Premier League champions, as Slot looks set to put his stamp on the squad.
More changes are on the horizon, with Liverpool keen to add to their defensive options in the coming months, especially now that Jarrell Quansah is close to joining Bayer Leverkusen via Sky Germany.
Most formidable competitors
Needless to say, Man City will be right up there.
Despite their worst season under Pep Guardiola, the Cityzens have confirmed their ambition to bounce back with a proactive market approach this summer.
Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders have joined the Etihad club for a combined fee of over £130m, and it may not be all we’ve seen from City in the ongoing transfer window.
After three consecutive runner-up finishes, Arsenal will try to make a quantum leap, yet much will depend on the club’s ability to land a prolific centre-forward.
Chelsea could be an outside favourite as they should be brimming with confidence after returning to the Champions League and conquering the UEFA Conference League.
With all due respect, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur can no longer be treated as realistic title contenders, even though stranger things have happened in the Premier League.
Challenging five-game start
Liverpool’s title defence commences on August 15 with a routine-looking home clash against Bournemouth.
Despite the Cherries’ impressive season in 2024/25, they’ve lost almost the entire backline during the early transfer window.
On top of that, the Reds have won their last six home league meetings with the Boscombe outfit, netting at least three goals in five.
Beating Andoni Iraola’s crippled side should set Liverpool up nicely for a daunting-looking trip to Newcastle United on matchday two.
Eddie Howe’s men have returned to the Premier League and will likely have a busy summer bolstering their ranks.
The Reds’ final game in August pits them against Arsenal at Anfield.
With the first international break of 2025/26 coming immediately after that blockbuster, Liverpool will be desperate to make a statement against one of their fiercest title rivals.
A trip to Turf Moor to take on newcomers Burnley in round four is arguably the lightest challenge on paper, but Liverpool would be well-advised not to underestimate the Clarets.
That’s because they entertain Everton in the famous Merseyside derby on home turf, seeking redemption for an indifferent three-game run against the Toffees (W1, D1, L1).
Prediction
Liverpool look well-equipped to defend their Premier League crown, boasting squad depth, momentum and a manager with a clear vision.
While challenges from Man City and Arsenal loom large, the Reds have every reason to believe they can go back-to-back in 2025/26.
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