What are the Chances of Liverpool Defending the Premier League Title Next Season?
Following four seasons of Manchester City dominance, Liverpool were the team to break that streak by storming to a first Premier League title since the 2019/20 season under Jürgen Klopp. Arne Slot was the man to mastermind the title winning campaign, which was sealed as early as 27th April with four matches to spare following a thumping 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.
Many will point to the injuries and shortcomings at fellow title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City, as well as the falls from grace of Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, but the consistency shown throughout the season by Slot’s men is made even more remarkable considering the Dutchman was only appointed last summer to fill the huge void left by Klopp. However, through clever coaching and a slight tweak in playing style, Slot was able to bring joy to Liverpool fans across the world and draw his side level with arch-rivals Manchester United on 20 league titles.
However, with the 20th title secured safely in the Anfield trophy cabinet, the focus turns to the next Premier League campaign to see if Liverpool can win back-to-back titles for the first time since 1984, when The Reds secured a hat-trick of title wins between 1981 and 1984. With online bookmakers including those at the Daily Star already compiling their forecasts for next season, what are the challenges faced by Slot and Liverpool to make it consecutive successes in the Premier League?
Filling the TAA Void
One of the transfer sagas of the season was concluded when Liverpudlian Trent Alexander-Arnold confirmed his departure to Real Madrid. While the move was expected by many, Liverpool fans retained hope that “one of their own” would stay and help the club retain the Premier League title and mount a charge on other trophy fronts. But upon confirmation of the departure, thoughts turned immediately to how Slot and Liverpool would fill the huge void and quality left by TAA.
Following the announcement, Slot made it abundantly clear that Conor Bradley would get his chance to stake his claim for a first-team spot and would start against Arsenal. Bradley has endured an injury-hit campaign but has shown flashes of brilliance with his marauding runs forward and tenacious tackling in the appearances he has made this season. His masterful marshalling of Kylian Mbappe in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Real Madrid in the first phase of the Champions League gave Liverpool fans a taste of the Northern Irishman’s ability on the big stage.
If Bradley is to begin the new campaign as the first choice right back, amid the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer 04 Leverkusen, a change of style would be required by Slot due to the attacking characteristics of Bradley, and indeed Frimpong. The Bundesliga title winner from the 2023/24 season has built an impressive reputation for his impact in the final third of the pitch, utilising his searing pace to significant effect to get behind defences.
With TAA’s passing ability removed from the equation, one of Bradley or Frimpong will have to forge a partnership with Mo Salah to continue to extract the most from the Egyptian. Of TAA’s 112 goal involvements for Liverpool, just under a fifth of them (19) were with Mo Salah, with only strikers Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo, Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino combining more with Salah. With Bradley and Frimpong, Slot certainly has two talented right backs, but it remains to be seen how Liverpool will set up with them.
Improving a Title-Winning Squad
A lot was made of the lack of transfer activity in the summer of 2024 following the failure to sign Spanish defensive midfielder Martin Zubimendi and the fruitless pursuit of Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and Leny Yoro from Lille. Gordon remained in Newcastle while Yoro joined rivals Manchester United and with Liverpool only completing transfers for goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was immediately loaned back to Valencia, and Italian winger Federico Chiesa from Juventus, there was a bit of scepticism heading into the 2024/25 season.
Those doubters were proved wrong, but there are certainly areas Slot is looking to improve and add to this summer. Question marks were raised throughout the season over the performances of Andy Robertson at left back the lack of depth in the midfield and at centre back as well as the need for a clinical finisher. As a result, the rumour mill has been working in overdrive, with players such as Milos Kerkez (Bournemouth), Jorrel Hato (Ajax), Florian Wirtz (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), and Tomás Araújo (Benfica) heavily linked with moves to Anfield. Improving a title-winning squad is not an easy task, but with more quality added to the ranks, Liverpool fans can get even more excited about the prospect of a 21st title.
Liverpool to be in the Running
It is almost inevitable that Manchester City and Arsenal will be back to their best in the Premier League next season. A trophy-less season for City for the first time in eight years will only fuel Pep Guardiola and his charges with more fire, while Arsenal will be desperate to banish their reputation of being a “nearly team” that lacks a number nine. With both teams expected to strengthen over the summer, the 2025/26 season could well be one of the most exciting in recent history.
For Arne Slot, the challenge will be getting even more from the likes of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Cody Gakpo, while getting similar returns to this season from Mo Salah. Confidence will be sky high and with another full pre-season ahead without the distractions of the Club World Cup, there is good reason to believe Liverpool can add another Premier League trophy to the cabinet and move one ahead of Manchester United.
