2025 was one of the most up and down years on record for Liverpool as they suffered huge highs and were rocked by extreme lows.
The year will always be remembered as the one in which the Reds delivered their 20th English league title in dominating fashion.
But while the euphoria of seeing the Premier League trophy lifted in front of fans at Anfield for the first time ever will never be forgotten, neither will the heartbreak of the summer that followed.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
Who has been Liverpool’s best player in 2025?
Virgil van Dijk lifts the Premier League trophy surrounded by Liverpool players on the final day of the 2024/25 season at Anfield.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Diogo Jota tragically died alongside his brother Andre, in a moment which crushed the very soul of the football club.
Liverpool players struggled to pick themselves back up, and subsequently embarked on their worst run of form for over 70 years. While all is not lost of the 2025/26 season just yet, their goals have had to be realigned. Still, there is much for the Reds to achieve in 2026, and here are three realistic goals they should now be pursuing.
1. Win the Champions League for a seventh time
Okay, we know how this looks. Liverpool have been horrendous at times this season and are well off the pace in the Premier League, so how can they possibly hope to win European football’s most coveted trophy?
The answer here is quite simple: for all of their faults, Liverpool still have one of the most talented squads in the European game.
Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley celebrate after Szoboszlai scores during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Inter Milan
Photo by Giuseppe Cottini/Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: How Alexander Isak’s devastating injury is set to affect Mohamed Salah’s Liverpool decision
As they have shown by beating Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid and Inter Milan this season, Liverpool know how to get the job done in the Champions League.
Being out of the title race already may suit the Reds in this respect. Instead of fighting tooth and nail for everything domestically for the rest of the season, they can put all their strength into winning number seven.
Dominik Szoboszlai has comfortably been Liverpool’s star man this season, and with the 2026 Champions League final set to take place in Budapest, we think the Reds can realistically aim to set up a dream date for Hungary’s best footballer of a generation.
2. Finish in the Premier League’s top four
It may not be an especially glamorous target, but Liverpool must now make sure they do not slip out of the Champions League next season.
Of course, if they can go all the way and win it, then it will not matter where they finish in the Premier League. They will qualify for next season’s tournament regardless.
What was Liverpool’s best goal of 2025?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
However, after hitting self-destruct on their title challenge in Autumn, Liverpool must still aim to finish as high as they possibly can in the table.
A top four finish would guarantee them a place at Europe’s top table again next season and that should be the bare minimum expected.
3. Finally sign a new centre-back in January
The final goal Liverpool should be aiming to meet in 2026 is to ensure they are adequately covered in the transfer market.
2025 was a crazy year of spending for the Reds, and although we are unlikely to see that level of purchasing repeated, there is still work to do.
Marc Guehi pictured on the ball during Crystal Palace's Premier League match against Liverpool at Selhurst Park.
Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty Images
The biggest question mark of the Liverpool squad remains at centre-back, where a season-ending injury to Giovanni Leoni has left the Reds badly stretched.
Marc Guehi continues to be linked ahead of the January transfer window, and whether it is Guehi or someone else, Liverpool simply must act and get somebody through the door. If not, they can probably forget their goals of winning the Champions League and finishing in the Premier League’s top four.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox