Liverpool may never have another 12 months quite like 2025 for as long as the club continues to exist.
The year began in sensational fashion, with the Reds coasting towards a league title they would comfortably win.
Things then took a tragic and surreal twist in July when Diogo Jota lost his life in car accident alongside his brother, Andre.
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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
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Jota’s untimely death shook Liverpool to its foundation, and undoubtedly played a part in an unprecedented slump which saw Arne Slot lead the team on their worst run for more than 70 years.
Amid everything, there were five players who stood up to be counted bridging across two very different seasons. From back to front, here are Liverpool’s top five performers of 2025.
5. Hugo Ekitike
Part of Liverpool’s story of 2025 was an uncharacteristic splurge in the summer transfer market.
The Reds spent more than £450m, an initial £69m of which was put towards the signing of Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Hugo Ekitike of Liverpool celebrates after scoring a goal to make it 0-1 during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
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Scoring just minutes into his official debut in the Community Shield, Ekitike followed that up with a goal in each of his first three Premier League matches, as well as a lovely strike in the Merseyside Derby.
He may have only been at Liverpool for four months, and the clamour around Alexander Isak has led to calls that he’s underrated, but Ekitike has won the hearts of the fanbase through his excellent performances, clinical finishes and quirky off-field personality.
Moment of 2025: Curling a brilliant effort past Dean Henderson in the opening minutes of the Community Shield in August.
4. Ryan Gravenberch
Had RTK been compiling this list at the end of the 2024/25 season, Ryan Gravenberch would likely have been in the top three.
The 23-year-old deservedly won the Premier League’s Young Player of the Year award, marking a sensational turnaround in his importance to Liverpool.
Gravenberch started all but one Premier League match for the Reds in 24/25, and continued his importance into the current campaign.
Although the Dutchman has struggled at times – like the rest of his teammates – he has still been a vital cog for Liverpool, even adding goals to his game with crucial strikes against Newcastle, Aston Villa and, most delightfully, Everton.
Moment of 2025: Firing home a gravity-defying volley to give Liverpool the lead in the Merseyside Derby at Anfield in September.
3. Dominik Szoboszlai
If Liverpool’s midfield belonged to Gravenberch and, to a lesser extent, Alexis Mac Allister in 24/25, then 2025/26 is Dominik Szoboszlai‘s.
In fairness to the Hungarian, he was also vital as Liverpool won the Premier League, and his contribution of 12 goal contributions was somewhat underrated.
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Alexander Isak reacts with his hands on his head during Liverpool's Premier League match against West Ham United at the London Stadium
Photo by Izzy Poles – AMA/Getty Images
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But in 25/26, no one has been able to touch Szoboszlai. Consistently Liverpool’s best player, the No. 8 has stepped up to become the player everyone always believed he could be.
Goals and assists have kept on coming, but Szoboszlai has added a leadership to his game which has carried Liverpool at times this term.
Moment of 2025: Burying a sensational long-range free-kick in the dying minutes to beat Arsenal at Anfield in August.
2. Virgil van Dijk
Recency bias may lead a few people to disagree with RTK here, but we are in no doubt that Virgil van Dijk has been Liverpool’s second best player of 2025.
The captain was imperious as the Reds won the Premier League, becoming the first Dutchman to lift the trophy for his team.
Despite Liverpool’s form dropping off a cliff in 25/26, Van Dijk has largely retained his level – one or two moments of disaster aside – and has at times had to hold together an ailing back line all by himself.
He has had better all-round years with the club, but there is still nobody else you would rather see turning out at centre-back for Liverpool.
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk fist-bumping during a Premier League game for Liverpool.
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Moment of 2025: Lifting the Premier League trophy alongside Alan Hansen in front of the Kop.
1. Mohamed Salah
Like many in the Liverpool squad, Mohamed Salah‘s 2025 was very much a tale of two halves.
However, the first half of that story was so good, so devastatingly effective, to render the second almost meaningless.
Salah did not win Liverpool the Premier League trophy alone in 2025, far from it. But without his goals, assists and all-round brilliance, it would not have been remotely possible.
The Egyptian King deserved his new contract when it arrived in April, and although he has not continued his form into the new season – and has subsequently caused controversy and debate – Salah was unquestionably Liverpool’s player of 2025. Whether he is still here to repeat the trick in 2026, only time will tell.
Moment of 2025: Scooping the PFA Player of the Year for a record third time.
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