It is fair to say there is mixed confidence when it comes to how This Is Anfield ‘s writers believe Liverpool will fare this season!
The Reds make the trip to Newcastle on Sunday to get their 2026/27 campaign up and running.
It will be fascinating to see how Liverpool fare under Andoni Iraola, as they look to show that they are Premier League title contenders from the off.
Here are This Is Anfield‘s regular contributors’ Reds predictions for the season ahead – who do you agree and disagree with?
JAMES NALTON @JDNalton
Predicted finish: 3rd
Top goalscorer: Gakpo (if he stays)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player of the year: Szoboszlai
The biggest concern is… defensive depth and injury issues, defensive midfield, a backup striker with Ekitike injured, and the lack of an elite winger to ease pressure on Ngumoha and Munoz.
If Barcola is signed, with Araujo coming in and other defenders gradually returning to fitness, the main issue is defensive midfield and that Ekitike injury.
Munoz might have to play up front for a bit and can hopefully do well.
Our best XI is: difficult to pick, and not because Liverpool are overly spoiled for choice with fit and available options at the moment. But for now…
Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ngumoha, Gakpo, Isak
This season I’d be happy with… a team and a way of playing that looks like it can challenge for titles. One that encourages the recruitment team to back the manager.
A domestic cup win, too, and Iraola proving he can work well in Europe.
SAM MILLNE @sam_millne
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz (R) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz (R) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Predicted finish: 2nd
Top goalscorer: Isak
Player of the year: Wirtz
The biggest concern is… a lack of depth in attack, exacerbating the poor fitness for Iraola’s style.
Our best XI is: Alisson; Bradley, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Munoz, Wirtz, Ekitike; Isak
This season I’d be happy with… top four and a trophy.
HENRY JACKSON @HenryJackson87
Predicted finish: 3rd
Top goalscorer: Isak
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the first goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates after scoring the first goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player of the year: Wirtz. I’m ready to get my hopes up again!
The biggest concern is… a lack of squad depth and a continued feeling of being too easy to get through.
Our best XI is: Alisson; Bradley (when fit), Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola (hopefully); Isak
This season I’d be happy with… a top-four finish, good football and a trophy. Anything is possible with Liverpool in the Champions League!
PETER BOLSTER @peter_bolster
Predicted finish: Champions
Top goalscorer: Isak
Player of the year: Szoboszlai
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The biggest concern is… the midfield and the balance of it.
There’s loads of quality there, but I still think there are questions over whether we’ve got the right mix in the middle, especially when games get stretched.
Our best XI is: Alisson; Frimpong, Araujo, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Munoz, Ngumoha, Isak
This season I’d be happy with… a proper title challenge, but more than anything I want Liverpool to look like Liverpool again.
I want the identity back. I want grit, fight, aggression and that press that gets Anfield on its feet.
I want us playing football that supporters can actually get behind, where you can feel the energy in the ground and the opposition know they’re in a game.
And I want us to take the cups seriously. Have a proper go at them. Don’t put all your eggs in the bigger basket and just expect to win the Premier League or Champions League every year, because that isn’t reality.
Liverpool should be trying to win every trophy they enter.
AARON CUTLER @aaron_cutler
Predicted finish: 5th
Top goalscorer: Isak
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai (R) after scoring the first goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak celebrates with team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai (R) after scoring the first goal during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Player of the year: Wirtz
The biggest concern is… a lack of squad depth. We’re transitioning to a style of football that demands high intensity, without enough players to do so consistently.
Glaring holes in the squad have not been addressed, namely right-back and defensive midfield.
There is still time to fix those issues in the transfer window, but as things stand, the manager is up against it.
Our best XI is: Alisson; Bradley, Araujo, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szboszlai, Wirtz; Rio, Gakpo, Isak
This season I’d be happy with… a top-four finish and silverware.
ADAM BEATTIE @beatts94
Predicted finish: Third. Iraola has by no means been dealt a perfect hand, but there are plenty of reasons to believe that this season could be a struggle for most of the top teams.
If we make a solid start, there is no reason to think a proper challenge is out of the question. A transition season isn’t enough.
Top goalscorer: If it’s not Alexander Isak, then things haven’t gone to plan!
3D0G50G LEVERKUSEN - Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain at the Bay Arena on October 21, 2025, in Leverkusen, Germany. ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / Bart Stoutjesdijk
3D0G50G LEVERKUSEN - Bradley Barcola of Paris Saint-Germain during the UEFA Champions League match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Paris Saint-Germain at the Bay Arena on October 21, 2025, in Leverkusen, Germany. ANP / Hollandse Hoogte / Bart Stoutjesdijk
Player of the year: Bradley Barcola. I’m speaking it into existence.
The biggest concern is… lack of cover almost everywhere.
Right now we are relying on being seriously fortunate with injuries, and if things don’t go to plan, I’m not sure the fans are going to have a great deal of sympathy.
Our best XI is: Alisson; Bradley, Araujo, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
This season I’d be happy with… top three and a decent run in Europe would be just about passable.
I’ve got no interest in excuses. I don’t expect us to win the title, but writing off another 12 months is inexcusable, and we have to at least look like a team capable of challenging.
JOANNA DURKAN @JoannaDurkan_
Predicted finish: 3rd
Top goalscorer: Isak, has to be.
Player of the year: It feels like a wildcard but I’m hoping he’ll be a revelation, Munoz.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Víctor Muñoz during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The biggest concern is… where do I start?
The lack of squad depth (I’m sure I won’t be the only one to say this) is deeply concerning, a few injuries are we are in a precarious spot.
This had to be the year to get a specialist No. 6, but there are no signs of that happening.
Our best XI is: if everyone was fit it would be:
Alisson; Bradley, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Munoz, Wirtz, Ekitike; Isak
I’m happy to revisit this if Barcola arrives…
This season I’d be happy with… finishing in the top four, and simply enjoying the footy again.
MATT LADSON @mattladson
Predicted finish: 4th
Top goalscorer: Isak – surely.
Player of the year: Wirtz – he has to come alive this year.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
The biggest concern is… right-back and a backup to Isak. Plus a more defensive midfielder.
Our best XI is: Alisson, Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak
This season I’d be happy with… entertaining football and clear progress being made. Expectations are severely tempered.