It's been just over a fortnight since Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy, much to the delight of the club's fans.
While transfer talk is now in the air, the 2024-25 season remains an unforgettable chapter in the club's history. The head coach, Arne Slot, and sporting director Richard Hughes are on a mission to bolster Liverpool's dominance in the upcoming season.
The Reds have already sealed deals for goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili and dynamic right-back Jeremie Frimpong, with left-back Milos Kerkez and playmaker Florian Wirtz poised to join. The latter could potentially break the club's transfer record with his move from Bayer Leverkusen.
Despite the buzz around new signings, Liverpool supporters are still revelling in the team's championship glory. Mohamed Salah was instrumental in Liverpool's triumph, clinching both the Golden Boot and Playmaker awards with an outstanding tally of 29 goals and 18 assists.
Yet, according to one ex-Premier League champion, Liverpool's most crucial player was not Salah but rather Alexis Mac Allister. Former Chelsea defender William Gallas, when discussing his players of the season, highlighted: "You have to look towards the team that won the title, and I really rate the contribution of Alexis Mac Allister at Liverpool.
"He's had a great season. He never really gets spoken about too much, but he's always there, doing his job. He's someone that I think has been exceptional.
Alexis Mac Allister has become one of Liverpool's key players
Alexis Mac Allister has become one of Liverpool's key players (Image: Getty Images)
"He might not be showy, maybe he doesn't grab the headlines, but he is a class midfield player and he has delivered at times when his club needed him.
"The best defender of the year has to be, for me, Virgil van Dijk. I don't think we've seen the best version of Van Dijk this season, but he has got really close to that imperious version and, quite simply, there isn't another center-back in the Premier League that comes close to him this season.
"He lifted the title with his club. He was a boss at the back, and, crucially, he helped his defensive line out. He's a brilliant communicator who improves the players around him.
"The impact that he has had on Ibrahima Konate's game is there for everyone to see."
Following Van Dijk and Salah's contract extensions, which put an end to speculation about their futures, the focus now shifts to securing Konate's future, with only a year left on his current deal.
There is also talk of rewarding Slot with a new contract after his remarkable first season at the helm of the Reds.
When questioned about his hero of the season, Gallas, a two-time title winner with Chelsea who also played for Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur, revealed to Prime Casino: "I have to give one man a lot of credit, and that's Arne Slot.
"He's been so impressive, winning the Premier League on his first attempt with Liverpool. So, I have to put him down."
The Reds, as well as their counterparts across the league, will be all ears for the 2025-26 Premier League fixtures announcement come Wednesday, June 18.