As Liverpool prepare to defend their Premier League title, how are This Is Anfield ‘s contributors backing them to fare in 2025/26?
The Reds open their account with Friday’s visit of Bournemouth, as Arne Slot‘s side go in search of title No. 21.
Here are This Is Anfield‘s regular contributors’ Liverpool predictions for 2025/26 – who do you agree and disagree with?
Matt Ladson
Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike (centre) celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game with team-mates during the FA Community Shield match at Wembley Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday August 10, 2025.
Predicted finish: 1st
Top goalscorer: Ekitike (or Isak!)
Player of the year: Wirtz
The biggest concern is…getting a centre-back in
Our best XI is: Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Virgil, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo.
This season I’d be happy with…a Champions League and Premier League double, thank you please!
@mattladson
Joanna Durkan
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Predicted finish: 1st
Top goalscorer: Salah
Player of the year: Wirtz
The biggest concern is…addressing the glaring need for reinforcement at centre-back. We cannot be relying on midfielders and full-backs to plug the gaps. Been there, done that.
Our best XI is: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
This season I’d be happy with…either the Premier League title or the Champions League, I’m not picky. Whatever the case, we need to reach at least the semi-finals in Europe.
@JoannaDurkan_
Sam Millne
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's captain Mohamed Salah during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Predicted finish: 1st
Top goalscorer: Salah
Player of the year: Salah
The biggest concern is…our lack of centre-back options at the time of writing.
Our best XI is: Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
This season I’d be happy with…winning the Premier League or the Champions League! Given the money we have spent this summer, we need to.
@sam_millne
Henry Jackson
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk and Jeremie Frimpong during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Predicted finish: Champions, as long as injuries don’t hurt us. A long-term Van Dijk injury changes everything.
Top goalscorer: Salah
Player of the year: Wirtz. He’s special.
The biggest concern is…as many as saying, a lack of depth at centre-back. Oh, and Man City and Arsenal coming back stronger!
Our best XI is: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike (or Isak!).
This season I’d be happy with…winning the Champions League. Giving up the title would obviously be disappointing, but I’d just about consider trading it for Europe’s top prize!
@HenryJackson87
James Nalton
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Predicted finish: 2nd
Top goalscorer: Salah
Player of the year: Wirtz
The biggest concern is…defence, including in front of the back four and current centre-back depth.
Our best XI is: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike.
This season I’d be happy with…a strong league title challenge with the possibility of winning it, and a cup win.
@JDNalton
Peter Bolster
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah clapping the supporters after the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Predicted finish: Champions
Top goalscorer: Salah
Player of the year: Wirtz
The biggest concern is…making sure that we don’t drop vital points early on while the team is gelling.
And the obvious concern of the lack of numbers in both attack and at the back. But I do think Liverpool will rectify that problem, in terms of numbers.
Our best XI is: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Macca, Wirtz; Salah, Gakpo, Ekitike.
This season I’d be happy with…the league title and the last four of the Champions League.
But when you get to the last four, you might as well go win it.
@peter_bolster
Danny Gallagher
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, August 4, 2025: Liverpool's Milos Kerkez applauds the supporters after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Athletic Bilbao at Anfield. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Predicted finish: Champions
Top goalscorer: Mo Salah
Player of the year: Ryan Gravenberch
The biggest concern is…the cohesiveness of the modified defence, and how quickly this can be ironed out.
There will be lots of demands upon the shoulders of new boys Kerkez and Frimpong, and any injuries to the centre-backs could be a hammer blow to the Reds’ campaign if another recruit isn’t brought on board in time.
Our best XI is: Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike
This season I’d be happy with…a serious, sustained run in the Champions League. I feel Liverpool will be hell-bent on retaining the title and building upon number 20, particularly for Diogo Jota.
But a Champions League run is what this club craves right now. It doesn’t have to be pretty, and Arne Slot will know that.
Liverpool have the personnel and experience to do some serious damage in the latter stages of the competition
@Danny7Gallagher
Mo Stewart
LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 10, 2025: Liverpool’s Florian Wirtz during the FA Community Shield match between Crystal Palace FC and Liverpool FC at Wembley Stadium. Palace won 3-1 on penalties after a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Predicted finish: Champions, but closer than last year.
Top goalscorer: Salah
Player of the year: Wirtz has a very good chance, as will Bukayo Saka and Erling Haaland. That’s the top three.
The biggest concern is…Liverpool continue to look open at the back. The way this league is stacked with counter-attackers could make that a fatal flaw.
Wider league concern – the handball rule continues to ruin games.
Our best XI is…not going to be decided until September 2nd at the earliest!
This season I’d be happy with…one of the big two trophies, and no serious injuries.
@The_Mighty_Mojo