Our Liverpool FC writers have predicted how the Reds and their rivals will fare as the 2025/26 campaign gets ready to kick off
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, kisses the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, kisses the Premier League trophy, as Liverpool are crowned the Champions of the Premier League for the 2024/25 Season, following the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Crystal Palace FC at Anfield on May 25, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Arne Slot, head coach of Liverpool, kisses the Premier League trophy(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
The new Premier League season begins this evening. And, for Liverpool, it will mark the start of the defence of a title won emphatically during Arne Slot's debut campaign in charge.
The Reds have not been resting on their laurels, with almost £300million spent on new signings and the prospect of even more to come before the transfer window closes on September 1.
Renowned for being one of the most unpredictable leagues in the world, second-guessing how the Premier League campaign will play out is no simple task. But, here at the ECHO, we have attempted just that and share below what we believe will be in store during 2025/26.
Paul Gorst
Where will Liverpool finish
Having spent well over £300m to add to a squad that already won the Premier League by 10 points, even the most anti-Liverpool football fan might concede Arne Slot's men are the team to beat.
So I expect the Reds to enter the season as firm favourites in a manner that has rarely been the case in the current guise of English football's top flight. Back to back titles has to be the objective for Slot.
Liverpool player of the season
Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will once more take the lions' share of the plaudits if the Reds are to triumph but I think Alexis Mac Allister will make things tick in midfield alongside Ryan Gravenberch and the Argentina international will be Slot's standout player this season.
He is now a trusted lieutenant in the engine room for Slot and entering his third campaign on Merseyside, it just feels like he is about to take on even more seniority in there. If Liverpool are to be successful this term, Mac Allister will have to shine.
Premier League Golden Boot
Having struggled in a more general sense last term, Manchester City will be a much improved prospect, which will surely mean Erling Haaland will provide Mohamed Salah with considerable competition for the gong.
Alexander Isak might trouble the standings too, depending on who he is playing for. Haaland will win it for me.
Premier League Player of the Year
Mac Allister will have been at his best for Liverpool to win the Premier League but if that is to happen, I suspect he will be overlooked in favour of more eye-catching performances from the likes of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. On that note, I think Reds skipper Van Dijk will come out on top after another imperious campaign.
Top four prediction
Liverpool, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea.
Bottom three prediction
Burnley, Leeds United, Brentford.
Champions League winner
Real Madrid.
Ian Doyle
Where will Liverpool finish
There's a reason the Reds haven't retained a trophy in 42 years. It's not easy. And the level of difficulty has been increased by an overhaul of the squad, regardless of how talented the new players are that have arrived. It is going to take time for everyone to gel, and in a title campaign teams don't often get that. Factor in the inevitable emotional impact of Diogo Jota's death - and that will arrive at some point, whether collectively or individually - and Liverpool face a real challenge to win the title. If they can hit the ground running, they are the best team. And there are few doubts they will have clicked together by Christmas. But if that is delayed, third place might be their best bet. If they start well, Slot's side should be champions again. It's impossible to call right now.
Liverpool player of the season
Another tough one. Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will all be as influential as ever, and the new recruits will be extremely keen to impress. But this time around I'm going for Alexis Mac Allister. If the Argentina international has a good season, then Liverpool will have one.
Liverpool breakout star this season
The obvious answer here is Rio Ngumoha given his pre-season showings, but I have an inkling his fellow teenager, Trey Nyoni, will make the most of any minutes he is given in midfield. The League Cup and parts of the opening Champions League stage should provide an opportunity.
Premier League Golden Boot
Say Erling Haaland here and you're always in with a good shout.
Premier League Player of the Year
Moises Caicedo of Chelsea looks like he could be in the mood. But if things go to plan, Liverpool record signing Florian Wirtz may be the one to shine.
Top four prediction
Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur will be miles better than last season, Newcastle United and Aston Villa will be worse. So the top four will be Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City. Don't be surprised if Chelsea are clear after the opening weeks, but it'll be interesting to see how they cope when their summer endeavours catch up with them. I know I said it last year, but this season really IS now or never for Arsenal's title chances. If Liverpool don't start well, it's the Gunners' to lose. The pressure is on them to deliver.
Bottom three prediction
It's easy to say the three promoted teams will go straight back down. So I will - Leeds United will give it a go, Burnley will try to bore their way to safety and Sunderland could well be the new Southampton. Of the rest, Brentford and Wolves might find it difficult, along with West Ham United.
Champions League winner
The reasons Liverpool might struggle to retain the Premier League title are the same that suggest they could be a good bet for the Champions League. They should be stronger in the second half of the season and if they can negotiate the opening stage, they have a real chance.
Europa League winner
The lack of Sevilla for a second successive year makes this a very difficult one to call. Aston Villa and Feyenoord are therefore the teams to look out for. Let's say Villa.
Theo Squires
Where will Liverpool finish
On paper, Liverpool are favourites to win the Premier League title. They're the defending champions, they've enjoyed an incredible transfer window to date and they could bolster their squad even more impressively before the deadline, should be successful in pursuits of Alexander Isak and Marc Guehi.
But the title is not won on paper. It will take time for Arne Slot's new-look Reds to gel, and it would be naïve to think the emotional impact from losing Diogo Jota won't rear its head at some point. Consequently, this season will be Liverpool's toughest challenge yet.
Man City will come back stronger after a disappointing campaign last time out, while Chelsea come into the campaign as World champions. Their FIFA Club World Cup exploits will probably take their toll at some point, but you would back the pair to start the season well.
And then there is Arsenal, looking to shed their 'always the bridesmaid' tag once and for all. All three have also spent significantly this summer, ensuring there is a new-look feel right across the Premier League title hopefuls.
Whichever side beds in their new signings best and quickest should emerge as likely champions.
Liverpool can win the league this season, but whether they will, I'm not so sure. While they're not done in the transfer window just yet, I'll go for a pessimistic runners-up spot for now.
Liverpool player of the season
Florian Wirtz. Mohamed Salah is another year older and I would be surprised if he reach the same lofty heights as last season, especially with a mid-season Africa Cup of Nations looming.
Liverpool's new club-record signing has caught the eye in pre-season and could be the man to take on the mantle.
Liverpool breakout star this season
Hugo Ekitike. I've liked what I've seen from the Frenchman so far. He reminds me of Fernando Torres with how he moves, the pace and strength, and he's already shown glimpses of linking up with his new team-mates really well.
He followed up a great assist against Bilbao with an even better debut goal against Crystal Palace. Hopefully a sign of things to come from the £79m man.
The Reds' interest in Isak has seen the Frenchman left overlooked slightly, but he was no back-up option. Even if Liverpool sign the Swede, I expect Ekitike to have a big impact at Anfield this season.
Premier League Golden Boot
It won't be Mohamed Salah, given he'll be off to the Africa Cup of Nations in December and January. I'll go for Erling Haaland.
Premier League Player of the Year
A star player from the would-be Premier League champions, whoever that might be,. Wirtz from Liverpool, Haaland from Man City, Cole Palmer from Chelsea or Declan Rice from Arsenal.
Top four prediction
Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal.
Bottom three prediction
Wolves, Sunderland, Burnley.
Champions League winner
Barcelona. The Catalans, Liverpool and Arsenal should be the favourites if we're assuming that the sides who spent their summer at the FIFA Club World Cup suffer burnout during the second half of the campaign.
Liverpool should go further than their round-of-16 exit last season. If the new signings settle in well, there is no reason to believe they can't go deep into the tournament.
But with Barcelona reaching the semi-finals last season, I'm backing them to go all the way this year. Lamine Yamal is a year older and they're already a settled side under Hansi Flick.
Europa League winner
Don't know, don't care. Liverpool aren't in it. They can't drop down into it anymore either. Want to ask me who can win the Vertu Trophy too while we're at it? At least the Reds will have a side entered in that.