Liverpool: Ready to defend the title? Key analysis before the Premier

Liverpool Gears Up for the New Season: Analysis and Expectations

Just 75 days after Liverpool lifted the Premier League trophy, the new season is already just around the corner. Although the official start of the 2025-26 campaign will be at home against Bournemouth on August 15, next weekend will offer a valuable assessment of the team’s form. The match against Crystal Palace in the FA Community Shield will serve as a key barometer. This match, a century-old tradition that pits the English league champions against the FA Cup winners, will be played at Wembley. Despite the debate about its importance as a trophy, the Community Shield allows teams to hone their preparation in a competitive environment, with the attendance of around 90,000 fans. Liverpool has won this title 16 times, while Palace will play for the first time in this event. But, what can we expect from Liverpool this new season?

What Liverpool Learned in the Preseason

Not participating in the revamped Club World Cup, Liverpool had the opportunity to enjoy a more extended rest period before starting preparations for the new season. On the field, the preseason has been successful, with five wins in six matches, scoring a total of 20 goals for and 9 against. The only defeat was against AC Milan.

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The Slot team toured Asia, attracting crowds in both Hong Kong and Japan, and most of the squad had valuable minutes in the double match against Athletic Club at Anfield. Fluid, possession-based play has been seen, showing glimpses of Slot’s style. While there is room for improvement in defense, the identity of Liverpool’s game is clear, despite changes in the squad. Off the field, the team has faced a considerable challenge following the deaths of Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva in a car accident last month. Tributes have been paid and measures have been implemented to support staff during their mourning.

“If we want to laugh, we laugh; if we want to cry, we’re going to cry,” Slot told LFCTV last month. “If [the players] want to train, they can train; if they don’t want to train, they don’t train. But be yourselves. Don’t think you have to be different from what your emotions dictate.”

Arne Slot

Although Liverpool has handled the tragedy with care, the impact of Diogo Jota’s death will be felt for a long time.

Arne Slot has had a busy pre-season with many changes in the squad. Sunday will tell us a lot about the Reds’ form.Carl Recine/Getty Images

How Have the New Signings Adapted?

It’s unusual to see so many changes in a team after winning a title, but the summer promised to be key for Liverpool. With Federico Chiesa as the only signing the previous summer, the need to renew was evident. The club has spent more than £250 million on new players. Among them, Florian Wirtz stands out, who chose Liverpool over Bayern Munich in a deal that could reach 116 million pounds. Wirtz, 22 years old, has already shown his talent, scoring his first goal in the 3-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan. Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have also adapted quickly, as has Giorgi Mamardashvili, who impressed in his first appearances. Hugo Ekitike also stood out against Athletic Club after his transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt. Despite the large investments, the star of the preseason has been 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha, who arrived from Chelsea’s youth academy in 2024. Ngumoha has scored three goals this summer and seems to be in Slot’s plans.

What’s Left to Do in the Transfer Market?

While the new signings seem to be adapting well, Liverpool lacks depth in central defense to compete in multiple competitions.In addition to arrivals, there have been significant departures. Luis Díaz joined Bayern Munich, and Darwin Núñez could go to Al Hilal. Chiesa could also seek more minutes. Liverpool are looking for a new attacker, and Alexander Isak from Newcastle United is one of the main targets, although a bid of £110 million was rejected. Liverpool also needs to reinforce the defense after Jarell Quansah’s departure to Leverkusen. With Virgil van Dijk about to turn 34 and Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konaté with injury problems, the need for a new central defender is clear. The weekend’s match against Crystal Palace will be an opportunity to observe Marc Guéhi, one of Liverpool’s targets, who has one year left on his contract with Palace. However, a transfer will depend on whether the financial conditions are met.

1:16 Moreno analyzes Liverpool’s midfield weaknesses after the 3-2 victory against Athletic Club in the preseason.

How the Party Could Set the Tone for the Season

The result of Sunday’s match will not define Liverpool’s preparation, but it will offer valuable information. Although it is a friendly, the main objective is to avoid injuries and improve physical fitness. The possibility of winning a trophy increases the intensity. For Palace, winning another title after the FA Cup would be an incentive. Oliver Glasner’s team will seek to give their fans another memorable day at Wembley, and Liverpool will have to match their intensity to win. A defeat would give ammunition to Liverpool’s detractors. A victory would be a statement of intent before a season in which all teams will seek to defeat them. Winning the Premier League has made Liverpool the team to beat. This weekend they will have the opportunity to prove that they are up to the task.