The 2025-26 Premier League campaign was a bitter pill for Liverpool FC fans to swallow, a season where the defending champions dramatically fell short of expectations, leaving a trail of questions for Arne Slot's new era. From a hopeful start to a lukewarm finish with a 1-1 draw against Brentford, the Reds never truly challenged for silverware, signaling a drastic slip in standards across the board.
Key Season Takeaways for Liverpool
- Dominik Szoboszlai stood out as the undisputed Player of the Season, delivering crucial goals and assists.
- Star signings like Alexis Mac Allister and Alexander Isak endured deeply disappointing, injury-riddled campaigns.
- Availability issues plagued key players like Alisson and Conor Bradley, disrupting team cohesion.
- The defensive unit was a major concern, leaking a staggering 78 goals in the league.
Shines Amidst the Gloom: Standout Performers
Not every player succumbed to the collective malaise. Some individuals fought hard to maintain their personal standards or unexpectedly rose to the occasion.
Dominik Szoboszlai: The Engine That Could (Rating: 8/10)
Undisputedly Liverpool's player of the season, Dominik Szoboszlai was a force of nature. Despite some in-game errors and questionable fan interactions, his remarkable 13 goals and 12 assists, including five direct free-kicks, showcased a player desperate to make a difference. His relentless defensive effort, even if not always perfect, was a rare consistent beacon for Arne Slot's side.
Milos Kerkez: Growing into the Role (Rating: 7/10)
Left-back Milos Kerkez began shakily but transformed into one of Liverpool's most consistent performers. He ironed out his early rashness, demonstrating passion and commitment that bodes well for his Anfield future. His growth was a quiet success story in an otherwise turbulent season.
Virgil van Dijk: Defensive Colossus Despite the Chaos (Rating: 7/10)
Captain Virgil van Dijk had a curious campaign. Statistically, he remained one of England's premier centre-backs, yet he marshaled a defense that shipped an alarming 78 goals. To his immense credit, the 34-year-old featured in 55 of 58 games, bagging eight goals and three assists. His enduring class and availability were remarkable, hinting at more top years if the team structure improves.
The Strikers' Struggle: Attackers Under Scrutiny
Goals dried up, performances dipped, and frustration mounted as Liverpool's vaunted attack struggled to find its rhythm and clinical edge.
Mohamed Salah: A Legend Below His Own Bar (Rating: 5/10)
For most players, 12 goals and 10 assists is a respectable return. For Mohamed Salah, it was a significant drop from his usual astronomical standards (34g, 23a the previous season). Though still a creative force and an undeniable club legend, injuries crept in, and he couldn't consistently drag Liverpool to results as he once did. His presence and sheer availability have been impossible to replace, making his dip particularly impactful.
Alexander Isak: An Expensive Enigma (Rating: 4/10)
The £125 million man, Alexander Isak, had a dreadful first season. Plagued by persistent injuries, he never looked fully fit, managing just four goals. His campaign was tragically cut short by a broken leg while scoring away at Tottenham. He is quickly becoming a very expensive mistake.
Federico Chiesa & Cody Gakpo: Fading Impact (Ratings: 4/10 & 5/10)
Federico Chiesa's season started brightly with a winner against Bournemouth but quickly nose-dived. Consistently ineffective off the bench, a departure seems necessary. Cody Gakpo also saw a significant decline, his nine goals and six assists (15 total contributions) a noticeable drop from the previous season, frustrating fans with his inconsistent displays.
Midfield Muddle: Hits and Misses
The engine room struggled for consistency, with some players failing to adapt and others hampered by external factors.
Alexis Mac Allister: A Disastrous Dip (Rating: 3/10)
Alexis Mac Allister endured a desperately bad season, a stark contrast to his previous stellar campaigns. Despite five goals and seven assists, including a late winner at Nottingham Forest, his overall performances were dire. He often looked physically unequipped for the Premier League's demands, raising serious questions despite his 27 years.
Florian Wirtz & Ryan Gravenberch: Potential Unfulfilled (Ratings: 6/10 Each)
Florian Wirtz's 17 goal contributions were decent, but he failed to become the cornerstone expected post-Salah. He lacked the authority to consistently influence games. Ryan Gravenberch saw a drop in performance levels from the title-winning season, though he was asked to play a different role. His six goals and six assists showed increased attacking influence.
Wataru Endo & Curtis Jones: Underused & Divisive (Ratings: 6/10 Each)
Veteran Wataru Endo's season was cut short by injury, and he was arguably underused by Arne Slot, making only one Premier League start despite his defensive effort. Curtis Jones, a divisive figure, showed flashes of being one of the squad's most progressive passers and versatile players, but struggled for consistent impact.
Defensive Dilemmas: A Backline Under Pressure
Beyond Van Dijk, the defensive unit, including goalkeepers, faced significant challenges with injuries and inconsistent form.
Alisson & Mamardashvili: Goalkeeping Conundrum (Ratings: 6/10 & 5/10)
Alisson's biggest issue was his availability, limited to just 35 appearances as injuries took their toll. A sad potential farewell if this is his last Liverpool season. New signing Giorgi Mamardashvili had an unconvincing debut season, with his distribution needing significant improvement, failing to live up to statistical promise.
Ibrahima Konate & Joe Gomez: Inconsistent Contributions (Ratings: 5/10 & 6/10)
Ibrahima Konate showed flashes of brilliance midway through the season but spent too much time performing below his best, prone to costly mistakes. Joe Gomez again battled his biggest enemy: injuries. When available, he was generally consistent, but his absence deeply impacted depth.
Jeremie Frimpong & Conor Bradley: Right-Back Struggles (Ratings: 4/10 & 6/10)
Jeremie Frimpong's debut season was deeply disappointing; his pace didn't compensate for defensive or offensive shortcomings. Conor Bradley showed sensational form, particularly against Real Madrid, but a serious knee injury curtailed his campaign, limiting him to just 21 appearances.
Promising Futures: Youthful Flashes
Amidst the senior team's struggles, glimpses of future talent offered a modicum of hope.
Hugo Ekitike & Rio Ngumoha: Bright Spots (Ratings: 7/10 Each)
Hugo Ekitike emerged as arguably the club's best summer signing, racking up 17 goals and six assists. However, a severe Achilles injury marred his season, raising concerns about his return to top form. Young player of the season Rio Ngumoha impressed with a 99th-minute winner against Newcastle and a lovely goal against Fulham, showcasing raw talent and a big future.
What Lies Ahead: A Critical Summer for Anfield
The 2025-26 season for Liverpool was a harsh lesson in the demands of competing at the top. With significant underperformance from key players and the looming shadow of injuries, Arne Slot faces a monumental task in the upcoming transfer window to reshape a squad that, by its own high standards, simply wasn't good enough.
