Agreement in place as Liverpool make move for Marc Guéhi under Arne Slot

 

 

Although Liverpool’s current campaign has fallen short of expectations, 2025 will remain unforgettable for the club after Arne Slot guided the Reds to a historic 20th league title. Liverpool stormed to the Premier League crown in emphatic fashion, giving supporters the long-awaited chance—35 years on—to celebrate being champions of England once again.

As the year draws to a close, Blood Red, the Liverpool ECHO’s monthly LFC publication, asked its writers to reflect on the standout moments of 2025 while also looking ahead to what they hope 2026 will bring, especially with signs of recovery beginning to emerge on the pitch.

Selecting a player of the year proved difficult due to the stark contrast between the two halves of the calendar year. Still, Dominik Szoboszlai emerged as the most consistent performer overall. His influence during the latter stages of last season was crucial in securing the title, and despite recent dips, his contributions remain undeniable.

Picking the moment of the year was far more straightforward. The unforgettable 5-1 demolition of Tottenham Hotspur in April, which sealed the title, stands out above all else. From the build-up and the team bus arrival to the final whistle and the celebrations both inside Anfield and across the city, it was a day that will live forever in Liverpool folklore—arguably the greatest in the club’s modern history.

There were several memorable goals in 2025, including stunning efforts from Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister, but the strike that now carries the most meaning is Diogo Jota’s winner against Everton in April. It edged Liverpool closer to the title, secured another Merseyside derby victory, and tragically became the final goal of his career. He remains deeply missed.

Looking ahead to recruitment, while Alexander Isak’s injury might point toward the need for another forward, strengthening at centre-back is seen as the greater priority. Relieving the load on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté is vital, and a renewed move for Marc Guéhi—who nearly arrived in September—would make sense.

Conor Bradley’s Liverpool career has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries, but if he can maintain fitness, he has the potential to become a key figure. Similarly, Curtis Jones is showing signs of developing into the player many believed he could be, and could soon establish himself as a regular starter.

Liverpool’s Champions League prospects may hinge on the draw, but there is growing belief the squad is better equipped to reach the latter stages. In the Premier League, improvement feels inevitable, with a third-place finish likely behind Arsenal and Manchester City. The FA Cup, however, may take a back seat, especially with squad rotation expected in the early rounds.

One of the most remarkable individual moments of the year came from Rio Ngumoha, who became Liverpool’s youngest-ever goalscorer just days before his 17th birthday. His dramatic 100th-minute winner showed composure well beyond his years and will be remembered for a long time.

Despite a quieter current season and a public disagreement with Arne Slot, Mohamed Salah’s achievements last year should not be overlooked. He was Liverpool’s standout performer during the title-winning campaign, producing extraordinary numbers and finishing the season with 20 goal contributions in the second half alone, along with sweeping the individual awards.

Alexis Mac Allister’s thunderous strike against Spurs also deserves special mention. His long-range effort ignited Anfield after Liverpool had fallen behind and effectively launched the title celebrations, sending the stadium into raptures.

In terms of current form, Hugo Ekitike has emerged as one of Liverpool’s brightest performers. After a difficult spell earlier in the season, he rediscovered his rhythm in December, scoring decisive goals and stepping up as the club’s leading striker following Isak’s injury.

Realistically, the title race now appears beyond Liverpool, but Champions League qualification remains well within reach. With new signings settling and performances improving, the second half of the season promises to be far more stable—and perhaps far more rewarding—than the first.