Liverpool headed into the 2025-26 season widely seen as favourites to defend the Premier League title. They ended the season just barely sneaking into the Champions League places. Worse, they played consistently dull, dire, and uninspiring football along the way to get there.
Expectations are a lot lower heading into 2026-27 as a result, and with sporting director Richard Hughes having so far failed to make the necessary signings in the transfer market they are if anything a weaker squad today than
the one that ended last season.
The arrival of new head coach Andoni Iraola, though, brings with it hopes that there will at least be a more energetic and attractive brand of football on offer. And Liverpool still have a talented side including captain Virgil van Dijk, who is calling on his teammates to rise to the challenge.
“If you aren’t up for the challenge then you aren’t at the right place,” Van Dijk said. “What I feel at the moment is everybody is up for the challenge, so let’s see how we go about it but I’m really looking forward to this season. I don’t feel we have a point to prove to anyone.
“We just have to show how much we care, how much we want to fight, and also to realise how privileged we are to play for Liverpool. If you look at Bournemouth last year, they were exciting. So I would say if we keep working, keep believing, keep showing our quality, staying fit, then we can be exciting.
“That’s the aim. That’s what we have to fight for. But we all know how tough it is. We all know how tough it is to be playing Premier League football every week and to be playing on all four fronts, but you have to embrace it. You have to enjoy the ride.
The ride begins for the Reds on Sunday when they travel to face Newcastle United, and at this stage it’s unlikely any new signings would be ready to play in that match even if Hughes can get them across the line—something that seems in greater doubt with every passing day.
In the meantime, though, and no matter what happens in the market between now and September 1st, this group have the talent to be better than last season. More signings are needed, but also better application from those on hand. And the players at least can control the latter.
“We are all so blessed here and we have to keep going and enjoy it, and I encourage everyone to do that as well,” he added. “That’s what I keep saying to the boys as well so let’s see. But we need a squad that is able to compete on all four fronts, that’s the only way to try to be successful.
“So let’s see what the last couple of weeks of the transfer window will bring and then let’s go for it.”
