Liverpool Football Club
the Reds.

Liverpool First-Team Squad

Arne Slot’s Reds are captained by world-class defender Virgil van Dijk and rebuilt around an exciting new attack featuring German playmaker Florian Wirtz, striker Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike. Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch anchor the midfield, with Alisson Becker in goal.

Squad correct as of the summer 2026 window, which runs until 1 September — numbers and personnel may change. Follow every Liverpool fixture and prediction at AI Pro Prediction and our Champions League predictions hub.

Liverpool: A Complete Guide to the Reds

Origins and Identity

Liverpool Football Club was founded in 1892 by John Houlding, following a dispute at Everton, and quickly established itself as a force in English football. From its earliest days playing at Anfield — a ground that would become one of the most famous and atmospheric stadiums in world football — Liverpool grew into one of the most successful and storied institutions in the history of the game, both in England and across Europe.

Known simply as the Reds, Liverpool are renowned for the extraordinary passion of their support and the unbreakable bond between the team and the fans. The club’s anthem, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, sung by the Kop before every home match, is one of the most iconic and moving traditions in world sport, capturing the spirit of unity and defiance that defines Liverpool. The club’s history, marked by triumph and tragedy alike, has forged an identity rooted in solidarity, resilience and a deep connection to the city of Liverpool.

You’ll Never Walk Alone: More Than a Motto

The anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, adopted by Liverpool supporters in the 1960s, has become synonymous with the club and is one of the most powerful traditions in world sport. Sung by the Kop before every home match, the song captures the spirit of solidarity, hope and defiance that defines Liverpool Football Club and the city it represents. Its words have taken on profound meaning through the club’s history, particularly in the aftermath of tragedy.

The phrase is emblazoned on the Shankly Gates at Anfield and is woven into the very identity of the club. For Liverpool supporters, it is far more than a song; it is a statement of unity and belonging, a bond between the team, the fans and the city that has endured through triumph and tragedy alike. The emotional power of tens of thousands of supporters singing the anthem in unison is one of the defining images of football, and it embodies everything that Liverpool Football Club stands for.

The City of Liverpool

Liverpool Football Club is inextricably linked with the identity, culture and history of the city of Liverpool. A proud, working-class city with a rich musical and cultural heritage and a distinctive character, Liverpool has always been fiercely proud of its football clubs. The club represents the values, resilience and solidarity of the city and its people, and the bond between Liverpool FC and its community is one of the strongest in world football.

The club’s history, marked by the tragedies of Heysel and Hillsborough and the long fight for justice, has forged an unbreakable connection between the club and the city. Liverpool FC is a source of enormous pride for the people of Merseyside, and its success and its values reflect the spirit of the city. This deep-rooted connection to place and community is a fundamental part of what makes Liverpool one of the most special and beloved institutions in the game.

The Shankly Revolution

The foundations of Liverpool’s greatness were laid by the legendary manager Bill Shankly, who took charge in 1959 when the club was languishing in the Second Division. A charismatic and visionary figure, Shankly transformed Liverpool from a struggling side into the dominant force in English football, winning league titles and the FA Cup and establishing the culture, values and identity that would define the club for generations. His famous quotes and his deep connection with the supporters made him a beloved and iconic figure.

Shankly built more than just a successful team; he created the famous ‘Boot Room’, a coaching philosophy and continuity of methods that would sustain Liverpool’s success for decades. His establishment of Anfield as a fortress, his forging of the bond between the team and the Kop, and his instillation of a winning mentality laid the groundwork for the era of unprecedented dominance that would follow. Shankly is rightly regarded as the father of the modern Liverpool, and his legacy remains central to the club’s identity.

Liverpool Season-by-Season: Recent Premier League Record

The table below charts Liverpool’s Premier League finishes across recent seasons, illustrating the sustained success of the Jürgen Klopp era, the title triumph under Arne Slot in his debut campaign, and the more challenging 2025–26 season that nonetheless secured a return to the Champions League.

As the data shows, Liverpool were one of the dominant forces in English football under Klopp, winning the title in 2019–20 with a remarkable 99 points, before Arne Slot delivered the championship in his first season in charge in 2024–25. The 2025–26 campaign proved more difficult, with a fifth-placed finish amid a period of transition, but Champions League qualification through England’s European Performance Spot ensured the Reds returned to Europe’s top table.

The Paisley Dynasty and European Domination

Building on the foundations laid by Shankly, his successor Bob Paisley oversaw the most successful era in Liverpool’s history and one of the greatest in the history of English football. Between 1974 and 1983, Paisley won an astonishing collection of trophies, including multiple league titles and, most famously, three European Cups. He remains one of the most decorated managers in the history of the game, and his understated brilliance transformed Liverpool into the dominant force in European football.

Liverpool’s success continued under Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish, and the club won a fourth European Cup in 1984. Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool were the pre-eminent club in England and one of the finest in Europe, playing a brand of intelligent, effective football and boasting a succession of legendary players. This era of dominance established Liverpool as a genuine giant of the world game and created the winning tradition that remains central to the club’s identity and expectations.

King Kenny and the Boot Room

Kenny Dalglish holds a unique place in Liverpool’s history as both a legendary player and a successful manager. ‘King Kenny’, signed to replace Kevin Keegan in 1977, became one of the greatest players ever to represent the club, his skill, vision and goals central to Liverpool’s dominance. As player-manager from 1985, he led the club to further league titles and FA Cup success, guiding Liverpool with distinction and compassion through the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster.

The famous ‘Boot Room’ was the beating heart of Liverpool’s success, a modest room at Anfield where the coaching staff, from Shankly’s era onwards, discussed tactics, shared knowledge and maintained the continuity of methods and philosophy that sustained the club’s dominance across decades. This tradition of promoting from within and preserving the club’s footballing identity was a key factor in the remarkable success of the 1970s and 1980s, and it remains a cherished part of Liverpool’s heritage.

The Dark Years and the Long Wait

Following the glory of the 1970s and 1980s, Liverpool endured a prolonged period without a league title. Despite continuing to win cups and competing near the top of the table, the Reds were unable to reclaim the championship as Manchester United and later others dominated the newly formed Premier League. The wait for a league title would stretch to 30 years, a source of enormous frustration for a club and a fanbase accustomed to success.

Throughout these years, Liverpool remained a major force, winning FA Cups, League Cups and, memorably, the 2005 Champions League, but the elusive league title continued to escape them. The long wait made the eventual triumph under Jürgen Klopp in 2020 all the more emotional and cathartic, ending three decades of yearning and restoring Liverpool to the pinnacle of English football after years in which the club had been forced to watch rivals claim the prize they craved most.

Heysel and Hillsborough: Tragedy and Resilience

Liverpool’s history has been marked by profound tragedy as well as triumph. The Heysel Stadium disaster of 1985, before the European Cup final against Juventus, resulted in the deaths of 39 supporters and led to English clubs being banned from European competition for five years. Four years later came the Hillsborough disaster of 1989, in which 97 Liverpool supporters lost their lives at an FA Cup semi-final, the worst tragedy in the history of British sport.

The Hillsborough disaster, and the decades-long fight for justice waged by the families of the victims and the Liverpool community, is a defining part of the club’s identity. The campaign for truth and accountability, and the solidarity shown by the club and its supporters, reflect the values of unity and defiance that lie at the heart of Liverpool. The memory of the 97 is honoured at Anfield and by supporters around the world, and the phrase ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ has taken on an even deeper meaning through these tragedies.

Liverpool’s Major Honours

Liverpool are one of the most decorated clubs in the history of English and European football. The Reds have won a record-equalling 20 English league titles and are England’s most successful club in European competition, having lifted the European Cup on six occasions. The full breakdown of the club’s major honours is charted below, reflecting a trophy cabinet befitting one of the true giants of the world game.

This remarkable collection includes 20 top-flight league titles, six European Cups, three UEFA Cups and a record number of League Cups. Liverpool’s tally of six European crowns is the most of any English club, underlining the special place the club holds in the history of continental football. The 2024–25 league title, the club’s 20th, drew Liverpool level with Manchester United at the top of the all-time list of English champions, a landmark achievement in the club’s storied history. Reaching this milestone, matching the record long held by the club’s great rivals, was a moment of immense significance and pride for Liverpool and its supporters, underlining the club’s status as one of the two most successful in the history of English football.

The Miracle of Istanbul

One of the greatest moments not only in Liverpool’s history but in the entire history of football came in the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul. Trailing AC Milan 3–0 at half-time and seemingly beaten, Liverpool produced an astonishing comeback, scoring three goals in a remarkable six-minute spell to level the match, before winning the trophy on penalties. Captained by the inspirational Steven Gerrard, whose goal sparked the fightback, the triumph became known as the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’.

The comeback stands as the ultimate expression of the never-say-die spirit that defines Liverpool, a match that epitomised the club’s capacity for drama and its refusal to accept defeat. The fifth European Cup secured that night in Istanbul is perhaps the most celebrated of all the club’s triumphs, and it reaffirmed Liverpool’s status as a giant of the European game after a period in which the club had fallen behind the very elite. It remains one of the most iconic nights in football history. The Miracle of Istanbul is retold and celebrated by Liverpool supporters to this day, a symbol of the belief and defiance that runs through the very heart of the club, and proof that at Liverpool, no cause is ever truly lost.

The Klopp Era and the Return to Glory

After years in which Liverpool challenged but could not quite reclaim their place at the summit, the appointment of Jürgen Klopp in 2015 sparked a glorious renaissance. The charismatic German manager rebuilt Liverpool into one of the best Teams in the world, playing a thrilling, high-intensity brand of football and forging a powerful connection with the supporters. Under Klopp, Liverpool returned to the pinnacle of the English and European game after decades of waiting.

Klopp delivered the club’s sixth European Cup in 2019, defeating Tottenham in the Champions League final, and then, in 2019–20, ended a 30-year wait for the league title, winning the Premier League with a record-equalling points tally. His team, built around the world-class talents of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Sadio Mané and others, played some of the finest football in the club’s history. Klopp’s era restored Liverpool to greatness and re-established the club as a dominant force, and his emotional bond with the fans made him one of the most beloved figures in the club’s modern history.

Arne Slot and the 2025 Title Triumph

When Jürgen Klopp departed in 2024 after nine transformative years, the challenge of succeeding such a beloved and successful manager was immense. The appointment of the Dutchman Arne Slot, who had impressed with his work at Feyenoord, was met with some uncertainty, but he answered the doubters in spectacular fashion. In his very first season, 2024–25, Slot led Liverpool to the Premier League title, the club’s 20th league championship, drawing the Reds level with Manchester United at the top of the all-time list.

Slot’s debut triumph was a remarkable achievement, demonstrating his tactical intelligence and his ability to build on the foundations laid by Klopp while imprinting his own ideas on the team. Winning the title in his first season in English football confirmed his credentials as an elite manager and gave Liverpool supporters enormous cause for optimism. Although the following campaign proved more challenging, the title triumph of 2025 stands as a significant achievement and a statement of the club’s enduring quality and ambition.

The Klopp Legacy

The impact of Jürgen Klopp on Liverpool Football Club cannot be overstated. Across nine years, the charismatic German not only won the club’s sixth European Cup and its first league title in 30 years, but he restored belief, pride and passion to a club that had spent too long in the shadows. His powerful connection with the supporters, his infectious energy and his brilliant, attacking teams made him one of the most beloved figures in the club’s modern history.

Klopp’s Liverpool played some of the finest football the club has ever produced, competing at the very highest level in England and Europe and pushing Manchester City to the limit in a series of thrilling title races. He rebuilt the club’s identity, established a winning culture and left Liverpool in a far stronger position than he found it. His emotional departure was mourned by supporters, but his legacy — the trophies, the memories and the restoration of Liverpool to greatness — will endure forever.

Legendary Players Through the Ages

Liverpool’s history is adorned with some of the greatest players ever to grace English football. Kenny Dalglish, both as a player and a manager, is regarded by many as the greatest figure in the club’s history, his brilliance central to the dominant sides of the late 1970s and 1980s. Ian Rush, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, and Steven Gerrard, the inspirational captain and local hero who embodied the spirit of Liverpool, are among the most revered legends.

The club’s rich heritage also includes icons such as Graeme Souness, Alan Hansen, John Barnes and Robbie Fowler, and in the modern era the goalscoring exploits of Mohamed Salah, who became one of the finest players in the club’s history, and the defensive brilliance of Virgil van Dijk. From the Shankly and Paisley eras through to the present day, Liverpool have been represented by players of the very highest calibre, whose contributions have written the club’s glorious story.

Steven Gerrard and Mohamed Salah: Modern Icons

Two players stand as the defining icons of Liverpool’s modern history. Steven Gerrard, the local boy who became the club’s inspirational captain, embodied the spirit and passion of Liverpool across a glittering career. A midfielder of extraordinary quality and drive, Gerrard produced some of the most memorable moments in the club’s history, none more so than his role in the Miracle of Istanbul. He is revered as one of the greatest players ever to wear the red shirt and a true Liverpool legend.

In the Klopp era, Mohamed Salah established himself as one of the finest players in the club’s history and one of the best in the world. The Egyptian forward’s astonishing goalscoring, his consistency and his decisive contributions were central to Liverpool’s return to glory, and he broke numerous records during his time at Anfield. His emotional farewell at the end of the 2025–26 season brought to a close one of the most prolific and celebrated chapters in the club’s history, and he departs as a genuine Anfield great.

Anfield and the Kop

Anfield has been Liverpool’s home since the club’s foundation and is one of the most famous and atmospheric stadiums in world football. The ground is renowned for its extraordinary atmosphere on the biggest nights, particularly European occasions, when the passion of the crowd can lift the team and intimidate opponents. The famous Spion Kop, the towering stand behind one goal, is home to the most fervent supporters and is one of the most iconic terraces in the history of the game.

The sight and sound of the Kop singing ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before kick-off, a wall of red and a swell of emotion, is one of the great spectacles in world sport. Anfield has been expanded and modernised in recent years to increase its capacity while preserving its unique character and atmosphere. The stadium is the spiritual home of Liverpool Football Club, the stage for countless historic moments, and a genuine fortress that has played a decisive role in many of the club’s greatest and most memorable triumphs.

The Merseyside Derby and Rivalries

Liverpool’s most local rivalry is with neighbours Everton, contested in the Merseyside Derby — one of the oldest and most passionate fixtures in English football. Uniquely, the rivalry between the two Liverpool clubs is often described as a ‘friendly derby’, with families frequently divided between the two, though the matches themselves are fiercely competitive and hold enormous significance for supporters of both sides.

In the modern era, Liverpool’s fiercest rivalry has become the clash with Manchester United, contested in the North West Derby between England’s two most successful clubs. Rooted in the historic rivalry between the cities of Liverpool and Manchester, this fixture is one of the biggest and most intense in world football. Liverpool have also developed a significant rivalry with Manchester City during the title battles of the Klopp era, adding another compelling dimension to the club’s competitive landscape.

FSG Ownership and Club Structure

Liverpool have been owned since 2010 by Fenway Sports Group, the American company led by John W. Henry that also owns the Boston Red Sox. FSG’s ownership has overseen a period of significant success and stability, backing the appointments of Jürgen Klopp and Arne Slot and investing in the squad, the redevelopment of Anfield and the club’s infrastructure. Under FSG, Liverpool returned to the summit of the English and European game after years of decline.

The ownership is known for its data-driven, analytical approach to recruitment and its emphasis on sustainable success, and this philosophy has been central to the club’s modern resurgence. While the relationship between FSG and the fanbase has occasionally been tested, the trophies won and the stability provided during their tenure have underpinned Liverpool’s return to greatness, and the ownership continues to support the club’s ambitions to compete for the biggest honours.

Liverpool Women

Liverpool have a women’s team, Liverpool FC Women, competing in the top tier of English women’s football. The team has enjoyed success in the domestic game, including winning the Women’s Super League in its earlier incarnation, and the club is committed to developing the women’s team as part of its broader footballing ambitions. The growth of the women’s game has seen increased investment and attention, and Liverpool are focused on establishing their women’s side as a competitive force.

The club’s commitment to the women’s game reflects its status as a modern, forward-thinking institution, and the women’s team plays an important role in the wider Liverpool family. As women’s football continues to grow in profile and popularity, Liverpool are determined to build a successful and competitive team worthy of the club’s proud traditions and passionate support.

Playing Philosophy and the Slot Style

Under Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool became famous for ‘heavy metal football’ — a high-intensity, high-pressing, fast-paced attacking style that thrilled supporters and overwhelmed opponents. This aggressive, front-foot approach, allied to the quality of the players, was central to the club’s success and became synonymous with the Klopp era. His successor, Arne Slot, has brought a more controlled, possession-based approach while retaining Liverpool’s attacking intent.

Slot’s success in winning the Premier League in his first season demonstrated his ability to evolve the team’s style while maintaining its effectiveness. The Dutch manager’s tactical intelligence and his emphasis on control and organisation, combined with the attacking quality of a rebuilt squad, represent the next chapter in Liverpool’s footballing identity. The challenge is to blend the intensity and passion associated with the club with the control and sophistication of the modern game, and to build a team capable of competing for the biggest prizes.

The Current Squad

Arne Slot’s Liverpool have undergone a significant rebuild, blending established quality with exciting new talent. The team is captained by Virgil van Dijk, one of the finest defenders in the world, whose leadership and commanding presence are central to the side. In goal, the brilliant Brazilian Alisson Becker provides world-class security, protected by a defence featuring the pace of Ibrahima Konaté and dynamic full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

The midfield is a model of quality, featuring the energy and creativity of Dominik Szoboszlai, the elegance of Alexis Mac Allister and the control of Ryan Gravenberch. In attack, the club invested heavily in a new-look forward line following the departure of Mohamed Salah, bringing in the German playmaker Florian Wirtz, the prolific Swedish striker Alexander Isak and the exciting Hugo Ekitike, complemented by the versatile Cody Gakpo. This blend of quality and youth gives Slot a formidable squad for the challenges ahead.

The rebuild reflects Liverpool’s ambition to return to the summit of English and European football, and the quality of the new signings, allied to the established core of the team, gives the club genuine reason for optimism. The challenge for Arne Slot is to integrate the new arrivals quickly and to forge a cohesive, winning team capable of bouncing back from a difficult season and challenging for the biggest honours once more.

A Global Institution

Liverpool are one of the most popular and widely supported football clubs in the world, with an enormous global fanbase that spans every continent. The club’s rich history, its six European Cups, its array of legendary players and the emotional power of its story and traditions have built a following that extends far beyond the city of Liverpool. The anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ resonates with supporters around the globe, and the club’s appeal is truly universal.

The success of the Klopp era, culminating in the Champions League and Premier League triumphs, further energised this vast global support, and Liverpool remain one of the most followed and commercially powerful clubs in world football. The combination of a fiercely loyal local support, rooted in the communities of Merseyside, and a worldwide following reflects the club’s status as one of the grand institutions of the global game, admired and beloved across the world.

Champions League Ambitions

For a club with Liverpool’s extraordinary European pedigree — six European Cups, the most of any English club — competing in the Champions League is not merely an ambition but an expectation. The return to the competition for 2026–27 offers Liverpool the chance to add to a European history that includes some of the most iconic nights in the sport, from the triumphs of the Paisley era to the Miracle of Istanbul and the glory of 2019.

Anfield on a Champions League night is one of the great occasions in world football, a cauldron of noise and passion capable of inspiring the team to extraordinary feats. Liverpool’s supporters dream of more magical European nights and of the club adding a seventh European crown to its illustrious history. With a rebuilt squad and the ambition to return to the summit, the Reds will approach the Champions League determined to write new chapters in one of football’s greatest European stories.

The 2025–26 Season and Champions League Return

The 2025–26 season was one of transition and challenge for Liverpool. Following the title triumph of Arne Slot’s first season, the Reds endured a more difficult campaign, finishing fifth in the Premier League with 60 points. Despite the disappointment of failing to defend their crown, Liverpool secured qualification for the 2026–27 Champions League through England’s European Performance Spot, ensuring the club’s return to European football’s premier competition.

The season also marked an emotional farewell to two club greats, as Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson played their final matches for Liverpool, bringing to an end glittering chapters in the club’s history. The Reds undertook a significant rebuild, investing in exciting new talent such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike, as Arne Slot reshaped his squad for a new era. The scale of the summer investment underlined the club’s determination to return quickly to the summit of the English game, and the arrival of some of Europe’s most sought-after talents signalled a statement of ambition. The departures of long-serving greats and the influx of new signings marked a genuine turning point, the beginning of a new chapter as Liverpool sought to build a team capable of challenging for the biggest honours once again. For all the latest Liverpool match previews, team news and score forecasts, follow our Champions League match predictions throughout the season.

Looking Ahead

As Liverpool enter the 2026–27 season, the ambitions are clear: to return to the summit of English football, to challenge for the Premier League title once more, and to add to the club’s proud European history in the Champions League. With Arne Slot having already proved his title-winning credentials, a squad rebuilt around exciting new signings and world-class talent, and the unwavering support of the Anfield faithful, Liverpool approach the new campaign determined to bounce back from a difficult season. For a club with 20 league titles, six European Cups and one of the greatest histories in the game, nothing less than a return to the very top will satisfy the demands of the supporters. Liverpool, forever walking together, dream of more glory nights at Anfield and beyond. From the foundations laid by Bill Shankly to the dominance of the Paisley dynasty, from the Miracle of Istanbul to the triumphs of the Klopp era and Arne Slot’s title-winning debut, Liverpool have provided their supporters with some of the most unforgettable moments in the history of football. The club’s greatest strength has always been the bond between the team and its supporters, a bond forged through triumph and tragedy and expressed in the words of the famous anthem. As Liverpool look to the future, that unbreakable spirit, allied to the ambition and quality of a rebuilt squad, gives the Reds every reason to believe that more glorious chapters lie ahead in the story of one of football’s greatest and most beloved clubs.