Ten bold predictions for Liverpool in the 2024/25 season

As the season dawns upon us, Liverpool find themselves in a bit of unfamiliar territory. After nearly a decade under Jurgen Klopp, who has, over his nine-year stay on Merseyside, contributed to the club in so many different ways, a new era with Arne Slot beholds. The Dutchman, a tactically astute manager with a knack for fluid football, has already started to make his mark during pre-season, and there’s a palpable sense of anticipation around what he might achieve with this talented squad.

The summer so far, has been very quiet for Liverpool with no signings so far [as of 16.08.24] and more outgoings than one would like. Fabio Carvalho and Bobby Clark seemed like players who could stomp their authority on the Liverpool first-team setup in the years to come, but their journey at Anfield now ends. Slot has chosen to focus on refining the existing squad, ensuring that the team’s core strengths are maintained while introducing subtle tactical tweaks. This evolution-not-revolution approach might raise a few eyebrows, but Slot’s belief in the talent at his disposal suggests that he’s confident in the squad’s ability to challenge on all fronts.

With the new season about to get underway, it’s the perfect time to make some bold predictions for what lies ahead for Liverpool. From individual performances to team achievements, here are ten predictions that could define Liverpool’s 2024/25 campaign.

1. Ryan Gravenberch to have the season of his life.

The 22-year-old central midfielder has always been a player of tremendously high potential tracing back to his days at Ajax. Under Arne Slot, he stands set to have the best season of his career. Slot’s system is perfectly suited to Gravenberch’s skill set, allowing him to operate in a more defined role. Whether deployed as a box-to-box midfielder or in a more advanced position, Gravenberch will thrive, contributing goals, assists, and driving runs from midfield. This could be the season where he truly announces himself as one of the Premier League’s best talents.

2. Liverpool will mount a serious title challenge.

Cliché. However, the squad is arguably the most talented ITL. The core of the squad remains the same, and with a few tactical tweaks here and there, the Reds will most likely put up a better display than last season and will challenge for the title better than what they could do last term. We have seen this happening way too often in the recent past, but such is the league that there are very little alternative realities to look at.

3. Trent Alexander-Arnold will play in midfield.

The debate over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s best position has raged for years, but 2024/25 could be the season where he finally makes a full transition into midfield. Slot’s tactical flexibility, and Trent’s vision, passing range, and footballing intelligence make him a perfect candidate for a midfield role. This potential shift will allow Trent to influence games even more, adding another dimension to Liverpool’s attack. However, there also remains a sense of belief that his best role would be as an inverted full-back rather than an exclusive midfielder. A world-class right-back talent in Conor Bradley might also get more minutes than he would see coming if Trent manages to move into midfield.

4. Mohamed Salah will hit the 30-goal mark, again.

Mohamed Salah has been Liverpool’s talisman for years, and this season will be no different. Despite being in his early thirties, Salah shows no signs of slowing down. Last season, in 44 appearances across all competitions, he scored 25 goals and secured 14 assists. With a more defined attacking structure under Slot, Salah will continue to find himself in goal-scoring positions, and his clinical finishing will see him hit the 30-goal mark across all competitions once again.

5. Liverpool will reach the Champions League final.

European nights at Anfield are always special, and this season, Liverpool will go deep in the Champions League after making a comeback to the competition post a one-year absence. Slot’s tactical approach is well-suited to the European stage, where game management and tactical discipline are key. With a squad full of players experienced in European competition, Liverpool will make a serious run to the final, looking to add another Champions League trophy to their illustrious history.

6. Darwin Nunez will flourish as a central striker.

Darwin Nunez had a mixed start to his Liverpool career, but under Slot, he will flourish. With a system that plays to his strengths, Nunez will be deployed as a central striker more frequently, where his pace, physicality, and finishing ability can be maximised. Expect Nunez to be a key figure in Liverpool’s attack, contributing a significant number of goals and assists.

7. Liverpool will have the best defence in the league.

One of Slot’s key focuses will be tightening up Liverpool’s defence, which at times looked vulnerable last season. With Virgil van Dijk leading the backline and Alisson Becker in goal, Liverpool will boast the best defensive record in the Premier League. Slot’s attention to defensive organisation, which he has spoken about before, combined with the individual brilliance of Liverpool’s defenders, will make them incredibly tough to break down.

8. Curtis Jones will establish himself as a regular starter.

Curtis Jones has shown flashes of brilliance in his Liverpool career, but 2024/25 could be the season where he truly cements his place in the starting XI. This sounds cliché as well, but he is a very good player and at 23, his best years are comfortably ahead of him. His energy and dribbling ability will likely make him a key player alongside the core duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai in Slot’s midfield rotation.

9. Liverpool will win the FA Cup.

While the Premier League and Champions League are the main targets, Liverpool will not neglect the domestic cups. The Reds, after having bowed out to Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup last season, will hopefully look to get their hands on the oldest cup competition in the world this time around.

10. Anfield will remain a fortress.

Under Klopp, Anfield became one of the most feared stadiums in Europe, and that tradition will continue. Liverpool’s home form will be crucial to their success, and Anfield will remain a fortress where few teams come away with points. The passionate support from the Kop, combined with Liverpool’s quality, will make Anfield a nightmare for visiting teams. Especially in the Champions League.

While Klopp’s departure marks the end of an era, Slot’s approach could lead to a resurgence that sees Liverpool challenge for top honours once again. As the season unfolds, these bold predictions may well come to fruition, cementing Slot’s place in Anfield folklore and ushering in a new chapter of success for the Reds. YNWA.