Liverpool
Liverpool’s Strategic Summer Transfers Ahead of 2025–26 Premier League Season
Liverpool bolster key positions in a busy summer ahead of the 2025–26 Premier League campaign.
As Liverpool prepare to defend their Premier League title in the 2025–26 season, the club has actively strengthened key positions during the summer transfer window. The campaign kicks off on August 15, with Liverpool aiming to build on their existing strengths.
In addressing defensive needs, Liverpool secured Jeremie Frimpong as the new right-back, a direct replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. On the left flank, Milos Kerkez arrives to challenge Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas for starting opportunities. The centre-back area requires reinforcement following Jarell Quansah’s departure to Bayer Leverkusen; Crystal Palace’s Marc Guéhi has emerged as a preferred option to bolster the defensive ranks and satisfy homegrown player requirements.
Goalkeeper depth has improved with Georgi Mamardashvili officially joining to provide backup to Caoimhín Kelleher. Freddie Woodman and Ármin Pésci have also been added to the squad to compete for the third-choice goalkeeper role.
The headline acquisition this summer is Florian Wirtz, who has joined from Bayer Leverkusen for £116 million. His versatility across the attacking midfield and forward positions is expected to add significant value. Liverpool also strengthened its centre-forward options with the £79 million signing of Hugo Ekitiké, who impressed last season with a combined 34 goals and assists.
Further attacking reinforcements may be on the horizon. Alexander Isak, currently at Newcastle United, has publicly expressed a wish to join Liverpool, with a possible transfer fee estimated between £120–150 million. Liverpool had initially sought to sign Isak but shifted focus to Ekitiké before the Newcastle striker indicated his preference for a Liverpool move.
Squad adjustments could see departures, especially as Luis Díaz’s imminent transfer to Bayern Munich might make Darwin Núñez remain despite underwhelming performances. Kostas Tsimikas faces limited playing chances after Kerkez’s arrival, and players such as Wataru Endo, Federico Chiesa, and Harvey Elliott might leave for more playing time or replacement purposes.
Liverpool’s projected lineup for 2025–26 features a defensive core of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté ahead of Alisson, with Frimpong and Kerkez occupying fullback roles. Midfield stability is likely with Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, while Salah and Cody Gakpo operate on the wings. Florian Wirtz is expected to fill the number 10 role, replacing Dominik Szoboszlai. Upfront, Liverpool will hope Isak can lead the line supported by Ekitiké.
This summer’s transfer activity signals Liverpool’s intent to maintain competitiveness by reinforcing critical areas of the squad ahead of another demanding Premier League season.
Burnley
Burnley v Liverpool: Preview, Team News and Predicted Lineups
Liverpool seek a fourth straight victory as Burnley, without Amdouni, Roberts and Beyer. At Turf Moor
Liverpool travel to newly promoted Burnley on Sunday looking for a fourth successive victory to start the Premier League campaign. On paper this is the Reds’ simplest fixture so far and recent meetings back that view. Liverpool have won the last five encounters with Burnley, conceding only once across those matches.
Burnley accept the scale of the task. Their Championship identity was built on a resolute defence, but the Clarets have found life tougher in the top flight, conceding six goals in fixtures with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. They did, however, keep a clean sheet in a 2–0 victory over Sunderland in their only home league match of the term.
Injury news for Burnley sees Zeki Amdouni, Connor Roberts and Jordan Beyer expected to be absent this weekend, with the rest of the squad reporting a clean bill of health. Florentino Luís, signed on loan from Benfica in the summer, could make his debut and add midfield depth. Jaidon Anthony has been a key attacking outlet with two goals and an assist, while Josh Cullen has also contributed two goal involvements despite an unfortunate own goal at Old Trafford.
Burnley predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Dúbravka; Walker, Ekdal, Estève, Hartman; Cullen, Ugochukwu; Larsen, Mejbri, Anthony; Foster.
Liverpool supporters will watch Alexander Isak’s progress closely as he awaits his debut. The £125 million ($169.5 million) striker was used sparingly by Sweden during the international break as he returned to normality. Isak could travel with the squad but is not expected to start, with Hugo Ekitiké leading the line until Isak regains full match fitness.
Jeremie Frimpong’s return remains uncertain after two missed matches, with comments from the manager suggesting a comeback after the September international period. The Dutch coach has confirmed Curtis Jones will miss the trip because of an injury sustained against Arsenal.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Burnley (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitiké.
Liverpool’s attacking form — eight goals in three matches — suggests they will pose constant problems for Burnley. The visitors arrive with extra preparation time after the international break and are expected to control the game, while Burnley will need near-perfection to claim a result.
Liverpool
Slot Rejects Criticism of Isak as Liverpool Outline Cautious Integration
Arne Slot defends Alexander Isak’s character and outlines Liverpool’s transfer approach vs Burnley..
Arne Slot has publicly defended Alexander Isak after the striker’s decision to withdraw from Newcastle United duties drew criticism. Speaking ahead of Isak’s potential debut for Liverpool against Burnley on Sunday, Slot argued the Swede’s actions should not be read as a mark on his character and stressed Liverpool would handle the situation differently.
Isak has said Newcastle had “broken” a number of promises made to him, leaving him “no alternative but to try and force a way out of St James’ Park.” The striker’s goal that beat Liverpool and secured Newcastle the Carabao Cup last season also ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
Some have accused Isak of breaching the spirit of his contract; others have suggested clubs can exercise too much control over a player’s career and exile those they deem surplus, citing Manchester United’s and Chelsea’s “bomb squad” of unwanted players as examples.
Slot pushed back on judgments of the player’s character. “No [it doesn’t reflect badly], I just look at the club. It’s not necessary at our club, because we also trade players,” Slot said. “If a player wants to leave and we get the right money for him, this club has shown so many years now that we then sell.
“You can just keep on training here – Lucho [Luis Díaz] and Harvey [Elliott] get their transfers , Tyler Morton gets his transfer, all these players, I can come up with eight, nine, 10 I think in the last window, that just conduct themselves in the best possible way.”
Slot confirmed Liverpool will manage Isak’s introduction carefully because the striker lacked training and first-team minutes over the summer, which may prevent him from playing immediately. Still, Slot expressed clear confidence in Isak’s quality. “He is one of the best in the world,” Slot beamed. “But for him to become the best, I think the best players in the world win trophies.
“It [the fee] might put pressure on him and me but nothing extra – if you have this [Liverpool badge] on your shirt there is always pressure,” Slot added. “We target a player and we want to have him. We decide what his value is, if that matches with what the club wants then we are not afraid to act. We get that money from trading players and winning the league after we didn’t spend anything at all.”
Arsenal
Gameweek 4 Preview and Predictions: Derbies, Debuts and a Packed Schedule
Gameweek 4 preview: derbies, Postecoglou’s Forest at Arsenal, and full predictions for fixtures. weekend
The Premier League returns for Gameweek 4 with a compact 36-hour schedule and a handful of fixtures that will attract attention across the weekend. The campaign resumes with a high-profile early kick-off as Postecoglou’s Nottingham Forest visits title hopefuls Arsenal at the Emirates. The new Forest boss begins what promises to be a difficult opening stretch against one of the division’s leading sides.
Several matches fall under the traditional 3 p.m. blackout, including an all-south coast meeting between Bournemouth and Brighton at the Vitality. Both clubs produced strong results before the international break and will be aiming to build early momentum toward a European push.
Aston Villa travel to Everton searching for their first goal of the new season, while an injury-hit Sunderland make their first London trip of 2025–26 to face Crystal Palace. Leeds United head to Craven Cottage to take on Fulham, and Newcastle host Wolves without new signing Yoane Wissa because of injury.
The evening run in the capital features West Ham welcoming Mohammed Kudus back to the London Stadium and Tottenham looking to return to winning ways with Thomas Frank set to deploy Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani. Chelsea make the short trip across west London to Brentford later on Saturday.
Kick-Off Time
12.30 p.m. BST / 7.30 a.m. ET
Arsenal vs. Nottingham Forest
3–1
3 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. ET
Bournemouth vs. Brighton
1–2
3 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. ET
Crystal Palace vs. Sunderland
2–0
3 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. ET
Everton vs. Aston Villa
2–1
3 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. ET
Fulham vs. Leeds
3–1
3 p.m. BST / 10 a.m. ET
Newcastle vs. Wolves
2–0
5.30 p.m. BST / 12.30 p.m. ET
West Ham vs. Tottenham
1–2
8 p.m. BST / 2.45 p.m. ET
Brentford vs. Chelsea
1–1
The champions have not yet reached top gear in 2025–26, and Alexander Isak may feature for the first time since his record-breaking move to Liverpool was confirmed on Deadline Day. The Swede appeared briefly over the international break as he works back to full match fitness. Liverpool, having taken maximum points so far, travel to newly promoted Burnley hoping to impose themselves at Turf Moor.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City dazzled in Gameweek 1 but have since lost back-to-back matches. The break was needed and the Cityzens have the chance to reclaim local bragging rights when Manchester United visit on Sunday afternoon.
