January 4, 2025
The 2024/25 season promise excitement as Liverpool aims for glory in the Premier League, Champions League, and other cup competitions.
Following the emotional highs and lows of the previous 2023/24 season, where Liverpool only secured the Carabao Cup, one couldn’t help but ask how they far they will go this season. Good news is there have been reasonable growth compared to the previous season!
Arne Slot was appointed as Klopp’s replacement. The Dutch manager, 46, sought to build on his early successes at Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie. He aimed to implement a new system and style of play. However, there were early doubts about whether he could succeed where previous Dutch managers had struggled in the Premier League.
Slot faced challenges in preparing for the new season due to Euro 2024 and Copa America. These two competitions kept many of Liverpool’s stars occupied with international duty. As August approached, anticipation among fans grew. Liverpool’s pre-season began slowly, largely because some key players were tied up in international tournaments.
Slot officially took his role as Head Coach on June 1, 2024. It wasn’t until early July that he gave his first interview. Players like Curtis Jones and Jarell Quansah, who were not involved in internationals, returned to the AXA Training Complex on July 1 to start pre-season training.
More players joined them as various nations were eliminated from their tournaments throughout the month. Liverpool fans eagerly awaited the return of their team for pre-season friendlies, which started on July 27. The Reds faced Real Betis, Arsenal, Manchester United, and Sevilla. They finished the tour with a perfect record, winning all three matches, and capped it with a decisive victory against Sevilla in their final pre-season game at Anfield.
After winning the Carabao Cup last season, Liverpool’s squad seemed strong and didn’t require a major overhaul. However, fans still hoped for new boss Arne Slot to make several signings to stamp his identity on the team.
The summer transfer window began slowly for Liverpool. Thiago and Joel Matip departed on free transfers, marking the only significant changes as July approached. As the season closed in, the Reds still hadn’t signed any new players. A potential transfer for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi didn’t fall through when he chose to remain with his boyhood club.
Despite having funds available, Slot and Richard Hughes opted not to make unnecessary signings. Consequently, Liverpool began the new season with the same squad that ended the previous year. The club focused more on outgoing transfers, with Matip, Thiago, and Adrian all leaving for free, alongside several young players moving on, either on loan or permanently.
The biggest sale was Fabio Carvalho, who transferred to Brentford for £27.5 million. Many fans were disappointed to see him go, but Slot believed he was a luxury the team could do without, making the sale sensible.
In addition, Brentford also signed defender Sepp Van der Berg for £20 million, potentially rising to £30 million with add-ons. Liverpool also secure a sell-on fee for Van der Berg. Another young player, midfielder Boby Clark, moved to RB Salzburg for £10 million. The club ensured sell-on and buy-back clauses to possibly bring him back to Anfield in the future if he develops well.
As the transfer window neared its end, Liverpool acquired goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia for £29 million. This move was seen as one for the future, as the keeper returned to Valencia to continue playing for the 2024/25 season.
Just hours before the window closed, Liverpool surprised many by signing Italian international Federico Chiesa from Juventus for only £11 million. Although Chiesa had struggled with injuries over the past 18 months, fans were hopeful that if the Liverpool medical team could keep him fit, he would provide an excellent attacking option.
Liverpool’s Premier League campaign began with a comfortable 2-0 win against newly promoted Ipswich Town. This marked a strong start to the Arne Slot era. They continued their winning streak by defeating Brentford 2-0 at Anfield. Followed by a convincing 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
This match was considered a significant test for Slot and his new regime. However, the Dutch manager excelled as Liverpool outperformed their rivals in every aspect. The impressive result positioned Liverpool second in the league table, level on points with Manchester City at nine.
Unfortunately, the international break disrupted their momentum. This led to a loss against Nottingham Forest in their first game back. However, they quickly recovered with a 3-0 win over Bournemouth at Anfield.
Next, Liverpool faced Wolves away. Despite some shaky defending, they managed to secure a 2-1 victory, which allowed the Reds to finish at the top of the table by the end of September.
The Champions League draw was held on August 29, 2024. The matches will take place from September 17, 2024, to January 29, 2025. In 2024, the Champions League format changed to include 36 teams and eliminated the group stage. Now, all teams compete in a single league and play 8 games each—4 at home and 4 away.
The top 8 teams automatically go to the Round of 16. Teams ranked 9th to 24th will enter a knockout playoff to reach the Round of 16. Liverpool were seeded 5th for the draw and were drawn against AC Milan, Bologna, RB Leipzig, Leverkusen, Real Madrid, Girona, Lille, and PSV.
Their Champions League adventure began with a difficult trip to the San Siro, to face AC Milan. Despite the Reds falling behind to an early goal, the team showed great spirit to run out 3 – 1 winners to get their campaign off to the perfect start.
Bologna were the next opponent. This time, goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mo Salah ensured Arne Slot’s first taste of European football at Anfield ended in victory.
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