After guiding Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season in 2024-25, Arne Slot departed following a trophyless 2025-26 campaign that ended in a fifth-place finish — 25 points behind champions Arsenal. Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool enter the 2026-27 season as one of the top clubs in the EPL. In his place comes Andoni Iraola, the Spanish manager who made Bournemouth’s rise from relegation battlers to European contenders one of the great coaching stories of recent English football.
Iraola arrives at Anfield with a clear identity: aggressive pressing, high energy, and a relentless intensity that wins the ball high up the pitch. Liverpool’s squad — packed with elite talent in Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai — already has many of the athletic and technical qualities his system demands.
But the summer of 2026 is also defined by painful farewells. Mohamed Salah has gone. Andy Robertson has gone. Ibrahima Konaté has gone. This is a genuine rebuild — and Iraola must oversee it while keeping Liverpool in the Champions League picture.
The Slot era is over — and a new chapter is beginning at Anfield. Here is everything you need to know about the Liverpool 2026-27 squad.
Liverpool’s Final 25-Man Squad for 2026-27 Season
Under head coach Andoni Iraola, Liverpool F.C. has finalized its first-team squad for the 2026-27 Premier League season. The revamped roster features marquee summer signings like Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak, and defensive reinforcement Ronald Araújo.
- Goalkeepers: Alisson Becker (#1), Giorgi Mamardashvili (#25), Freddie Woodman (#28), Vítězslav Jaroš (#56), Harvey Davies (#95)
- Defenders: Joe Gomez (#2), Virgil van Dijk (#4), Jérémy Jacquet (#5), Milos Kerkez (#6), Conor Bradley (#12), Giovanni Leoni (#15), Kostas Tsimikas (#21), Jeremie Frimpong (#30), Ronald Araújo (#33), Calvin Ramsay (#47), Amara Nallo (#65), Stefan Bajčetić (#43)
- Midfielders: Wataru Endo (#3), Florian Wirtz (#7), Dominik Szoboszlai (#8), Alexis Mac Allister (#10), Curtis Jones (#17), Harvey Elliott (#19), Ryan Gravenberch (#38), Trey Nyoni (#42), James McConnell (#53), Lewis Koumas (#67)
- Forwards: Alexander Isak (#9), Federico Chiesa (#14), Cody Gakpo (#18), Hugo Ekitike (#22), Víctor Muñoz (#23), Rio Ngumoha (#73)
Liverpool Confirmed New Signings — Summer 2026
Andoni Iraola was appointed as Head Coach on June 4, 2026, with a two-year contract. He replaced Arne Slot, who had been dismissed on May 30.
Jérémy Jacquet — CB | Stade Rennais | £60m (Biggest Signing)
Liverpool have completed their first marquee signing of the summer by bringing in Jérémy Jacquet, adding immense physical presence and elite recovery pace to the backline. It represents the club’s biggest defensive investment in recent windows.
The French center-back gives Iraola a direct, front-footed defensive option that provides a long-term solution for the post-Van Dijk era and reduces reliance on an aging core.
Víctor Muñoz — LW | CA Osasuna | £34.5m
Andoni Iraola has added a highly-rated Spanish winger to his squad with the signing of Víctor Muñoz from CA Osasuna. In a deal worth £34.5m (€40m), Liverpool have brought the explosive attacker to the Premier League on a long-term contract. A tactical request from Iraola—he knows Muñoz’s qualities in transitions and expects him to compete immediately for a starting spot on the left flank.
Ronald Araújo — CB | FC Barcelona | Loan
Liverpool have secured a blockbuster defensive reinforcement by signing Ronald Araújo on a season-long loan deal from FC Barcelona. The Uruguayan powerhouse brings world-class experience, exceptional 1v1 defending, and leadership to the backline, giving Iraola incredible tactical flexibility across the defense.
Ifeanyi Ndukwe — CB | Austria Vienna | Undisclosed (~€3m)
A smart, low-cost depth signing for the future. The young Austrian center-back has been brought in to integrate into the development squad and provide emergency cover for the first team during a demanding multi-competition campaign.
Confirmed New Signings
Liverpool focused on recruiting young, top-tier defensive players, as well as seeking tactical depth in wide positions.
| Player | Position | Former Club | Transfer Fee | Status / Contract Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jérémy Jacquet | Center-Back | Stade Rennais | £60m / €63.60m | Permanent Transfer |
| Víctor Muñoz | Left Winger | CA Osasuna | £34.5m / €40.00m | Permanent Transfer |
| Ifeanyi Ndukwe | Center-Back | Austria Vienna | Undisclosed (~€3m) | Permanent Transfer |
| Ronald Araújo | Center-Back | FC Barcelona | Free / No Fee | Season-Long Loan |
Still to Arrive List
Liverpool is actively working to finalize key areas of the squad before the summer window slams shut:
- Yankuba Minteh: The Brighton winger is head coach Andoni Iraola’s absolute priority to reinforce the right flank. Liverpool are pushing hard to reach an agreement, though Brighton are holding out for a hefty valuation.
- Bradley Barcola: The Paris Saint-Germain attacker remains high on Liverpool’s watchlist as a marquee option to add explosive pace and versatility across the frontline.
- A Creative Midfielder: The club is monitoring market opportunities for a dynamic midfielder to add tactical depth and rotation options in the center of the pitch.
Confirmed Player Departures
The club sanctioned significant first-team outgoings to trim the squad, manage the wage bill, and open registration slots:
- Curtis Jones: Transferred permanently to Serie A giants Inter Milan for a reported fee of £30 million.
- Luca Stephenson: Completed a permanent move to Bolton Wanderers in a deal worth £700,000.
- Mohamed Salah: Departed Anfield as a free agent following the expiration of his contract to join Turkish side Trabzonspor.
- Andy Robertson: Left the club on a free transfer to join Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
- Ibrahima Konaté: Departed as a free agent upon the expiry of his contract to officially sign with Real Madrid.
Permanent Transfers & Releases
- Curtis Jones: Sold to Inter Milan for £30m.
- Luca Stephenson: Sold to Bolton Wanderers for £700k.
- Mohamed Salah: Released (Joined Trabzonspor for free).
- Andy Robertson: Released (Joined Tottenham Hotspur for free).
- Ibrahima Konaté: Released (Joined Real Madrid for free).
Season-Long Loans
Liverpool handled youth development and incoming short-term cover through the loan market:
- Ronald Araújo: Arrived on a blockbuster season-long loan from FC Barcelona to reinforce the central defense.
- Calvin Ramsay: Loaned out to further his development and secure consistent first-team minutes.
- Luke Chambers: Loaned out to gain regular competitive experience for the 2026/27 campaign.
Key Players to Watch in Liverpool 2026-27 Squad
Virgil van Dijk — No. 4 | The Captain and Defensive Leader
Liverpool’s captain and their most irreplaceable defensive figure. After years of speculation about his future — and Real Madrid’s long-standing interest — van Dijk committed his future to Anfield. The Dutch centre-back’s authority, aerial dominance, and leadership under pressure remain elite at 35.
Iraola’s pressing system demands that the goalkeeper and defenders play out under pressure — and van Dijk’s composure on the ball makes him perfectly suited to that approach. With Konaté departed, his partnership with new signing Jacquet will define Liverpool’s defensive solidity in 2026-27.
Florian Wirtz — No. 7 | The £100m Man Finding His Feet
Liverpool’s most expensive signing in history — brought in for approximately £100m from Bayer Leverkusen in summer 2025 — Wirtz had a solid but not yet explosive debut season at Anfield. He was not poor, but for a player of his talent and his fee, the expectations were higher.
Under Iraola, whose system at Bournemouth consistently unlocked creative attacking midfielders, 2026-27 could be the season Wirtz truly arrives in the Premier League. His technical quality, vision, and ability to play between the lines gives Liverpool a creative dimension that no other player in the squad can replicate.
Alexander Isak — No. 9 | The British Record Striker Bouncing Back
Alexander Isak joined from Newcastle United in 2025 for £125m — a British transfer record — but suffered a lower leg fracture against Tottenham that disrupted his debut season significantly. Fully recovered, Isak enters 2026-27 as Liverpool’s undisputed first-choice striker.
His pace, technical finishing, and intelligent movement off the ball make him one of the most complete forwards in the Premier League when fully fit. A full, injury-free season with Iraola’s attacking system built around him could produce spectacular numbers.
Ryan Gravenberch — No. 38 | The Midfield Engine
The Dutch midfielder has quietly become one of Liverpool’s most important players — a physical, ball-winning central midfielder who gives the team the defensive stability to allow their more creative players to express themselves.
Gravenberch’s performances at the 2026 World Cup for the Netherlands further confirmed his standing as one of Europe’s elite midfielders. Under Iraola’s high-intensity pressing system, his energy and range will be more important than ever.
Alexis Mac Allister — No. 10 | The World Cup Winner
The Argentine World Cup winner wears the No. 10 shirt — and carries the creative responsibility that comes with it. Mac Allister’s technical quality, passing range, and ability to score and create from central midfield make him one of Iraola’s most valuable assets. His partnership with Gravenberch at the base of the midfield gives Liverpool both defensive protection and creative output in equal measure.
Cody Gakpo — No. 18 | The Versatile Attacker
Gakpo spent much of last season deployed as a central striker — an emergency measure that revealed an unexpected versatility. Now, with Isak healthy and Ekitike in the squad, Gakpo returns to his natural left-wing role.
His combination of pace, technical quality, and work rate suits Iraola’s pressing system perfectly — and his ability to score from wide areas gives Liverpool a consistent attacking threat from the flank that Salah’s departure makes even more important.
Jeremie Frimpong — No. 30 | The Explosive Right-Back
The former Celtic and Bayer Leverkusen wing-back joined last season and immediately became one of Liverpool’s most dangerous attacking outlets. Frimpong’s extraordinary pace, crossing ability, and instinct to get into goal-scoring positions from right-back gives Liverpool a genuine weapon down the right — partially compensating for the loss of Salah’s goal threat from that side. In Iraola’s system, which demands high energy from full-backs, Frimpong is the perfect profile.
Jérémy Jacquet — No. 5 | The New Defensive Rock
The £60m summer signing arrives from Rennes as the long-term defensive partner for van Dijk. Physical, commanding in the air, and comfortable with the ball — Jacquet gives Liverpool the defensive depth that last season’s injury to Giovanni Leoni cruelly exposed. If he adapts quickly to the Premier League’s pace, Liverpool’s backline could be one of the most formidable in the division.
Hugo Ekitike — No. 22 | The French Striker
The £78m signing from Eintracht Frankfurt gives Liverpool a different attacking profile to Isak — powerful, direct, and capable of using his body to hold up play and bring others into the game. His 26 goals in 64 Bundesliga appearances confirmed his quality, and Liverpool beat off significant competition to land him. In 2026-27, his relationship with Isak and Gakpo in Liverpool’s attack will be one of the most interesting partnerships to watch in the Premier League.
Liverpool’s Starting XI — Andoni Iraola’s First Choice
Formation: 4-3-3 (Iraola’s preferred high-energy pressing system)
- Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
- Defenders: Jeremie Frimpong, Ronald Araújo, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez
- Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, Florian Wirtz
- Forwards: Federico Chiesa, Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo
- Key bench options: Ekitike, Elliott, Araújo, Gomez, Bajčetić, Mamardashvili, Chiesa
Iraola’s 4-3-3 is built around pressing the opposition high, winning the ball back quickly, and transitioning at pace. Frimpong and Kerkez bomb forward from full-back to provide width, creating a de facto 2-3-5 in possession.
Gravenberch anchors the midfield, Mac Allister distributes, and Wirtz operates as the number eight with licence to roam. Isak leads the line — and when he is running in behind defences, Liverpool are one of the most dangerous teams in European football.
Liverpool Premier League History — England’s Joint-Most Successful Club
Liverpool are, officially, the most successful club in English football history — and their trophy cabinet reflects a story spanning over a century of excellence.
The club was founded in 1892 by John Houlding following a dispute with Everton over the use of Anfield. Their first league title came in 1901 — and what followed across the next 130 years is one of sport’s great institutional success stories.
The Shankly Revolution (1959-1974)
Bill Shankly arrived at Liverpool in 1959 when the club was in the Second Division. He rebuilt everything — the training methods, the scouting network, the dressing-room culture — and delivered three First Division titles and two FA Cups. His legacy was not just trophies but an identity.
The famous Anfield atmosphere, the “You’ll Never Walk Alone” anthem, the red shirt as a symbol of working-class pride — all of it was crystallised under Shankly.
The Paisley Dynasty (1974-1983)
Bob Paisley stands as Liverpool’s most decorated manager and is often hailed as one of the greatest in English football. Over nine seasons, he secured six First Division titles, three European Cups, three League Cups, and a UEFA Cup.
The consecutive European Cup triumphs in 1977 and 1978 — claimed in Rome and London — cemented Liverpool’s dominance in Europe. In total, Paisley’s team lifted 19 major trophies in nine years, a record unmatched by any other manager at a single English club.
The Klopp Era (2015-2024)
Jürgen Klopp’s arrival transformed Liverpool from Premier League nearly-men into champions of England, Europe, and the world. Under Klopp: Premier League 2019-20 (ending a 30-year wait), Champions League 2019, FA Cup 2022, League Cup 2022, Club World Cup 2019.
His gegenpressing system and emotional connection with supporters made Anfield electric again — and produced one of the most celebrated periods in the club’s modern history.
The Slot Season (2024-25)
Arne Slot delivered Liverpool’s second Premier League title in six years in his debut season — winning it with four matches to spare and matching the club’s record points total. It was a supreme achievement in his first campaign — but the follow-up in 2025-26 fell dramatically short, and Slot paid with his job.
Full Honours List:
- First Division / Premier League: 20 titles — joint record with Manchester United
Years: 1901, 1906, 1922, 1923, 1947, 1964, 1966, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1990, 2020, 2025 - European Cup / Champions League: 6 times — English record
Years: 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, 2019 - FA Cup: 8 times
- League Cup / EFL Cup: 10 times — English record
- UEFA Cup: 3 times
- UEFA Super Cup: 4 times
- FIFA Club World Cup: 1 time (2019)
Can Liverpool Win the Premier League and Champions League in 2026-27?
Liverpool enter the 2026-27 Premier League as the club with the most complex set of questions to answer — a new manager, a rebuilt squad, and the shadow of a disappointing 2025-26 season hanging over Anfield.
Premier League
Arsenal are defending champions. Manchester City under Maresca are rebuilding. Manchester United under Carrick are resurgent. Liverpool’s fifth-place finish last season was shocking for a club with their squad quality — but the arrival of Iraola, whose Bournemouth teams were always superbly organised and relentlessly intense, brings genuine optimism.
The key is fitness. If Isak stays healthy for a full season, his goal tally will be exceptional. If Wirtz finally shows his best form, Liverpool’s attack becomes one of the most complete in European football. If Gravenberch and Mac Allister control games from midfield, Liverpool are a genuinely balanced side.
A top-four finish is the minimum. A genuine title challenge is possible if the squad hits its ceiling under Iraola.
Champions League
Liverpool have won the Champions League six times — more than any other English club. They qualified for the 2026-27 Champions League competition through their fifth-place finish (the expanded format now includes more clubs from each nation). Under Iraola’s pressing system — which has worked effectively against elite European opposition at the tactical level — a run to the quarter-finals is achievable.
The Salah Question
The biggest shadow over everything is the departure of Mohamed Salah. For nine seasons, he was the most reliable source of goals and assists in the Premier League — 232 goals in all competitions, multiple Golden Boots, records broken that may never be matched. Finding even 60% of his output from alternative sources is the greatest challenge Iraola faces in his debut season.
Frimpong from right-back, Wirtz from midfield, Gakpo from the left, and Ekitike as backup to Isak — between them, Iraola must construct a collective attacking contribution that compensates for what one individual delivered. If he manages it, Liverpool are title contenders. If not, another transitional season awaits.
Liverpool are adapting. Anfield still roars. The rebuild has begun.
Q: Who is Liverpool’s manager for 2026-27?
A: Andoni Iraola — the Spanish coach who transformed Bournemouth over five seasons, appointed to replace Arne Slot in summer 2026.
Q: Why did Arne Slot leave Liverpool?
A: Slot was sacked following a trophyless 2025-26 season that ended in a fifth-place Premier League finish — 25 points behind champions Arsenal.
Q: Is Mohamed Salah still at Liverpool?
A: No. Salah left on a free transfer to Trabzonspor in summer 2026 after nine seasons and 232 goals — the most iconic departure in Liverpool’s recent history.
Q: Who is Liverpool’s captain for 2026-27?
A: Virgil van Dijk, the Dutch centre-back.
Q: Who are Liverpool’s confirmed new signings in summer 2026?
A: Jérémy Jacquet from Stade Rennais for £60m is the confirmed signing. More arrivals expected before September 1.
Q: Is Alexander Isak fit for 2026-27?
A: Yes — Isak has fully recovered from the lower leg fracture he suffered against Tottenham in 2025-26 and is confirmed as Liverpool’s No. 9.
Q: How many Premier League titles has Liverpool won?
A: Two Premier League titles (2019-20 and 2024-25) and 20 English top-flight titles in total — joint record with Manchester United.
Q: How many Champions League titles has Liverpool won?
A: Six — in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1984, 2005, and 2019. This is more than any other English club.
Q: What happened to Andy Robertson?
A: Robertson left on a free transfer to Tottenham Hotspur following the expiration of his contract — ending nine seasons at Anfield.
Q: What is Liverpool’s record signing?
A: Alexander Isak from Newcastle United for £125m in summer 2025 — a British transfer record at the time of purchase.
