What are Liverpool’s trophy chances in 2026/27 as a new era begins?

Andoni Iraola has a lot on his plate. Hired to point Liverpool in the right direction again after last season’s disappointing fifth-place finish in the Premier League and underwhelming performances in Europe and the cup competitions, the summer has not been quite as smooth as many supporters had hoped.

Mohamed Salah has left, departing Liverpool after nine years at Anfield. Andy Robertson was another stalwart who left over the summer, with Ibrahima Konaté joining Real Madrid as a free agent. Boss Arne Slot has also moved on, following an underwhelming second season at the helm.

All of this pointed to a busy summer, yet Liverpool are still active in the transfer market. So far, they have signed winger Victor Muñoz from Osasuna and defender Jérémy Jacquet from Rennes, although the latter deal was agreed before the end of last season. Iraola is attempting to reshape Liverpool in his own image, but it remains unclear exactly what squad he will have at his disposal.

At 11/2, Liverpool are third-favourites to win the 2026/27 Premier League title, reflecting how much talent is still at the club even after the departure of some key figures.

Importantly, Liverpool must get more from the blockbuster signings they made 12 months ago if they are to fulfil their potential. Florian Wirtz created just five big chances across the entire Premier League season and found the net only six times. For a player who cost £116 million, he will need to deliver more consistently in and around the final third.

Alexander Isak, meanwhile, started only eight league games because of injury. Even when fit, the Swedish striker struggled to hit top form after arriving from Newcastle United for a Premier League-record £130m fee. A full pre-season should help Isak build his fitness and sharpness ahead of the new campaign.

Iraola’s quick-transition approach could get the best out of Isak, although it’s not clear how Hugo Ekitike will fit into the forward line once he returns from a ruptured Achilles tendon. The Frenchman scored more league goals than any other Liverpool player last season, but that was largely with Isak on the sidelines. Could Iraola field them both as a pairing?

Using Ekitike and Isak as a front two would place additional pressure on a midfield unit that appeared laboured last season. Dominik Szoboszlai has signed a new long-term contract to stay at Anfield until the summer of 2031, but using the Hungarian as a number 10 could push Wirtz out to the wing.

Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister both dipped in physicality last season, leading to Liverpool’s back four suffering from a lack of protection at points. Virgil van Dijk was left exposed while the Reds’ right back position was a particular weak link as Slot rotated between Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez and even Szoboszlai.

Iraola admitted his defensive options are “very thin” after Gomez’s injury eight minutes into a pre-season game against Sunderland. Van Dijk is now into the twilight of his career at the age of 35 and there’s no guarantee Jacquet will forge an instant understanding with the veteran Dutchman.

There is no doubting the talent within the Liverpool squad, but questions remain over how their players fit together on the pitch. Iraola could even encounter some of the same issues that stumped Slot last season. The former Bournemouth boss has been hired to untangle Liverpool’s squad.

Surprisingly, Liverpool have won the FA Cup just once in the last 20 seasons, and the Reds are 7/1 to get their hands on the oldest trophy in world football.

The Merseyside outfit are the same price to win the Carabao Cup for the third time in six seasons, with only Arsenal and Manchester City shorter to clinch the trophy.

Under Iraola, Liverpool could wind back the clock to the Jürgen Klopp era when they were one of the most devastating quick-transition teams in the Premier League. Liverpool’s new manager turned Bournemouth into a highly efficient outfit during his time in charge there and could carry over some ideas to his latest club.

The Champions League will be something new for Iraola. Liverpool clung on to their place in European club football’s most prestigious competition by their fingernails and so the Reds must prove they still belong the continent’s best this season. They are 10/1 to win the Champions League for the seventh time in their history.

Slot won the Premier League title in his first season as Liverpool manager. The post-Klopp transition was put off until now and it’s difficult to envisage Iraola’s team hitting the ground running to the extent that they immediately challenge for the title.

Nonetheless, trophies should still be in the sights of everyone at Anfield.