Liverpool's Preseason Stars Shine While Others Struggle to Impress

Liverpool's preseason has been unlike any other, with the heartbreaking loss of Diogo Jota casting the Premier League champions into deep sorrow.

The Reds' summer fixtures have carried special emotional weight, beginning against Preston North End at Deepdale and ending at Anfield following an Asian tour.

However, life must go on at Merseyside, with Liverpool demonstrating they're not satisfied with just one Premier League title under Arne Slot's leadership. They're building toward a dynasty.

Although the Reds have been active in the summer transfer window, Slot has faced some tactical challenges on the pitch. Still, Liverpool, with their new acquisitions beginning to settle, appear impressive.

Here are the key winners and losers from Liverpool's preseason campaign.

Winners of Liverpool's Preseason

Rio Ngumoha

The 16-year-old made only one first-team appearance last season, during an FA Cup win against Accrington Stanley in January. Fans have had to wait patiently, but they've been treated to plenty of Ngumoha this summer.

Simply put, the youngster appears to be the genuine article.

The low-sock wearing teenager generated significant excitement for his displays in Asia, showcasing his rapid footwork and direct approach in transitions. Ngumoha netted his maiden goal for the club in the 3–1 triumph over Yokohama F. Marinos, and scored again with a comparable finish within two minutes of his Anfield debut.

Ngumoha has certainly established himself during preseason, and supporters will surely hope to see the dynamic winger included in Slot's plans for 2025–26.

Fellow academy prospects Trey Nyoni and Ben Doak have also left their mark.

Dominik Szoboszlai

The dynamic Hungarian midfielder operated primarily as Liverpool's No. 10 throughout last season, a position that enhanced the Reds' ability to control physically, especially during transitions.

Nevertheless, we might witness Slot modify Szoboszlai's responsibilities given the personnel changes in attack, with the former RB Leipzig player potentially operating in a deeper role. Against Athletic Club on Monday, Szoboszlai excelled as a complete midfielder.

He demonstrated his ability to function as a Trent Alexander-Arnold-style creator, while possessing the stamina to cover ground and dominate between both penalty boxes.

Despite the numerous new arrivals, a familiar figure in Szoboszlai has arguably been Liverpool's most impressive performer this summer.

New Signings

Liverpool's success in 2025–26 will largely hinge on how effectively the new recruits adapt. There should be minimal concerns for Milos Kerkez, who spent two seasons at Bournemouth, but the others, particularly Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitiké, are experiencing Premier League football for the first time.

Jeremie Frimpong will also be making his Premier League debut, though he previously came through Manchester City's youth system before developing professionally in Scotland and Germany.

Many anticipate initial adjustment difficulties, and Slot faces a challenge in discovering the ideal combination. As individuals, however, all of Liverpool's new recruits have hinted at their potential quality.

Frimpong's dynamism is certain to impress, with his attacking runs balanced by the well-rounded nature of Kerkez's play on the opposite wing. Ekitiké, who found it difficult during his previous stint at an elite European club, delivered a polished performance in the 3–2 win over Athletic Club, delighting fans with his smooth stepover and movement to set up Mohamed Salah.

Wirtz, meanwhile, simply looks natural. He embodies everything expected: a brilliant spatial reader who rarely wastes possession and consistently positions himself perfectly. Missed opportunities were his only flaw on Monday, though he found the net in Japan.

Losers of Liverpool's Preseason

Centre-Backs

Liverpool are prepared to invest a potentially record-breaking sum to complete a remarkable summer window by acquiring Alexander Isak, but many question why the club haven't done more to strengthen their defense.

The Reds managed excellently to secure good value for Jarell Quansah, but his departure leaves them short a center-back. Joe Gomez continues battling injuries, and we've witnessed Ryan Gravenberch and Nyoni deployed at the center of Slot's defense during preseason.

Considering the contract situations of Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk, plus Liverpool's occasional defensive struggles this summer, acquiring a central defender must be urgent before the window closes.

The Reds have found it difficult to handle counter-attacks, with Slot needing time to establish the proper balance regarding his full-backs' positioning to ensure his two center-backs, even if they are Konaté and Van Dijk, aren't left vulnerable.

Conor Bradley

Alexander-Arnold's departure has created an opportunity for Bradley to establish himself at Merseyside, with the Northern Ireland international, who emerged during Jürgen Klopp's final season, proving he's ready to step up and fill the gap.

The arrival of Frimpong means Bradley faces competition, and the former Bayer Leverkusen right-back is anticipated to be Slot's preferred choice when the 2025–26 season begins.

Bradley endured several muscle problems last season, missing 17 matches in total, and was unavailable on Monday due to an unspecified issue that might cause him to miss the season opener.

Frimpong's thrilling but unpredictable and high-risk style means Bradley is certain to play an important role for the Reds going forward, but his fitness problems since his breakthrough remain worrying.

Set-Piece Defending

While defensive transitions were problematic during the tour, particularly in the loss to AC Milan, Liverpool's set-piece defending was the primary worry from their 3–2 win over Athletic Club on Monday—the second match of the double-header.

Both Liverpool goals conceded originated from set-pieces. The first came from the second phase of a deep free-kick into the area, with multiple players retreating too far, allowing Oihan Sancet to score easily. The second was a well-placed header at the near post from an outswinging corner, though it was recorded as a Cody Gakpo own goal.

Slot was satisfied with Liverpool's defensive progress on Monday evening, noting that Athletic struggled to create chances from open play across 180 minutes, but acknowledged that allowing two set-piece goals was "not ideal" before the Community Shield, with Crystal Palace being among the most effective teams from such situations in the Premier League last season.