Liverpool were restored to their place as champions of England after winning the 2024-25 Premier League, finishing first with 84 points and clinching a record-equalling 20th top-flight title in the process.
Few predicted that manager Arne Slot would so successfully navigate his first season in charge of the Reds, especially after taking over from legendary boss Jurgen Klopp.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at Liverpool's remarkable 2024-25 campaign, which could be the start of a new era of dominance.
SEASON OVERVIEW
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Final league position: 1st
EFL Cup: Runners-up
FA Cup: Fourth round
Champions League: Round of 16
Top scorer: Mohamed Salah (29)
Most assists: Mohamed Salah (18)
Slot's achievements at Anfield are even more remarkable when considering the only signing he was afforded in the summer was Italian Federico Chiesa, who would go on to start one Premier League game.
Liverpool began the season in outstanding fashion, winning their first three games of the campaign against Ipswich Town, Brentford and Manchester United.
Slot has frequently referenced his side's 3-0 victory against Manchester United as a key moment in the season, when players truly began to buy into his ideas and believe that they could experience success.
However, the Reds would go on to lose their fourth league game of the season against Nottingham Forest at Anfield in September, but the team went unbeaten in their next 26 top-flight matches, winning on 19 occasions.
After beating Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 in November, Liverpool overtook Manchester City in first place and were not displaced.
Perhaps the best period of results came between October 2024 and December 1, when the Merseysiders won nine in 10 in all competitions, achieving victories against the likes of RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City.
The club also won their first seven games in the Champions League, but despite topping the league table they were rewarded with a round of 16 clash against Paris Saint-Germain, who they were knocked out by on penalties at Anfield in March.
While they were beaten by Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final in March and eliminated in the fourth round of the FA Cup in February by Plymouth Argyle, fans cared little once the title was confirmed in April after they defeated Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 in front of a full Anfield crowd.
PREMIER LEAGUE STATS
Wins: 25 (1st)
Draws: 9 (=8th)
Losses: 4 (=20th)
Goals scored: 86 (1st)
Goals conceded: 41 (19th)
Yellow cards: 65 (17th)
Red cards: 3 (=4th)
Passes: 21,759 (2nd)
Shots: 639 (1st)
Big chances missed: 92 (1st)
Saves: 98 (16th)
Tackles: 642 (13th)
Own goals: 2 (=3rd)
Hit woodwork: 22 (2nd)
Clearances: 693 (17th)
HOW DID IT COMPARE TO LAST SEASON?
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Liverpool finished third in the Premier League in Klopp's final season as boss, but it should be noted that they ended with just two fewer points than Slot's Reds.
However, the current side won the title with four games spare, and they failed to win any of their final matches - drawing two and losing two - and they would likely have achieved a higher points total had they faced greater competition from second-placed Arsenal.
Klopp did win the EFL Cup against Chelsea while Slot lost to Newcastle in the final, and the German's team managed to reach the semi-final of the FA Cup.
Liverpool did not participate in the Champions League last term and were instead eliminated by Atalanta BC in the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON: MOHAMED SALAH
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Despite the constant speculation that he could leave the club in the summer upon the expiration of his contract, Mohamed Salah showed no signs that negotiations were impacting his form on the pitch.
The 32-year-old ended the season as the Premier League's leading goalscorer (29) and assist provider (18), claiming both the Golden Boot and Playmaker award.
Salah managed to equal the record for the most goal contributions in a single Premier League season (47) of any player, and it is no surprise that he was named the Premier League Player of the Season.
Luckily for Liverpool fans, the Egyptian agreed to extend his stay at Anfield for another two seasons, and he will hope to move up the Premier League's all-time scoring lists, with the winger currently ranking fifth with 186 goals.
STANDOUT RESULT: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-3 LIVERPOOL
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When Slot took his team to Old Trafford to play fierce rivals Manchester United in September, many thought of the Red Devils as the Dutchman's first true test.
However, Luis Diaz scored twice in the first half to give the Merseysiders a commanding lead, before Salah added a third early in the second half.
Liverpool were rarely troubled and were utterly dominant, with many fans and pundits impressed at how easily Slot was able to tactically dismantle Erik ten Hag's United.
Slot himself has spoken about how the result gave his players the belief that they could compete for the Premier League title, and it was clearly a pivotal moment in the season.
> Click here for a full list of Liverpool's results from the 2024-25 season.
BEST MOMENT
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Liverpool have had a number of memorable moments this season, but none more so than when fans were finally able to celebrate the team lifting the Premier League title at Anfield on May 25.
The Reds were held to a 1-1 draw by Crystal Palace, but the result mattered little given fans and players were in a celebratory mood as they knew the title would be presented after the full-time whistle.
Captain Virgil van Dijk was presented with the trophy by Liverpool legend Alan Hansen, and the scenes inside the ground were joyous.
The occasion was particularly special as fans were denied the chance to celebrate winning the league in 2019-20 in the manner they would have wanted to due to the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, so being able to gather inside Anfield will have been even sweeter for all involved.
TOP PRIORITY FOR SUMMER
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While Liverpool managed to tie Van Dijk and Salah down to new deals, they were unable to convince Trent Alexander-Arnold to stay.
The boyhood Red is expected to complete a move to Real Madrid, and the champions must look to replace his creativity if they are to retain their title in 2025-26.
Conor Bradley is thought to be Slot's preferred choice to take Alexander-Arnold's place in the XI, but the Northern Irishman does not possess the latter's passing ability.
Liverpool could look to bring in a creative midfielder to replicate the impact of Alexander-Arnold in the final third, and it is no surprise that they have been strongly linked to the signature of Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz.
No other full-back on the market possesses the Scouser's ability on the ball, but signing Wirtz could transform the way the team attack, and his arrival would highlight the club's ambition.
FINAL VERDICT
Liverpool's season has been an undeniable success, and it should not go unnoticed that they are the only team since 2017-18 to have stopped Pep Guardiola's Manchester City from winning the league.
Slot has surpassed every expectation placed on him, and the possibility of him being given the freedom to mould the squad in his image is an exciting prospect.
Arsenal and City are likely to pose more of a challenge next term, but the Reds are well positioned to be competitive in the title race.
Supporters will long celebrate the 2024-25 season given the title win has undoubtedly restored the club to their perch at the pinnacle of English football.
Lewis Nolan
