Andoni Iraola just took over as Liverpool's new manager after Arne Slot left the club. Slot had won the league title in his first year, which made him very popular. But last season went badly, and Liverpool finished without any trophies and dropped to fifth place. That was enough for the club to decide on a change.
Iraola comes from Bournemouth on a two-year deal. It's a big decision by Liverpool's owners, and now Iraola needs to get one of England's biggest clubs back to fighting for the title.
How did last season really go?
Fifth place was not good enough for Liverpool. They expected much better, especially after winning the league the year before. The good news is they still finished high enough to play in the Champions League this season, which gives Iraola a strong competition to work with right from the start.
What made things worse is that Liverpool spent over £400 million on new players the summer before. Big names like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz came with huge price tags and big hopes. But neither has really shown they're worth what was paid for them yet. Getting the best out of these players will be one of Iraola's biggest jobs at the start.
Who has left the club?
This summer has brought the end of an era at Anfield. Mohamed Salah, one of the club's greatest ever players, has left after his contract expired. Long-serving left-back Andy Robertson has also departed, along with defender Ibrahima Konate.
All three left on free transfers, which means Liverpool brought in no transfer income from these departures. Losing that much experience and leadership in one summer is a major shift for any squad to absorb.
Who has Liverpool signed?
Liverpool's business in the transfer market has been relatively quiet compared to previous summers. They have confirmed the signing of Jeremy Jacquet for around £55 million, a deal that was first agreed back in February. Victor Munoz has also joined from Spanish club Osasuna for £34.5 million.
A third addition, Ifeanyi Ndukwe, has joined from Austria Wien, though he is expected to be an academy-level option rather than an immediate first-team player.
What has pre-season looked like?
Iraola has used pre-season to get an early look at his new squad, with six friendly matches arranged, three played in the United States and three back home at Anfield.
Iraola is known for a high-energy, front-foot style of play, built around a 4-2-3-1 formation. Early signs from pre-season suggest this approach suits several of Liverpool's current players well, even if the squad is still adjusting to a new way of working.
What can fans expect this season?
Liverpool's Premier League campaign begins away at Newcastle United on Sunday 23 August, before their first home game of the season against Nottingham Forest six days later. Both are tough early tests for a manager still finding his feet at a new club.
Expectations will need to be managed carefully this year. Liverpool still have real quality in the squad, but a new manager, a reshaped defence, and the pressure of getting big-money signings firing again all add up to a season of transition rather than certainty.
Conclusion
This is not a normal season preview for Liverpool. It is a club trying to reset after a disappointing year, under a manager taking his first job at this level of the game. Iraola has enough talent to work with to be competitive, but turning that talent into results, and replacing the leadership lost this summer, will not happen overnight.
How quickly Liverpool find their identity under Iraola will shape not just this season, but the direction of the club for years to come.