Liverpool in Dream Team 2025/26: Top performers, smart selections and potential flops

DREAM TEAM managers are expecting big things from defending Premier League champions Liverpool this season.

An unconvincing Community Shield performance may have caused some gaffers to wobble but it would be a mistake to overreact to one game that still falls under the remit of ‘pre-season’ for many.

PLAY DREAM TEAM AHEAD OF THE NEW SEASON! OVER £100,000 IN PRIZE MONEY

Arne Slot delivered in his first season at AnfieldAP

With the Gameweek 1 deadline fast approaching, let’s analyse the Reds’ top performers, smart selections and potential flops.

TOP PERFORMERS

Mohamed Salah (£7.5m) will want to forget his day out at Wembley and remind himself of the outstanding form his displayed in 2024/25.

The Egyptian forward amassed a mighty 503 points last term via 34 goals and 23 assists, the highest tally in each of those key metrics among all players.

There’s not much left to say about the prolific 33-year-old.

A reminder that Salah boasts an immense Gameweek 1 record having scored on the opening weekend of the Premier League NINE times — it’s a brave gaffer who goes without him when Liverpool host Bournemouth this Friday.

ReutersSalah skied his penalty at Wembley but remains on top of the Dream Team food chain[/caption]

Virgil van Dijk (£5.5m) registered more clean sheets (21) than any other player last season.

That stat alone justifies his status as the joint-most expensive defender in the game prior to 2025/26.

The imperious Dutchman didn’t shower himself in glory against Crystal Palace but, as with Salah, Dream Team bosses should consider the bigger picture.

It’s hard not to get excited about Florian Wirtz (£6m).

The German playmaker has talent to burn and specialises in goal involvements, which should stand him in good stead for his debut Dream Team campaign.

Having excelled at Bayer Leverkusen, Wirtz is currently the second-most selected midfielder in the game.

He is untested in the Premier League and more cautious Dream Team bosses will prefer tried-and-tested alternatives but his potential is sky high.

ReutersExpectations are high[/caption]

SMART SELECTIONS

While, Salah, Wirtz and new boy Hugo Ekitike (£5m) are all super popular, Cody Gakpo (£4.5m) features in just 5.8% of teams at the time writing.

The Netherlands international is Arne Slot’s first-choice left winger as things stand and may also get his fair share of minutes up top.

It’s easy to forget that Gakpo amassed 282 goals via 18 goals last season, a very healthy return.

As the cheapest option among Liverpool’s current front four, might he be a smart selection?

GettyFrimpong scored in the Community Shield, albeit fortuitously[/caption]

Defenders don’t come more attacking than Jeremie Frimpong (£5m).

In fact, Slot recently hinted that the right-back could deputise for Salah during the Africa Cup of Nations, such are his attributes.

Needless to say, a ‘defender’ playing in a top side’s front three would be nothing short of a Dream Tea cheat code.

AFCON doesn’t start until late December but Frimpong is also a tempting option from the get-go as Conor Bradley (£3.5m) is flagged as injured for Gameweek 1.

It remains to be seen to what extent Frimpong will have to share his minutes with the Northern Ireland international but he could be a points magnet whenever he’s on the pitch.

POTENTIAL FLOPS

Andy Robertson (£4m) will surely be a second-string player this season following the arrival of Milos Kerkez (£5m).

The Scotsman will be a good mentor for the young Hungarian left-back but his Dream Team viability is not what it once was, to say the least.

What does Wirtz’s arrival mean for Szoboszlai?AFP

It will be interesting to see what role Dominik Szoboszlai (£4.5m) fulfils going forward.

Hungary’s captain contributed eight goals and 12 assists in all competitions last season but Wirtz will surely be the most advanced midfielder from now on.

Either Szoboszlai will have to drop deeper, where he’ll compete with Alexis Mac Allister (£4.5m), Curtis Jones (£3.5m) and Ryan Gravenberch (£4m) for minutes, or be content with playing understudy to the German superstar.

Remember, Liverpool v Bournemouth is the very first fixture of the 2025/26 Dream Team season — the deadline for Gameweek 1 coincides with kick-off at 8pm on Friday night (August 15th).

Open to residents of UK and Rep of Ireland, 18+ only. T&Cs apply. 

Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]