Liverpool fans are heading into the 2025/26 Premier League season with remarkable confidence, despite a turbulent summer marked by major departures and emotional setbacks.
According to The Athletic’s annual hope-o-meter survey, which gauges supporter sentiment ahead of the new campaign, 97% of Liverpool fans declared themselves optimistic about the season to come, the second-highest rating in the division, with just 3% expressing pessimism.
This marks a rise from last year’s already-high 93%, representing the belief in Arne Slot’s evolving squad.
Slot’s first year at Anfield could hardly have gone better. Taking over from Jürgen Klopp in the summer of 2024, the Dutchman led Liverpool to the Premier League title with four games to spare, restoring the club to the summit of English football and instilling a fluid, attacking identity.
However, the months that followed have been far from straightforward. The Reds lost the Community Shield last weekend to Crystal Palace on penalties after a 2-2 draw, a reminder that the challenge to stay ahead is relentless. More significantly, the squad has undergone seismic changes.
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez have all departed, while the club was struck by the untimely passing of forward Diogo Jota.
In response, Liverpool’s recruitment drive has been aggressive and ambitious. They secured the signing of German superstar Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen, alongside versatile forward Hugo Ekitiké, flying wing-back Jeremie Frimpong, and promising left-back Miloš Kerkez.
The club is not done yet. Reports suggest a blockbuster move for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak is in the works, while England international Marc Guéhi is also believed to be close to joining. If completed, these signings would provide both immediate quality and long-term stability in key positions.
Compared with their rivals, Liverpool’s fan optimism is second only to Chelsea’s 98%. Brighton’s 95% and Sunderland’s 91% round out the top four, while Newcastle languish at the bottom with just 19% optimism.
The hope-o-meter itself is a straightforward yet revealing concept. Each year, The Athletic asks self-identifying Premier League fans one simple question: “How are you feeling about your club’s prospects this season?”
Supporters respond with ‘optimistic’ or ‘pessimistic,’ often adding comments to explain their mood. While not a statistical model, it has become a popular pre-season ritual and a talking point among fans.
Opta’s latest supercomputer projections have reinforced that belief, giving Liverpool a 28.5% chance of retaining their Premier League crown.
This represents a dramatic leap from the 5.1% likelihood they were assigned at this stage last year, underlining how their transformation has been recognised beyond Anfield.
These figures come from simulations run 10,000 times as part of Opta Analyst’s comprehensive season preview, painting Liverpool as one of the main contenders to defend the title against the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
Liverpool kick off their 2025/26 campaign with a trip to newly promoted Bournemouth on Friday night. Slot will be eager to see his revamped attack click immediately and set the tone for another title challenge.
A strong start would not only maintain their lofty position in the hope-o-meter but also send a warning to rivals that Liverpool’s hunger for silverware has not diminished.
