Liverpool transfer agreement reached as Arne Slot sent Marc Guehi message

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Echo or go back to LFC Live.

But with one eye also on 2026, and Liverpool slowly showing signs of recovery on the pitch, they also offered their take on what they hope to see happen in the New Year…READ MORE: Liverpool receive major Antoine Semenyo transfer update as 'gentleman's agreement' madeREAD MORE: Liverpool could be without eight players for Wolves after fresh injury updateIAN DOYLEPlayer of the Year - Dominik SzoboszlaiA difficult one as there has been such a discrepancy between the first half of the year and the second half. But there's little doubt Dominik Szoboszlai has been the standout performer this term and did more than enough in the second half of last season to claim the accolade.Match of the Year - Liverpool 5-1 Tottenham HotspurA much easier one.

But is that really enough to overlook what he achieved last year?He was Liverpool’s standout player by a country mile as they won the Premier League title, producing astonishing numbers in an incredible campaign. Yes, he was at his best in the first half of the season, as were the Reds, but he still produced 20 goal contributions during the second half of the campaign before cleaning up all the individual end-of-season awards.Dominik Szoboszlai has arguably been Liverpool’s most consistent performer across the entire calendar year, and has been their best player so far this season.

But having agreed to join Liverpool in September, surely it’s worth another go.Player to watch in 2026 - Hugo EkitikeThis is perhaps a rather more obvious shout than it would have been at the start of December, but Hugo Ekitike has emerged as one of Liverpool’s stars of the season - and there is no reason to believe he can’t keep it up in the New Year.He started incredibly well for the Reds, only for his form to dip alongside Liverpool’s as they embarked on that horrendous losing run.But he has been in incredible form in December, following up braces against Leeds United and Brighton & Hove Albion with the winner at Tottenham Hotspur.With Alexander Isak now sidelined for a couple of months with a fractured leg, the Frenchman is the Reds’ leading striker. We can but hope.MARK JONESPlayer of the Year - Dominik SzoboszlaiIt's difficult to marry together what was a coast to the league title in the second half of last season with the ups and more frequent downs of this one, but Dominik Szoboszlai has been a strong constant throughout.The 2-0 wins over Manchester City and Newcastle in February which effectively secured the title were both marked by Szoboszlai goals, and this season he has been the player to deliver constantly when others around him have struggled.Some of Szoboszlai's team-mates might be more closely associated with the standout moments of 2025, but few if any of them are ending the calendar year as well as the Hungarian.Match of the Year - Liverpool 5-1 Tottenham HotspurAn obvious one but the 5-1 win over Tottenham which led to scenes not witnessed at Anfield for 35 years simply has to be the standout occasion of the year, and the scenes around the ground that day will stay with those of us who were there for a very long time.Goal of the Year - Diogo Jota vs EvertonGreat strikes, brilliant team goals and important moments en route to the title all come to mind, but the 2025 goal I will always remember above all others will be Diogo Jota's winner against Everton in April.The quick feet, the sharp mind, and the deadly finish.