Liverpool F.C.

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The 2018–19 season saw Liverpool make several key signings. The first was Naby Keïta, a deal finalised the previous season. On 1 July, Brazilian midfielder Fabinho joined from French club AS Monaco. Liverpool reached a deal with French club Lyon for their captain Nabil Fekir, but the club announced Fekir would be remaining at Lyon. On 13 July, Swiss winger Xherdan Shaqiri was signed from Stoke City for £13 million, his reported release clause. On 19 July, Alisson was confirmed for a £56 million transfer fee, making him the most expensive goalkeeper in history at the time of purchase. Pre-season began on 7 July with a 0–7 victory over Chester, with two goals from Harry Wilson and two from Daniel Sturridge. On 10 July, Liverpool beat Tranmere Rovers 2–3. On 14 July, Bury held Liverpool to a 0–0 draw at Gigg Lane. On 19 July, Liverpool defeated Blackburn Rovers 0–2. In the International Champions Cup, Liverpool lost 1–3 to Borussia Dortmund on 22 July, beat Manchester City 1–2 on 26 July, and beat Manchester United 1–4 on 29 July. On 4 August, Liverpool defeated Napoli 5–0 in Ireland. The final pre-season fixture was on 7 August at Anfield, a 3–1 victory over Torino.

Reader's Guide

The Premier League season opened on 12 August at Anfield against West Ham United. Liverpool won 4–0 with goals from Salah, Mané (two), and Sturridge, putting Liverpool in first position of the league table for the first time since November 2016. On 20 August, Liverpool won 0–2 at Crystal Palace, with a penalty from James Milner and a late goal from Mané. On 25 August, Liverpool beat Brighton & Hove Albion 1–0 at Anfield, taking maximum nine points from the first three league fixtures for the first time since the 2013–14 season. On 1 September, Liverpool beat Leicester City 2–1, with goals from Mané and Firmino, despite a howler from goalkeeper Alisson that led to a Leicester goal. On 15 September, Liverpool won 2–1 away at Tottenham Hotspur, with goals from Wijnaldum and Firmino, marking the club's best start to a season since 1990. In the UEFA Champions League, Liverpool beat Paris Saint Germain 3–2 on 18 September, with goals from Sturridge, a Milner penalty, and a last-second winner from Firmino. On 22 September, Liverpool beat Southampton 3–0, winning a seventh straight game in all competitions from the start of a season for the first time in 28 years. On 26 September, Liverpool lost to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup third round, ending their unbeaten start to the season. On 29 September, Liverpool drew 1–1 with Chelsea in the Premier League, with Sturridge scoring a late equaliser.

Did You Know?

• Liverpool scored 97 points in the 2018–19 season, the then third-highest total in English top division history and the most points scored by a team without winning the title.
• Liverpool matched the club record of 30 league wins in a single season in 2018–19.
• Liverpool became just the second club in Premier League history to score four or more goals in four consecutive games against a single opponent (West Ham United).
• Liverpool's 4–0 comeback win over Barcelona in the Champions League semifinal overturned a 3–0 first leg deficit.
• Alisson's £56 million transfer fee made him the most expensive goalkeeper in history at the time of purchase.