Liverpool begins their 2025/26 Champions League journey on Wednesday when they play La Liga stalwarts Atlético Madrid at Anfield for the first European night of the season.
Arne Slot has seen his side show incredible championship mettle to secure four wins from four in the Premier League, with the winning goal being scored late on each time thus far.
He's had several new faces and a few injuries to work through as he continues tweaking things here and there to maximize the return he is seeing on the pitch. With the shift to continental play, it will be interesting to see how the Dutchman keeps adjusting his squad.
These four Liverpool players will play very important roles to how far the Reds go in this season's Champions League.
Ryan Gravenberch
Since he returned from suspension and is fully fit, there has been an extra calm about the Liverpool defense. The Dutch international has picked up where he was last season as one of the best defensive midfielders in Europe.
His elegant style, both on the ball and when cutting out passes or blocking shots, is perfect for the European game.
His close control is very underrated and his ability to kickstart a Liverpool attack is something that elevates the Slot system in the occasionally more open UCL matches that we see.
His defensive reading of the game in front of the back four is also going to be essential when facing some of the elite forwards at Real Madrid, Inter Milan and Galatasaray, among others.
If he's fit, he needs to be relied upon heavily in the league phase over the coming months.
Florian Wirtz
The £100m German attacking superstar was seen as a statement signing by Liverpool as they beat Bayern Munich to his signature.
While he has not erupted onto the scene in England with goals and assists, he has been steadily becoming more influential on the pitch for Slot.
He arguably could have a few assists already had his teammates finished some of the chances he has created for them. However, he has not been bad by any means and the shift to European action and its end-to-end action in most matches, could suit his playing style.
It's a nice reprieve from the weekly grind in the Premier League and Wirtz might finally really be able to stretch his legs and make some magic happen.
He will be a crucial tool in the integration of Alexander Isak into the side as well, and if they can build an early chemistry, it could be huge for Liverpool as a whole. The German has a huge role to play.
Alisson Becker
It sometimes feels like we take the role that Alisson plays for Liverpool for granted. We all know he is arguably the best keeper on the planet, but the conversation often revolves around other names at the club, and fair enough.
However, the Brazilian is still a premier shot-stopper and his skill and comfort on the ball is another outlet when trying to play out from the back.
Even on nights when the Liverpool defense might not be operating at peak levels, Alisson is typically there to make smart saves or aggressively cut out a long ball threat.
When facing the likes of Kylian Mbappe, Vini Jr, Lautaro Martinez and more in the Champions League, having someone like him in net is a huge bonus.
It's inevitable he will be called upon at some point during this competition, perhaps in a shootout or to make a great save late on, and I'd have nobody else but Alisson in goal for those moments.
Alexander Isak
The final addition on this list could have been Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah or a handful of others. They are all going to be hugely important factors in this competition for obvious reasons.
Having said that, one of the big issues that has held Liverpool back from recent Champions League success is a clinical No. 9.
Darwin Nunez was electric, but erratic, and could not be relied upon in the biggest moments. When Salah is unable to find a way during these knockout stage matches, the Reds need a bonafide second option, so enter Isak.
His £125 million arrival on deadline day sent shockwaves across the footballing world and once he is fully up and running, he'll add a whole new dimension to this attack.
His elite finishing skills from all areas on the pitch is a weapon that translates across any competition he plays in.
If he can find his scoring boots in the UCL, Isak has the potential to carry a team through a round or two on his own powers.