You know the feeling. It’s February, the power curve has absolutely skyrocketed, and every team you face in Champions looks exactly the same. It’s Mbappe, it’s some random 92-rated SBC winger from the Bundesliga you’ve never heard of, and a backline of meta pace-monsters. Honestly? It gets boring. This is exactly why the Liverpool past and present FC 25 build has become the go-to project for anyone who actually wants to enjoy the game instead of just chasing the next shiny card.
There is something inherently satisfying about seeing Steven Gerrard spraying passes to Mo Salah, or watching Virgil van Dijk cover for a marauding Trent Alexander-Arnold. It feels right. It feels like football. But building a competitive P&P isn't just about throwing random Reds into a lineup. With the new FC 25 "Roles" system and the way Evolutions (Evos) have fundamentally changed card progression, you actually have to think like a manager.
The Foundation: Why the Liverpool Past and Present FC 25 meta is different this year
FC 25 introduced Player Roles, which dictates how AI behaves off the ball. This has been a massive curveball for theme teams. In previous years, you just looked at pace and work rates. Now? If you’re playing a Liverpool P&P, you have to look at whether your Xabi Alonso card has the "Deep Lying Playmaker" role+ or if your Darwin Nuñez is actually making the "Advanced Forward" runs you need.
Liverpool is uniquely blessed in this game. Because the club has such a massive history and a current squad filled with high-rated talent, you aren't scraping the bottom of the barrel for decent players. You have a pool that spans from the 1980s legends to the modern-day "Mentality Monsters."
Think about the spine. Alisson Becker remains one of the few goalkeepers who doesn't feel like a bronze card when facing a finesse shot. Virgil is Virgil—he has that "aura" that makes attackers stumble just by being near them. But the real magic of the Liverpool past and present FC 25 journey this year is the Icons and Heroes.
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The Midfield Engine Room
If you aren't using Steven Gerrard, are you even doing a Liverpool P&P? His Icon card this year feels punchier than in FC 24. His "Power Shot" PlayStyle+ is basically a cheat code if you can find a yard of space outside the box. But he needs a partner. Many players are opting for the Javier Mascherano Hero card or the Xabi Alonso Icon.
Mascherano is particularly interesting this year. Because of the new tactical presets, you can actually utilize him as a "Half-Back" who drops into the defensive line. It mimics how Rafa Benitez used to set up. On the flip side, if you're lucky enough to have the coins for Kenny Dalglish, the "King" is still arguably the most clinical finisher in the game. His 5-star weak foot is a lifesaver in laggy gameplay.
Evolutions: Keeping the "Present" in Past and Present
Evolutions are the secret sauce. Without them, cards like Jarell Quansah or Harvey Elliott would be fodder by November. This year, the "Power Up" paths are more frequent.
Take Cody Gakpo. His base card is okay, but after two or three specific Evos, he becomes a physical beast on the left wing. Same goes for Stefan Bajčetić. If you’re doing a "true" Liverpool past and present FC 25 build, you’re likely tracking his loan at Salzburg while boosting his stats in-game. It’s a labor of love. It’s about taking a 75-rated youngster and turning him into a midfield general that can hang with Gullit.
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Wait, we have to talk about the "Past" players who aren't Icons yet. Players like Sadio Mane (now in the Saudi League) or Gini Wijnaldum. They are essential for the bench. Mane still has that unique body type that makes him feel faster than his stats suggest. Even without the Liverpool chemistry link, he slots in perfectly because of the way FC 25 handles "Club" chemistry for former players if you use the right manager items.
Dealing with the "Left Back" Problem
Let's be real. If you aren't using the UCL version of Andy Robertson or a high-rated John Arne Riise Hero card, the left-back spot is a struggle. Riise’s "Dead Ball" PlayStyle+ is a weapon. If you get a free kick anywhere within 30 yards, it's basically a goal. His shot power is comical. It’s the kind of thing that makes your opponent pause the game and quit out of pure frustration.
Tactical Setups for the Anfield Feel
To make your Liverpool past and present FC 25 squad feel authentic, you can't just play a standard 4-4-2. You need that high-octane, heavy-metal football.
- The 4-3-3 (5): This is the classic Bobby Firmino era setup. You need a False 9. If you have the Darwin Nuñez "Evolution" card, he can actually play this role surprisingly well, though he's more of a traditional "Target Forward."
- The "Heavy Metal" Press: Set your defensive line to 70+ depth. It's risky. You'll get caught on the counter by those Mbappe-sweats. But when it works, and you win the ball back with Mac Allister in the final third, it’s beautiful.
- Player Roles: Set Trent Alexander-Arnold to "Inverted Wingback." Watching him drift into midfield to ping long balls to Luis Diaz is the peak FC 25 experience.
The nuance here is in the "Passing" roles. Since the update, long passing is actually viable. You can finally replicate those cross-field diagonals that are a staple of the Liverpool identity.
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Why most people fail with Theme Teams
They give up. That’s the truth. You’ll lose a game to a "Meta" squad and think, "Maybe I should just buy Van Dijk’s gold card and pair him with Eder Militao." Resist the urge. The beauty of the Liverpool past and present FC 25 challenge is the constraint. It forces you to learn your players. You know exactly what Fernando Torres can do on his right foot. You know exactly how much space Ian Rush needs to get a shot off.
The Financial Aspect
Building this squad isn't cheap. Icons like Robbie Fowler or Michael Owen might be affordable, but the top-tier versions of Gerrard or Dalglish will cost you millions of coins.
- Invest in the "low" Icons early. 2. Save your Evos. Don't just throw an Evolution onto a player because you can. Wait for the one that adds "Intersept" or "Relentless" to your midfielders.
- The "Past" players are often cheaper. Look for players like Emre Can or Raheem Sterling who might get "Flashback" cards. These are gold for a P&P squad.
Honestly, the best part is the community. When you load into a match and see someone else with a Manchester United or AC Milan P&P, there’s an unspoken respect. It’s no longer about who spent the most on FC Points; it’s about who built the better tribute to their club.
Making the move toward a Final Eleven
If you’re starting today, focus on the foundation. Get the gold versions of Alisson, Trent, and Virgil. They are the bedrock. Then, look at the SBCs. EA frequently drops Liverpool-related content. Whether it's a "Showdown" card for a massive Premier League clash or a "Centurions" Icon, you need to have the fodder ready.
Building a Liverpool past and present FC 25 team is a marathon, not a sprint. You'll get frustrated when a 99-pace winger burns your 82-rated Evo defender. But when you score a screamer with Stevie G in the 90th minute to win a match, it feels ten times better than any goal scored with a generic meta player.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Squad:
- Audit your current Evolutions: Check if you have any active "Club Legend" or "Relentless" Evos that can be applied to current Liverpool youngsters like Conor Bradley or Quansah.
- Check the Market for "Forgotten" Reds: Look for high-rated cards from former players in other leagues, like Philippe Coutinho or Fabinho, to fill bench spots for tactical variety.
- Set your Tactics to "Aggressive Interceptions": This mimics the Klopp/Slot transition style and works effectively with the high stamina of cards like Dominik Szoboszlai.
- Monitor the "Hero" Market: Prices for Riise and Mascherano tend to dip during Sunday night sell-offs—this is your window to grab them for the low.