Arne Slot’s Liverpool are quite comfortably ahead of second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League table.
The Reds have 64 points in 27 matches, while Arsenal have 53 from 26.
This puts the Reds as firm favourites for winning their 20th league title and thereby equal Manchester United’s record.
Slot is being eulogized quite understandably as a result, as he is on his way towards becoming the first manager since Antonio Conte to win the Premier League title with Chelsea on his debut season in England – and fifth manager overall.
This is quite an achievement, given the fact that the likes of Pep Guardiola, Mikel Arteta and Ange Postecoglou ply their trade in English football.
Taking the Reigns in Style
The turnaround in Liverpool’s fortunes started under Jurgen Klopp, as the German manager took them to Premier League glory after 30 years and also a UEFA Champions title.
Not to mention that Liverpool regularly made it difficult for Manchester City in the latter’s multiple title-winning campaigns.
Slot has inherited a wonderful team from Klopp, the rebuilding for which had started in the 2023/24 season when almost the entire midfield was revamped.
Liverpool already had a lot of depth in their defence and attack, which hardly needed any major reinforcement.
Slot, quite judiciously, decided against making a major signing for the current season.
He also kept the essence of the team unchanged and played with the same 4-3-3 formation that Klopp had been using.
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How Much Credit Does Arne Slot Deserve?
Football, like any other sport, is a result-oriented industry and follows a winner-takes-it-all policy.
As a result, one has to give the Dutchman his due credit for having managed his resources well.
However, what has helped his cause further are the facts that Mohamed Salah has been having one of his best seasons and Manchester City have been below-par in Rodri’s absence.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have ensured that the Liverpool defence is water-tight mostly, as the Reds have let in only 26 goals in their 27 league matches.
Only Arsenal have conceded fewer goals this season.
Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation for the Reds as a holding midfielder, strengthening his team further.
Slot has kept things quite simple as a manager, making his team play fast, aggressive football with a lot of passes and keeping the defence tight at the same time.
It is not Slot’s fault that Man City are playing well below their potential and Arsenal refused to sign a striker.
Therefore, no credit should be taken away from the Dutch manager, who is poised to become the first man from his country to win the Premier League title as a manager.
Paramount Cautiousness
The Reds will have to remain cautious ahead of their next league match against Newcastle United as well as their Champions League fixture against Paris Saint-Germain.
The Reds will have to keep the momentum in their Premier League campaign and will also avoid a potential banana skin against PSG in the Champions League.
Should Slot be able to keep his team going, he will be celebrated just like his predecessor was at Anfield in the recent past.
The Reds’ faithful will be hoping for the continuation of the wonderful performance of their team.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Sportimage
Recording Date: 23.02.2025