Months after establishing a commanding lead at the top of the Premier League, Liverpool officially secured the championship following a 5-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur. This impressive achievement marks their first season under manager Arne Slot.
In the final phase of their title push, Liverpool largely went into autopilot mode, navigating minor obstacles thanks to the significant advantage they had established early in the season. While this might have led to a somewhat uneventful conclusion to the title race, their rise to the summit wasn`t easily foreseen when the season began.
There was initial uncertainty about how smoothly Liverpool would transition from the nearly nine-year Jurgen Klopp era, which had brought considerable success, including one Premier League title, a Champions League trophy, and two other European final appearances. However, Slot quickly found his rhythm at Anfield, suffering only one defeat across all competitions until early January. The Dutch coach, previously only managing in the Netherlands, adapted Klopp`s attacking style, introducing more tactical discipline while maintaining peak performance levels. Their strong start provided a crucial buffer to overcome later-season challenges and ensured they wouldn`t finish the season empty-handed, despite being knocked out of the FA Cup, Champions League, and losing the EFL Cup final within a few winter weeks.
As celebrations commence in Liverpool, let`s examine the key factors that defined the Reds` championship season and guaranteed Slot`s successful debut at Anfield.
Mohamed Salah`s Exceptional Season
Liverpool`s dominant title win contained an element of surprise, given the widespread perception of a transition year at the outset. With minimal transfer activity last summer, Slot inherited a squad assembled for Klopp`s system, potentially slowing the implementation of his own vision. This sense of transition was amplified by uncertainty surrounding veterans Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, both in the final year of their contracts with a realistic possibility of departing soon.
The unpredictable nature of transitions means the exact timing of one era ending and another beginning is hard to foretell. Liverpool`s gamble on Salah having another top-tier season proved successful. Perhaps the most enduring memory of their title run will be its showcase of arguably the best six months of Salah`s distinguished career, a period where the 32-year-old consistently found the net with remarkable ease. He currently boasts 33 goals and 33 assists across all competitions this season, with the majority accumulated between August and February. Salah`s form mirrored Liverpool`s trajectory – their dip in the spring coincided with his scoring drought, though their early-season performance made this less impactful on their title quest.
His outstanding performance was instrumental in Salah signing a new two-year deal at Liverpool and entering the Ballon d`Or discussion, further enhancing an already impressive legacy. Whether he can maintain this level for another two years remains to be seen, but even if his influence at Anfield eventually decreases, his individual performance this season stands out as a potential `last dance` highlight.
Manchester City`s Uncharacteristic Struggles
Another factor making Liverpool`s title win somewhat unexpected was that the trophy had previously seemed Manchester City`s to lose. Pep Guardiola`s side had won the Premier League for four consecutive years entering the season. While questions existed about their ability to sustain this competitive edge for a fifth year, few anticipated the significant decline witnessed this campaign.
Their season initially faced disruption due to Rodri`s ACL injury in September, but a series of poor results later that autumn indicated deeper issues beyond just one player`s absence. Guardiola publicly dismissed their title chances before the new year, stating there was `no chance` of catching Liverpool when they trailed by 14 points in late December. He was correct – City will conclude the Premier League season vying for a Champions League spot, which isn`t guaranteed in this highly competitive year, partly influenced by their own poor form.
City`s dip also coincided with a generally inconsistent year for many of the Premier League`s top teams. Arsenal are likely heading for a third consecutive second-place finish; they were steady but never posed a serious title challenge to Liverpool. Chelsea, meanwhile, truly experienced a transition year under new manager Enzo Maresca. Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, conversely, have been relegated to lower-half finishes after notably poor campaigns. In essence, Liverpool were uniquely prepared for the challenge and justly claim the championship as a result.
Arne Slot`s Promising Beginning
If initial uncertainty defined Liverpool`s season, Slot embodied it. There was no doubt the former Feyenoord boss had earned such a role, having won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup and establishing himself as a promising young European manager. However, an adjustment period seemed reasonable, and Liverpool`s quiet summer transfer window suggested the team wouldn`t immediately adopt Slot`s tactical framework.
Despite this, the new manager quickly found his footing, showcasing his style while working with a squad still reminiscent of Klopp`s build. Slot swiftly implemented a more pragmatic approach without sacrificing results. While his team averaged fewer shots than Klopp`s the previous year, attacking output remained comparable during the first half of the season. Even as challenges arose later in the campaign, Slot clearly demonstrated his capability at Europe`s top level and appears to be one of the first successful young managers to make this significant step up.
Slot will face new hurdles next season – the difficulties encountered this campaign highlight areas where Liverpool needs reinforcement, which will speed up the transition from the Klopp era to the Slot era. The ultimate shape of the latter is a major question, making the Reds a captivating team to observe in the coming years.
Benedict Kingsley