When Jurgen Klopp started the “Arne Slot” chant after his final goodbye match at Anfield, the general expectation was that there would be a drop-off of some sort for Liverpool. Klopp had won every trophy there was to grab in his nine years. The team ran through brick walls for him. He activated the crowd. How could anyone follow that success and intensity?
Yet Slot has come in and carried on the winning mentality that the German installed. If anything, the Reds have looked more controlled in possession without resorting to the basketball-style periods in games where they gave up huge chances to the opposition. The goals have been flowing and the defence only conceded five for the first ten league matches.
Many pundits and commentators have pointed to Liverpool’s favorable run of fixtures in the first part of the season. It has given Slot’s side a chance to build a head of steam. He can also act as a pacemaker sprinting away from the pack. The worry is that Liverpool might hit the buffers when they are stretched over a season with tougher fixtures home and away.
Not Missing A Beat
Slot managed Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title in 2022/23. He did not bring any players into the new campaign bar Federico Chiesa. The 46-year-old wanted to assess the squad properly before making any moves. Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi is perhaps the closest to coming to fruition.
The way Slot has molded what Klopp has left him is perhaps the most impressive part of Liverpool’s charge to the top of the tree. They have hardly dropped the chance for points apart from an early Anfield setback against Nottingham Forest. Slot made the mistake of starting Alex Mac Allister and Luis Diaz after their long-haul international duties.
The midfield has been strengthened by Ryan Gravenberch’s use in the deepest role. He can break up attacks and start new ones. It has worked a treat for a player who took a far more minimal role in the previous season. Curtis Jones is now embracing more responsibility and has taken a further step forward for club and country.
But, There Are Some Issues
The problem for Liverpool is that they have a relatively small squad of first-choice world-class talent. The live betting markets will swing if they pick up any significant injuries to star men like Salah or Van Dijk. They are already without Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley until 2025. On the final lap of last season when Klopp needed all of the talent at his disposal, Mo Salah was injured. Diogo Jota was out for a crucial period – as he has been again – and the world’s best goalkeeper Allison Becker picked up an injury. History is repeating itself to an extent.
Caoimhin Kelleher does step in and perform brilliantly for two seasons in a row. However, his mistake against Newcastle in the 3-3 draw showed that a No. 2 cannot always be as consistent.
Liverpool are still in the lead but the same red flags could slow their progress down. The injuries could not have come at a worse time. There is a constant flow of fixtures Liverpool face in the league, including the League Cup, the Champions League, and the forthcoming FA Cup. Last season, they were also chasing a quadruple until it became too much.
Liverpool beat arguably the two best teams on the planet Manchester City and Real Madrid. Such efforts appeared to physically drain the team as they faced the busiest periods up until the next international break in February.
Things Could Go Downhill…
Arsenal, Manchester City and a free-flowing Chelsea are ready to pounce. The defensive and midfield options are stretched. This will concern fans who have become frustrated at FSG’s reluctance to delve into the transfer market.
The other distraction that may cost Liverpool mentally is the contract issues that have centered around Mo Salah. This has somehow turned the Egyptian’s scintillating form into a negative situation. Liverpool’s highest-scoring Premier League player has been the star of the show and yet has been kept waiting for a new deal.
Liverpool is in danger of letting things slip if the options start to recede when the pressure of fighting on four fronts catches up with the side. It may be that it is inevitable that some recruitments in defense or central midfield could be deemed necessary in January.
Liverpool won their Premier League title with a settled squad for most of that incredible season. The victories were a mix of blasting teams away and scoring a huge amount of significant late goals. To claim their second EPL title, they will hope that the wheels don’t fall during the last few weeks as they did when Klopp said goodbye.
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