New Delhi: A famous manager once said that eras must come to an end and while Jurgen Klopp’s era did come to an end, it wasn’t the case for the Reds. This seems like the beginning of Liverpool’s era as another week another win for the Dutchman as they head into the international break. When Arne Slot took charge at Anfield there were understandable skepticism but the initial doubts quickly faded as the Reds found themselves solidly in the Premier League title race and fans have started believing that the second league title is within reach.
Are they favourites? Though Liverpool haven’t missed a beat so far, yeah it’s premature to crown anyone this early in the season but let’s take a look at the potential reasons that could romp Liverpool’s victory this season.
Similar start, better results…
Liverpool have joined an elite group of just six teams in Premier League history to hold a five-point lead after the first 11 matches. The first five times ended up winning the title including Jurgen Klopp’s 2019-20 Liverpool, the last time a team were so far clear at this stage in the game. After Klopp’s departure last summer, many questions were raised about how Liverpool would fare but under Arne Slot they’re thriving.
The Red’s consistency and determination speak volumes for them as they were leading the standings for more days than any other team but ended up finishing third when Manchester City became champions again. But the Reds were the only clubs to prevent Man City from lifting the trophy in the last seven seasons and so far it seems they are likely to repeat the same this season.
Klopp’s 2019-20 team amassed 31 points after 11 games whereas Slot’s Liverpool has also showcased similar strength having earned 28 points in 11 matches a testament to the team’s new defensive solidity without losing Klopp’s trademark fight. The Reds have conceded just 6 goals and kept six clean sheets, marking the highest in the league so far. Their recent comeback against Aston Villa even evoked memories of that 2019-20 season when Klopp’s Liverpool staged a dramatic last-minute comeback against Villa, marking a turning point in their campaign.
Liverpool’s next league game is November 24th. By that point, we’ll have still only conceded 6 goals in the Premier League.
In 23/24, we conceded 7 goals in the first 7 games of the season.
Slot has transformed this team ⛔️ pic.twitter.com/FyC853EFW7
— LFC Stats (@LFCData) November 10, 2024
The last time they claimed the title in 2019-20 one main factor that players in their favour was an uncharacteristic dip in Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. In that season they stumbled finishing 18 points adrift of the Reds. City were trailing by six points despite boasting a superior goal difference they slipped and allowed Liverpool to seize the control. The competitive landscape is surprisingly similar this season, Man City has made a subdued start this season by their high standards are trailing five points behind Liverpool.
Missing viable challengers
Liverpool’s path to the title race appears more realistic due to a limited pool of strong challengers. This season only Manchester City and Arsenal seem poised to compete for the title. Manchester United, Aston Villa and Chelsea are struggling with consistency and squad-building issues. At the same time Tottenham’s early-season momentum has also been hindered by defensive vulnerabilities and occasional complacency, which narrows Liverpool’s focus to City and Arsenal allowing them to strategize and stay competitive without as many distractions from other potential title threats.
🏆 Liverpool extend their lead at the top
📈 Ipswich out of the relegation zone
😳 One point between third and ninth
Presenting your Premier League table ahead of the international break 🌎 pic.twitter.com/OlTWQZdjcm
— Premier League (@premierleague) November 10, 2024
With Manchester City and Arsenal both struggling with injury concerns, the Citizens will be without the services of their midfield lynchpin Rodri for the rest of the season while Arsenal represented an added challenge this time around but the start has been uneven for the Mikel Arteta’s side. With two consecutive second-place finishes the Gunners are left with no margin for dropping more points and even look burdened at times by the urgency of silverware.
Under Arne Slot, the Liverpool side are playing freely and if the Reds can maintain their momentum, the ascendancy could tilt in their favor, making them a serious contender for the Premier League title this season.
Arne Slot effect
🚨. EXCLUSIVE: ✨ Liverpool heading into the international break:
▫️Top of the Premier League
▫️Top of the Champions League table
They are 𝐅𝐋𝐘𝐈𝐍𝐆 under Arne Slot 🤩👏 pic.twitter.com/AFIAVkn2w7
— Emeka Obodo (@emekaobodo23) November 10, 2024
When Jurgen Klopp departed Liverpool faced a tough task in maintaining the high standards he set. Yet Arne Slot has seamlessly transitioned into the role, propelling Liverpool to the top of the Premier League and Champions League. His impressive run at Feyenoord, where he clinched an Eredivisie title and guided the club to European success has translated well to Liverpool where his measured approach is transforming their title hopes.
Slot’s focus on defense has been remarkable. Liverpool’s steadfast center-back pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate has provided Liverpool a foundation for dominance especially when the score is tied. When the game is tied Liverpool’s xG ratio is a league-leading 85%, reflecting their tactical mastery under Slot as they prioritize high-quality chances over speculative shots.
Slot’s strategic approach has even approved the team’s shot selection. The Reds have reduced their average shot distance from 17.2 yards last season to 15.7 this season focusing more on creating high-quality chances and nearly abandoning long-range attempts.
This disciplined attack strategy has allowed them to create more “great” chances when tied or up by a single goal demonstrating Slot’s ability to adjust in real time and conserve his players’ energy without compromising results.
Additionally, Slot’s methods have helped them keep the injury low, addressing a significant Klopp-era issue. His lower-intensity training approach reduced the strain that had often led to injuries in previous seasons. This calculated pace aligns with Slot’s game strategy, allowing Liverpool to maintain a high level of performance while avoiding excessive wear and tear.
Slot’s Liverpool are a strategically evolved side that marries defensive stability with offensive efficiency and injury prevention. As the season progresses, Liverpool’s new approach under Slot has positioned them as serious contenders perhaps even favorites to reclaim the Premier League title.
Challenge ahead…
Liverpool’s upcoming fixture list might be the toughest you’ll see all season.. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/OrOxLBrk0T
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) October 7, 2024
Liverpool have a long way to go and we will see if the Reds suffer injuries to pivotal players who can strike at any moment just look at the fallout when Virgil van Dijk sustained that injury against Everton.
While both he and Mohamed Salah have impressive resilience, the Premier League can turn on a dime if key figures are sidelined and both are integral to Liverpool’s success. The current state seems promising but their early-season schedule did not pit them against any real heavyweights other than Manchester United and have some seriously tough games coming up. They have to play Newcastle, Everton, and Tottenham Hotspur away games while they host Real Madrid three days before their crucial visit to Manchester City.
The bottom line is that the Reds aren’t obviously going to continue winning every single game but they could actually get better. If the Reds can continue their dominance they might just achieve what they might thought unlikely in the wake of Klopp’s departure: another title and a new era at Anfield.
Check out the reasons behind Liverpool’s Premier League form and how they have every chance of winning the title in Arne Slot’s first season at Anfield. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
