After establishing a significant lead at the top of the Premier League, Liverpool were confirmed champions, concluding their remarkable season under new manager Arne Slot with a dominant 5-1 victory against Tottenham Hotspur.
In the final months of their title charge, Liverpool maintained control, navigating minor challenges thanks to the insurmountable lead they had built early on. While this might have led to a somewhat anticlimactic conclusion to the title race, their initial push to the summit was far from guaranteed at the season`s outset.
The transition from the Jürgen Klopp era, a successful near-decade, was surprisingly swift under Arne Slot. Slot quickly found his footing at Anfield, losing just one game across all competitions until early January. The Dutch coach, new to England, subtly shifted the team from Klopp`s intense attacking style towards one with more tactical restraint, yet achieving similar high results when at their peak. This explosive start provided a vital buffer, ensuring they didn`t end the season without a major trophy, despite exits from the FA Cup, Champions League, and a League Cup final loss in quick succession during the winter.
As celebrations commence across Liverpool, let`s reflect on the key trends that shaped the Reds` title-winning campaign and ensured Slot`s inaugural season at Anfield was a resounding success.
Mohamed Salah`s Exceptional Form
An element of surprise surrounded Liverpool`s dominant title run, partly due to the feeling of transition at the season`s start. Minimal transfer activity the previous summer meant Slot worked with a squad built for Klopp, potentially delaying his own imprint. Adding to this uncertainty, key veterans Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk were entering the final year of their contracts, raising questions about their future.
However, the timing of such a transition proved unpredictable, and Liverpool`s gamble on Salah having another stellar year paid off spectacularly. The most memorable aspect of their title success might well be the showcase of arguably the finest six months of Salah`s illustrious career. The 32-year-old scored and assisted with remarkable ease, contributing significantly between August and February (his current tally stands at 33 goals and 33 assists across competitions). His individual form mirrored the team`s; their dip in the spring coincided with his dry spell, but the early-season exploits had already secured their title bid. This performance led to a new two-year deal and pushed him into the Ballon d`Or conversation, adding another layer to an already legendary status. Whether he can maintain this level is a future question, but as `last dances` go, this individual performance was truly exceptional.
Manchester City`s Unexpected Dip
Another factor making Liverpool`s title run less predictable was Manchester City`s performance. Pep Guardiola`s side had won the previous four Premier League titles, and while questions arose about sustaining that level for a fifth, few foresaw the extent of their decline this season. An early setback was Rodri`s ACL injury in September.
However, a string of poor results in the autumn revealed issues beyond a single player`s absence. Guardiola himself ruled them out of the title race before the New Year, stating there was `no chance` when City trailed Liverpool by 14 points in late December. He was proven right; City spent the season`s final weeks vying for a Champions League berth, a position not even guaranteed in a highly competitive season partly fueled by their own inconsistent form.
City`s struggles coincided with an unusual season for many Premier League top sides. Arsenal secured a likely third successive second-place finish and showed consistency but never mounted a serious challenge to Liverpool. Chelsea genuinely embodied a year of transition under their new manager Enzo Maresca. Meanwhile, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur endured unusually poor campaigns, leaving them battling for lower positions. In essence, Liverpool were the only team consistently performing at a title-winning level, making them deserved champions.
Arne Slot`s Immediate Impact
If uncertainty defined Liverpool`s season initially, Slot was its personification. While his reputation from Feyenoord (winning the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup) marked him as an exciting young manager, an adjustment period in England seemed reasonable. Liverpool`s quiet transfer window also suggested the team wouldn`t immediately transform to Slot`s tactical vision.
However, the new manager hit the ground running, quickly implementing his managerial style despite working with a squad still reflecting Klopp`s influence. Slot rapidly instilled a pragmatic approach without sacrificing results. Although his side averaged fewer shots than Klopp`s previous team, the attacking output was comparable during the first six months. Even when facing more difficulties in the latter half of the season, Slot clearly demonstrated his place among Europe`s top coaching ranks and stands out as one of the first young managers to successfully make this significant leap.
New challenges await Slot next season. The stumbles encountered this campaign indicate Liverpool could benefit from updates, which will accelerate the transition from the Klopp to the Slot era. What the latter ultimately looks like is a compelling question, making the Reds a fascinating team to follow in the years ahead.
