Photograph: Liverpool FC/ Getty Images
Brilliant coaching, a way to win
When Manchester United last won the league title in 2013, Liverpool remained mired in a period often referred to as the dark ages. The club was widely regarded as a relic of past glories, admired for its history, but no longer considered a serious contender for the Premier League crown. Although Liverpool had claimed trophies such as the Champions League and the FA Cup, the league title felt elusive, more a distant dream than a tangible ambition.
The appointment of Jürgen Klopp marked a turning point. Under his leadership, Liverpool emerged from obscurity, and for the first time in years, fans began to believe that a title challenge was within reach. Klopp delivered on that belief, recruiting players of the right calibre; individuals who were hungry, driven, and passionate about playing for the club.
Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mané came to embody Klopp’s brand of football: dynamic, high-pressing, and relentless. By his third season at the helm, Liverpool had developed a competitive edge, standing toe-to-toe with teams that, on paper, were considered superior.
The 2019/20 season was a watershed moment. Liverpool went on an extraordinary unbeaten run and clinched the Premier League title for the first time since the competition’s rebranding. Yet, the triumph was bittersweet. With stadiums empty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no fans to share in the jubilation, and the moment felt oddly hollow. From that point, the team’s spirit appeared to wane.
Klopp departed after the 2023/24 season, leaving behind a squad in transition. Salah and Virgil van Dijk were in the final year of their contracts, while Real Madrid had reportedly set their sights on Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Arne Slot was not Liverpool’s first-choice replacement; he was, in fact, the fourth. With a background at a less illustrious club and limited top-tier experience, many supporters viewed him as a temporary solution—a steady hand to guide the club, perhaps capable of securing a domestic cup in his first or second season.
Yet, Slot defied expectations. He quickly developed a strong rapport with senior players, fostering trust and confidence. More impressively, he achieved what no other manager has in Premier League history: winning the title in his debut season. Slot not only embraced the identity forged by Klopp but also built upon it, strengthening the team and adapting effectively to the physical demands of English football.
Slot’s achievement is unprecedented, both among foreign and domestic managers since the Premier League’s inception, or even the days of the old First Division. Nevertheless, questions remain. Has Arsenal and Mikel Arteta lacked the cutting edge to seal the deal? Was Slot’s triumph a stroke of fortune? Or has Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City side finally lost its dominance?
There is no definitive answer yet. Time will offer clarity. For now, Arne Slot deserves recognition for what he has accomplished at Liverpool. His impact has been immediate, impressive, and potentially transformative.
