Premier League: 5 reasons why Arne Slot can lead Liverpool to the title
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot seeks to disrupt and thwart Manchester City and Arsenal's Premier League ambition (Credit: Imago)

Premier League: 5 reasons why Arne Slot can lead Liverpool to the title

Seye Omidiora 13:01 - 14.08.2024

The Dutchman seeks to compete against Manchester City and Arsenal for the Reds’ first top-flight title since a historic 2020 triumph.

Arne Slot’s Liverpool reign sees the Dutchman begin with a lunch-time trip to Premier League newcomers Ipswich, with the new boss keen to succeed Jurgen Klopp with victory. 

The Reds had a promising pre-season, underlined by wins over Real Betis, Arsenal, Manchester United and Sevilla ahead of the big kick-off at Portman Road. 

Liverpool
Liverpool were red hot against Sevilla | X

While Liverpool ended last season seven points adrift of Arsenal and nine shy of eventual champions Manchester City, Klopp's men were in a three-way battle for a second Premier League crown to follow their 2020 success. 

The Merseyside club needed a surfeit of late goals to sustain their waning title challenge, and it proved unsustainable as the Reds fell away late in the campaign. 

With a new season imminent, Arsenal are predicted to challenge Pep Guardiola's men in a two-team title race. Pulse Sports highlight five reasons why the Merseyside club could rain on both contenders' parade in 2024-25.

Arne Slot
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot (Credit: Imago) Arne Slot during Liverpool's pre-season match with Manchester United (Credit: Imago)

Why Arne Slot can lead Liverpool to the Premier League title

Continuity

Liverpool's absence of additions and the recent inability to close out a deal for Martin Zubimendi has seen observers play down their prospects. However, Liverpool have retained the spine from last season and hope to avoid the injuries that ultimately undermined their title push.

Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah
Liverpool have kept top stars like Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah (Credit: Imago)

Second season improvement

Having had a season under their belt last season, Liverpool’s midfield additions of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo will hope the experience of the previous campaign stands them in good stead for the 24-25 campaign. 

Alexis Mac Allister
Alexis Mac Allister had a commendable debut season at Liverpool last term (Credit: Imago)

Emphasis on control

We’re trying to find the balance between trying to create chaos at certain moments and trying to keep possession of the ball a bit longer.

Liverpool's receptiveness to end-to-end games under Klopp, while often thrilling, may have ultimately hindered their overall success. Slot favours a more controlled approach, utilising a possession style that should aid and elevate the Reds after the typically heavy metal inclination under Klopp's regime.

Arne Slot
Arne Slot favours a possession-based style (Credit: Imago) Arne Slot is not panicking despite Liverpool's lack of transfer activity (Credit: Imago)

“There are a lot of similarities with Jurgen Klopp, with the way they played in the past, and I’m hoping we will see these similarities in the upcoming weeks and months," said the Liverpool boss ahead of their season opener at Ipswich.

“Maybe the only slight difference there is, is that after we win the ball, I like to go forward just as Jurgen liked it, but I sometimes like it when players try to keep the ball and not play the difficult ball, where Jurgen or the former regime maybe liked the chaotic scenes in and around the 16 a lot as well.

"I think we’re trying to find the balance between trying to create chaos at certain moments and trying to keep possession of the ball a bit longer in other moments.”

Slot’s man management

Klopp's man management was crucial to Liverpool's ascent as title contenders and Slot's communication skills were lauded at Feyenoord. The new man in charge has been applauded for improving players in the past, which should boost the club's prospects and aid the club's succession plan after Klopp. 

Arne Slot
Arne Slot was praised for improving players at Feyenoord (Credit: Imago)

⁠Mohamed Salah

While Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold are pivotal to the club’s ambition in 24-25, Mohamed Salah arguably remains the Reds' leading superstar. 

Trent Alexander Arnold and Alisson
Trent Alexander Arnold and Alisson should be important for Liverpool under Arne Slot (Credit: Imago)

Despite the forward's late-season falling out with Klopp being a black mark under the departed manager, it should not distract from the team's most prolific forward notching 18 goals and setting up 10 for teammates, with 28 goal contributions last term behind only Cole Palmer (33), Erling Haaland and Ollie Watkins (32).

Mohamed Salah
Only three players outdid Mohamed Salah's 28 goal contributions last season (Credit: Imago)

With no Africa Cup of Nations in mid-season, Slot will have his team’s best player available for his maiden campaign at Anfield.