Liverpool, long tired of finishing second to Manchester City, struck a decisive blow in the Premier League title race with a commanding 2-0 victory at the Etihad on Sunday. Arne Slot’s men now enjoy an 11-point lead over second-placed Arsenal, who suffered a 1-0 home defeat to West Ham on Saturday, effectively ending their hopes of winning the league for the first time in 21 years.
The Reds are no strangers to prolonged title droughts, having waited 30 years between their 18th top-flight title in 1990 and their 19th in the pandemic-affected 2019/20 season. Now, they stand on the verge of equalling Manchester United’s record of 20 English league titles, thanks to Slot’s smooth transition as the successor to the legendary Jurgen Klopp.
Smooth Transition Under Arne Slot
Replacing Klopp seemed an impossible task after his emotional farewell at Anfield last season. The German tactician had revived Liverpool’s fortunes, guiding them from mediocrity back to the pinnacle of English and European football over a nine-year reign.
“No one saw us as title contenders when the season began,” Slot remarked, reflecting on the widespread belief that Klopp’s departure would weaken Liverpool’s challenge.
However, Klopp left behind a squad packed with experience and championship pedigree, including Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Andy Robertson, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“Me and the big guys in the team, we need another title,” Salah affirmed, emphasizing the hunger within the squad.
Klopp’s final 18 months also saw him refresh Liverpool’s squad with the signings of Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Cody Gakpo. This rejuvenation allowed Slot to hit the ground running and maintain Liverpool’s competitive edge.
City’s Rebuild Begins
While Liverpool are on the rise, Manchester City are facing a challenging period of transition. Pep Guardiola has dominated English football since his arrival in 2016, securing six of the last seven Premier League titles. However, this season, City have struggled to maintain their usual standards, falling 20 points behind Liverpool and languishing in fourth place.
City invested heavily in January, spending £170 million on four new signings. Three of them—Omar Marmoush, Nico Gonzalez, and Abdukodir Khusanov—featured in Sunday’s defeat. Guardiola has hinted at further reinforcements in the summer as he looks to restore City’s dominance.
Despite the loss, Guardiola found positives in his team’s performance. Unlike their recent humiliating defeats to Arsenal and Real Madrid, which saw them crash out of the Champions League, City put up a fight against Liverpool, dominating possession and forcing their opponents to defend resolutely.
“If you lose, you have to lose the way we lost today,” Guardiola stated. “I saw many things that show this club has a bright future with the players we have.”
Salah’s Brilliance Shines Through
City clearly missed the presence of Erling Haaland up front, as their dominance in possession failed to translate into goals. In contrast, Liverpool had the ever-reliable Salah leading the line.
At 32, Salah is enjoying one of his finest seasons, despite ongoing speculation about his future. With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, there is uncertainty about whether he will remain at Anfield. Regardless, Salah is determined to make his mark before any potential departure.
This season, he has been in sensational form, scoring 30 goals and providing 21 assists in 38 appearances. His numbers underline his continued importance to Liverpool’s success.
“I think the numbers speak for themselves,” Slot said. “Today, there weren’t many moments where we could bring him into promising positions, but whenever he had the ball in dangerous areas, he was always a threat.”
Slot further praised Salah’s ability to impact games despite defensive responsibilities: “It’s not easy for an attacker when they have to defend and then create something special when they get the ball. But for Mo, right now, not many things seem difficult.”
Slot’s Instant Impact
Arne Slot has adapted seamlessly to life in the Premier League, endearing himself to Liverpool fans with his tactical intelligence and ability to get the best out of his squad. Under his guidance, Liverpool have shown resilience, consistency, and attacking flair.
With just a handful of games remaining, Liverpool are within touching distance of the title. Barring a late collapse, they look set to reclaim their place at the summit of English football. Slot’s immediate success has ensured that Liverpool’s transition from Klopp to a new era has been a smooth one, giving fans plenty of reason to dream of continued dominance.
As the season nears its climax, Liverpool’s emphatic victory over City could well be remembered as the defining moment that secured their 20th league title and cemented Arne Slot’s status as a worthy successor to Klopp.