When legendary manager Jürgen Klopp announced his shock departure from the hot seat at Liverpool Football Club in January 2024, the club’s support was battening down the hatches for a tumultuous period of rebuild, with an overhaul of the squad and hierarchy needed following the golden years under Klopp. A whirlwind of rumors and names was to follow before Klopp’s heir was finally earmarked — a calculated, clearly spoken Dutchman by the name of Arne Slot.
This decision was met with narrow-eyed skepticism from the wider football community, as the former Feyenoord boss lacked some of the star power of certain alternatives, however it would eventually prove to be the shrewdest of shrewd appointments.
A quiet first transfer window in charge for Slot further tempered expectations ahead of the new season, as many pundits expressed doubts over Liverpool’s chances of a top 4 finish, let alone challenging for the title. However, a strong run of form in the first couple months of the season had experts scrambling to reconsider, as they recorded eight wins in their first nine games displaying a more refined, controlled version of the “heavy metal football” made famous by Slot’s predecessor — much reflecting the contrasting personalities of the two managers.
The season’s success was defined by a run of fixtures around November that would send a shiver down the spine of any football fan, as Slot’s men faced champions of their respective leagues Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid and Manchester City in the space of two weeks — emerging from a hellish period with flying colors, dispatching their rivals 4-0, 2-0 and 2-0, respectively. This run of form firmly stamped their card as title contenders, banishing doubters and making believers of the fanbase.
Despite a valiant exit from the Champions League at the hands of PSG and a disappointing Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle, the Slot machine powered on in the Premier League, with their next domestic defeat not coming until April in a trip to Fulham. As challengers Arsenal faltered in their pursuit, the Reds opened up a comfortable lead at the top, and finally the day came where an Anfield crowd could bear witness to their team playing for the title for the first time since 1990, given that celebrations of their 2020 triumph were marred by COVID-19 restrictions.
On April 27, Liverpool played host to Tottenham Hotspur knowing that a draw would be enough to etch their names into history. Bathed in red, the Anfield faithful did not disappoint in creating a daunting atmosphere, spurring their heroes on to a comfortable 5-1 victory — with a stunner from outstanding midfielder Alexis Mac Allister the pick of the bunch — as his side were crowned champions of England for the 20th time, drawing them level with storied rivals Manchester United, currently enduring a 12-year title drought and on course for their worst ever top-flight season, languishing in 16th place at the time of writing.
Their success was due in large part to the mercurial form of prolific front man Mohamed Salah, who broke the all-time record for most goal contributions in a season and delighted supporters in signing a new two-year deal to ensure that one of the club’s greats would continue to grace the Anfield turf for seasons to come.
Although the Reds’ league campaign has been a storming success, a messy separation from once-beloved local hero Trent Alexander-Arnold has cast somewhat of a media shadow on celebrations as he announced his decision to leave the club following a shady, drawn-out saga surrounding his future. The Liverpool-born right back and current vice captain was booed mercilessly by the fans who once adored him in his first appearance since the announcement, with Alexander-Arnold’s handling of the situation leaving a sour taste in the mouth of many a Liverpool fan.
Elation and enthusiasm has not been curbed however, as the Reds seem set for an active transfer window as Slot sets out to put his own stamp on the personnel available and take steps toward further domestic and European domination. With Arne Slot at the helm, the future — and indeed the present —in the red half of Merseyside is very bright indeed.
