The Reds needed just one point to secure the league title on Sunday, but they stormed to a comfortable 5-1 win at home and wrapped up the title in style.
Liverpool are currently 15 points clear of second placed Arsenal, and it is evident that they have left their rivals in the dust this season. The Reds have been untouchable all season and they have thoroughly deserved to secure the domestic crown.
When Arne Slot was appointed as Jurgen Klopp’s successor in May 2024, nobody would have expected the Dutch manager to deliver the league title within the next 11 months. However, Slot has defied all odds and proven the naysayers wrong.
Here at the Hard Tackle, we look at a few factors that helped Liverpool reach the promised land.
Liverpool have certainly evolved from Klopp’s heavy metal style of football this season. However, they are still an attacking team that relies on high intensity, pressing from time to time.
Slot has not moved away from the style implemented at the club by his predecessor. Instead, he managed to merge the best of both worlds, delivering a more sustainable philosophy.
Liverpool are no longer pursuing their previous relentless pressing football. They have become much more composed and patient with their football. That has helped Liverpool cope with the rigours of the season, despite having a small squad. It has also helped prevent major injuries throughout the season.
Clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham have struggled in that regard. They have had persistent injury problems this season. Liverpool have certainly benefited from Slot’s sustained dominance instead of Ange Postecoglou’s gung-ho approach.
Liverpool have operated for most of the season with Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch as their preferred midfield two. Despite doing well in most competitions, the two players managed to go through the season unscathed, and Slot’s measured approach has to be praised for that.
Liverpool have an experienced squad full of leaders. Even though they have not won major trophies in the last few years, they have a squad full of players who are Premier League champions and UEFA Champions League winners. Even though a new manager has come in, Liverpool have pretty much held on to the same unit that has won the major trophies over the years.
Even though there has been change at the helm, the team is mostly unchanged and that has helped build continuity.
The winning experience, the strong leadership spine, the incredible team chemistry built by Klopp prior to Slot’s arrival has surely contributed to this title win.
Players like Alisson Becker, Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson have been through it all, and it is no surprise that they have all contributed in fair measure to help Liverpool get over the line this season.
While most of their rivals are going through a period of rebuilding, Liverpool have held on to the usual suspects, and they have managed to get the job done for the club.
Slot has not only built on Klopp’s foundations, but he has done well to maximise the output of his key players this season.
The way he has used Mohamed Salah this season is commendable and it has had a huge impact on Liverpool’s season. Salah looked shackled under Klopp last season, and the high pressing style meant that the Egyptian ran out of steam often.
Slot handed him the licence to focus on the attacking aspects of his game and leave his defensive responsibilities on the shoulders of his teammates. The 32-year-old has excelled because of the freedom handed to him. He has 56 goal contributions this season, and he has shown the devastating impact he can have in the final third when he is given a free role.
With the midfield doing most of the heavy-duty pressing and running, Salah has been able to focus on scoring goals and creating opportunities for his teammates.
Manchester City declined. This season has surely played a huge part in Liverpool’s title win. While there is no doubt that Liverpool have been exceptional and they deserved winners of the league, Manchester City were expected to put up more of a fight.
Unfortunately, for them, they are going through a period of rebuilding, and Liverpool seems to have cashed in on that. Manchester City have had a major injury in the form of Rodri, and most of their players have underperformed as well.
Pep Guardiola’s men have failed to mount any sort of challenge this season, and it has certainly helped Liverpool. Even though Arsenal were fighting for the league title, they are simply not as good as Manchester City have been in recent years.
Arsenal currently find themselves 15 points adrift of the champions. While there is no doubt that Liverpool have been the better team, the Gunners are not as bad as the league table makes them look. There are poor transfer planning has let them down this season. They have failed to add depth in the key areas, and they have suffered a crisis during injuries. In addition to that, they have failed to address glaring weaknesses in the side. Arsenal are in desperate need of a reliable finisher, and the failure to bring one in has cost them another league title.
Liverpool have won the league title fair and square this season. They are undoubtedly the best team in the country right now, and they are back on top of English football. However, they cannot afford to rest on their laurels. They need to start planning for the future, and they will have to address the weaknesses in their squad during the summer transfer window. If they want to continue competing with the elite clubs, they will have to bring in the necessary additions.
Slot has barely made any new signings since coming into the club, and the Liverpool hierarchy will need to step up and produce the goods behind the scenes. They will need to back the manager with substantial funds this summer and help them improve further.
Liverpool clearly have many weaknesses on the side, and they were exposed during the Champions League exit against Paris Saint-Germain. It will be interesting to see if they can plug those gaps in the squad ahead of the new season.
