When news emerged about Jurgen Klopp’s decision to depart Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season, many were quite fearful about what the next step would be going forward for the club, but as the Reds have shown time and time again, their recruitment team are fantastic.
By no means was Arne Slot an unknown prospect, far from that, as The Guardian reported back in April. The Dutchman had been on the radars of many of Europe’s top clubs in the past few years, so a move to a top five European division was going to happen sooner rather than later, so when the Liverpool job became available, it was time to move.
During the summer there were some reservations, about how high the side could aim under the new manager, but with Slot’s side the favourites for the Champions League and leading the Premier League for most of the season, there is little reason to doubt things.
In fact, the Reds have been consistently brilliant on all fronts this season and if they were to lift silverware at the end of this season, it would not come as a shock - something which many did not think they would be saying.
Another European Trophy on the way?
Under Klopp, Liverpool were always one of the favourites to go deep in the Champions League and given they made the final three times in just four years, their dominance at the top of European football was very evident.
You would be forgiven for not expecting a similar procedure his season, though. At this point of time, the Liverpudlian outfit sit three points clear at the top of the new Champions League league phase - which was criticised by many before its integration, as ESPN recalls, but those with a red allegiance will not be complaining now!
In addition to this, they are the only perfect team remaining in the tournament, winning all six of their games. This can be furthered though, as only Chelsea can say they are replicating this feat in any European competition, but they have played one game less in a considerably easier competition, so they are not really comparable.
Wins have not been against minnows as well. The Reds have beaten AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid so far, so there cannot be any discrediting of their performances. Especially considering Los Blancos have often been a bogey team for the club and were one of the favourites to win the competition this season.
The final two games of the competition at this stage come against LOSC Lille and PSV, who both still have a lot to play for. Lille still have a very real chance of finishing within the top eight, whereas the Dutch outfit will be looking to win a place in the play-offs.
Nevertheless, two wins from two will be the expectation and rightly so given the performances so far. Should performances continue as they have been so far, Liverpool will have a guaranteed place in the final 16 of the competition - which will offer the Reds a break and can aid the squad massively.
A double, if not more, in store?
Winning any silverware this season would, ultimately, be a fantastic achievement for Slot, given the task he has taken on. Yes, the Reds have a phenomenal team, but we only have to look to Manchester United (with delight) about how difficult they found it to replace Sir Alex Ferguson, as the Daily Mail recalls.
Of course, there are differences in replacing Klopp and Sir Alex, that is a given, but the point is that taking over a successful squad and seeing performances match the previous level, if not arguably improve, is a difficult thing to get right and thus far, Slot is doing just that.
Due to the ease of the takeover, there is a very tangible chance that Slot leaves his first season in Merseyside with at least one trophy, but it could very well be a double, if not more…
Atop of the Premier League by two points, the Reds have shown no signs of slowing down at all and with Enzo Maresca recently admitting his side are not yet ready for a title challenge, we could see a gap being formed if Slot’s men continue on the path they have forged themselves so far.
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