It’s early days in the 2024/25 Premier League season but there are already positive signs for Liverpool under their new manager Arne Slot.
With the spotlight firmly on the Dutchman after the departure of the iconic Jürgen Klopp from Anfield over the summer, there are reasons for Liverpool fans to be optimistic for the campaign ahead.
Slot Made a Statement With Old Trafford Result
After avoiding potential banana skins in their opening two games of the Premier League season against newly-promoted Ipswich Town and Brentford, Liverpool’s first real test of the campaign came at the start of September at Old Trafford. Liverpool, who are 9/2 for an online bet to win the Premier League title this season, enjoyed some memorable games against rivals Manchester United under their former boss Klopp, with a 7-0 win at Anfield in March 2023 being the highlight. The Red Devils, who are outsiders at 66/1 with online betting tips and predictions to win the title this season, would have been hoping Klopp’s departure from Anfield might have brought about an end to Liverpool’s dominance in this fixture. That was not to be the case for United boss Erik ten Hag, who witnessed his side suffer a 3-0 defeat to Slot’s side at Old Trafford.
Slot played a patient but offensive brand of football against United, with his Liverpool side piling the pressure on the hosts and forcing them into mistakes. The Merseysiders then punished those errors, with Luis Díaz bagging himself a brace, before Mohamed Salah wrapped up the victory with a third. It was a result Slot would have dreamed about before a ball was kicked at Old Trafford, with a performance that will have been a warning shot to other title contenders Manchester City and Arsenal.
Defences Win Titles
Not conceding a single goal in their opening three games of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign, Liverpool’s strong start to the season was built on the foundation of a strong defence. Slot has inherited a strong backline, with club captain Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence. The Netherlands skipper will be a key figure at the back and he has quality either side of him, with the likes of Ibrahima Konaté, Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The last time Liverpool won the Premier League was back in the 2019/20 season when they finished 18 points clear of second-place Manchester City. It was a remarkable campaign in which Klopp’s Reds only lost three league games and boasted the best defence in the competition. Conceding just 33 goals in 38 games, that title success was founded on a resilient defence and Slot will be looking for the same in the Premier League this term.
It’s still very early days in the new season and much can change over the course of the coming months in the battle for the English crown. However, it’s been a positive start from Dutch tactician Slot and Liverpool fans can be assured there does seem to be life after Klopp.
