Over the years, Liverpool has often been a place for fans to look forward to the future with past achievements. This season is similar, with The Kop leading the Premier League but still leaving doubts about the stability of the remaining journey.
Liverpool's history is associated with patience with coaches. From Bill Shankly - who took 3 seasons to win his first major title, to Jurgen Klopp - who brought home his first domestic championship in 30 years, the "Red Brigade" is always a team that believes in the long-term construction process.
However, everything seems to be changing under new captain Arne Slot. In just 5 months in charge, the Dutch coach has put Liverpool at the top of the Premier League and Champions League. If he maintains his current form, Slot could join a rare ranks of coaches like Joe Fagan and Kenny Dalglish, who won the title in their first season in charge.
However, there are reasons to worry about Liverpool's next phase. In the 2015-16 season, the Anfield team under Klopp took the top spot in November but ended up finishing only 4th. That was a period when the team faced fierce competition from teams like Chelsea and Leicester City, as well as pressure to improve the squad through the transfer window.
However, there is a great feeling that Liverpool's season has made a difference. Last season's top two teams, Man City and Arsenal, are struggling with injuries and inconsistent form. Meanwhile, The Kop has shown more solidity thanks to the balance between attack and defense, along with the remarkable improvement of individuals in the squad.
The Liverpool that Arne Slot took over is no longer the team that needs to be rebuilt like under Jurgen Klopp. The current squad has depth and quality, and behind-the-scenes issues have also been significantly resolved thanks to the coordination between departments under the management of Sports Director Richard Hughes.
The Dutch strategist did not let the pressure weigh on him. On the contrary, he emphasized organization and balanced play, helping the team not only control the game well but also create explosive moments when needed. This is especially important as Liverpool are about to enter a challenging series of matches against strong opponents such as Man City, Newcastle, Real Madrid and Everton.
Currently, although Man City is facing instability, Pep Guardiola's team will be able to quickly regain stability and break away in the championship race. However, there is no reason for Liverpool when data from Opta shows that the "Red Brigade" has a 58.3% chance of winning the silver cup, far exceeding The Citizens' 38%.
With a glorious history and support from fans, perhaps Liverpool should not be afraid when considering the leading candidate for the championship. Instead, they need to see this as an opportunity to assert themselves under Arne Slot, who is writing a new chapter at the Merseyside port city team.
In the coming weeks, a series of tense matches will be a real test for Liverpool's ambitions. However, if Slot and his students continue to maintain their form, there is no reason for them not to dream of a brilliant successful season. This time, The Kop are not only looking into the past, they are ready to welcome the future.
