Liverpool have shown superior strength, far exceeding the predictions at the beginning of the season. Before the 2024-2025 campaign, they were predicted not to be able to enter the two-horse race between Man City and Arsenal. However, these two opponents were truly cut in the back by The Kop.
Liverpool have 79 points after 33 rounds. Last season, Man City was still leading, but after round 33, they also had only 73 points while Arsenal had 71 points. This number cannot show that Liverpool are stronger than Man City last season, but it is an affirmation that Arne Slot's team is much better than themselves at this time last year.
Liverpool have played very well in the competitions they have played for this season. Although there is only one goal, it is undeniable that The Kop's strength once covered Europe. Therefore, defeats against PSG (Champions League), Plymouth (FA Cup) or Newcastle (League Cup) are considered real earthquakes.
Arne Slot's success at Liverpool this season shows that not everyone who invests a lot of money will be successful. The Kop's most recent contract, Federico Chiesa, came in the summer of 2024. The Italian striker did not play outstandingly, not the main factor, so if he wins the Premier League this season, that success will entirely come from the old factors of the Anfield team.
Relying on internal strength to compete for the championship means that players have to develop themselves to a new level. The most typical example is Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutch midfielder has gone from being just a supporting double under Jurgen Klopp to becoming an irreplaceable star under Arne Slot.
Liverpool are also very brave to continue to trust the duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson even though they have been somewhat down compared to their golden age with Klopp. In addition, when Man City could not miss Erling Haaland while Arsenal were still struggling to find a true "number 9", Liverpool played well and did not need that. They have Darwin Nunez but the Uruguayan star is so bad that Arne Slot has had to repeatedly use Luis Diaz to play for this position.
Arne Slot also knows how to give the players more freedom in positions so that they can freely maximize their abilities. Unlike Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta who are too inclined to discipline positions, Slot is not too harsh because he really understands how far the players at his hands can reach.
The most typical example of this philosophy is Mohamed Salah. Last season in the Premier League, the Egyptian striker had a goal of at least 7 years with Liverpool (18 goals in 32 matches). This season, despite the age of 32, Salah had 27 goals in 33 matches. Especially from the beginning of the Premier League season, "Pharaoh Egypt" is not absent any match at this playground.
In the end, Liverpool's successful model this season is to build a team where Arne Slot is not the "center of the universe" like Pep Guardiola's role at Man City or Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
When Slot took over Liverpool, he did not do everything roaring in the media, everything was gentle and modest. All of his statements to the press and actions on the pitch were very moderate. Even on Liverpool's internal channels, considered home, Arne Slot is extremely calm and does not show a large personal ego.
Therefore, despite doing a lot of work for Liverpool in the post-Jurgen Klopp period, this success of The Kop did not necessarily leave the mark of Arne Slot completely. Once the players were honored, this strategist also felt happy because from the beginning, he wanted to share the glory with his students.
Liverpool is no longer too explosive in the last weeks of the season but it is necessary for all rest after a tense period. The Premier League championship is considered to be within reach. Arne Slot, although the Champions League slides, can still be proud, he is the one who contributed to bringing Liverpool to the 20th English championship, thereby balancing Man United's record and worthy of the greatest team in the foggy country.
