NUMBER ONE: Luis Díaz & Reds brasse Liverpool supporters celebrated late into the night after the 5-1 win over Tottenham, painting the town red
Image: EPA
NO SOONER had the final whistle sounded at Anfield, confirming Arne Slot’s historic title feat at Liverpool, did the doubters start trying to downplay the achievement.
Koppites celebrated late into the night after the 5-1 win over Tottenham, painting the town red (Bok captain Siya Kolisi was part of the throng).
But the debate has already started about where Slot’s triumph ranks among the great debut seasons by a Premier League manager.
‘Special One’ Jose Mourinho is thrown into the mix for his first-season heroics at Chelsea. Claudio Ranieri’s dilly ding, dilly dong season at Leicester is still the stuff of Foxes fairytales. While Slot’s championship pales in comparison to Leicester’s for shock value, no one also saw it coming.
The Dutchman was supposed to struggle to replace the iconic Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. He would need time to bed into the Premier League. He did not have the proven pedigree for a big club, having come from Feyenoord. Liverpool were set for a rebuilding phase.
He would be lucky to make the top four. He did not have the signings to play the way he wanted to play ... sound familiar?
These were all familiar refrains when the manager arrived before the beginning of the season. Even Slot admitted that the top four was the original goal, but his players proved they were far better than that.
The level-headed Dutchman has managed to transform the team that Klopp built. Ryan Gravenberch, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones and the evergreen Mo Salah are just some of the players who have improved and evolved under his watch.
It helped that Slot has had the ear of the former mentor and could turn to him for advice regularly. Klopp has promised that he will be at the last game of the season, where the championship trophy will be presented.
Their relationship has helped to ensure a smooth transition to the new manager, and played a major role in the Reds’ title run. The situation is rare in top-flight football. It is also a credit to Slot’s humility.
New managers are more inclined to want to start on a clean slate, instilling their playing identity or style on the team. It has often had the undesired effect of tearing apart teams that were only a few puzzle pieces away from greatness.
Reds fans must be so grateful that Arne slotted in so seamlessly.
There are those who argue that Liverpool were only able to win a record-equalling 20th title because of the struggles of defending champions Manchester City and Arsenal.
But that’s no fault of the Reds. The fact is Liverpool are far and away the best team in the league this season. This is borne out by a quick glance at the league table, and the fact that they got the job done with four games to spare.
Another bit of drivel served up by rival fans is that the ‘weaker’ Premier League helped the Anfield giants’ cause. Ask Manchester United or Tottenham, who are languishing just above the relegation zone, just how weak the league is.
If anything, the EPL is arguably stronger than it has been in years. The tight race for the Champions League and other European places is proof of this.
Strong performances by the likes of Nottingham Forest, Fulham and Brighton throughout the season have shaken up the established order. And they don’t look like going anywhere.
Another measure of the current strength of the English top flight is how far EPL teams have gone in European competition.
There is even the potential that six English teams will feature in next season’s Champions League. Five places have already been secured.
Arsenal face PSG in the Champions League semi-final with a strong chance of winning, having brushed aside perennial favourites Real Madrid.
Struggling Manchester United and Spurs are in the Europa League semis. Chelsea are in the same stage of the Conference League.
There is the potential for English teams to hold all three European trophies come the end of the season. So, any talk of the Premier League not being as strong as it used to be is hogwash.
Those trying to pour cold water on Liverpool’s incredible title run should enjoy their crow, with a side of sour grapes.
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