Slot’s Liverpool clinch second title of Premier League era

Sunday April 27 saw Liverpool clinch the Premier League title with four games to spare, after cruising to a 5-1 victory against Ange Postecoglou’s sorry Spurs.

On a day where even a point would have seen them crowned champions, it was the visitors who came out of the blocks the quickest, with Dominic Solanke heading in from a corner to open the scoring.

Yet, from then on, absolutely nothing was to spoil the hosts’ day. Five years on from former captain Jordan Henderson lofting Liverpool’s maiden Premier League trophy in front of an empty Anfield during Project Restart, Arne Slot’s side responded with five unanswered goals to inaugurate a celebration well over three decades in the making.

Liverpool emerged early on as comfortable front runners in the title race under their new Dutch boss

These strikes came courtesy of Luis Díaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, and an own goal from unfortunate Spurs full-back Destiny Udogie. The Egyptian international and Anfield legend, having recently signed a new two-year contract extension, even found time during the match to celebrate his twenty-eighth league goal of the season with a selfie in front of the Kop.

Salah has been in scintillating form this term, also notching a total of eighteen assists for teammates in league play. He currently sits one goal involvement away from breaking the Premier League’s all-time record in a single season.

Liverpool emerged early on as comfortable front runners in the title race under their new Dutch boss. Slot joined in May last year as the standout candidate to replace departing club  legend Jürgen Klopp. Despite his domestic success at former club Feyenoord and reputation as an innovative young coach, very few expected such a dominant league performance in what is only his sixth season in senior management.

Under Slot, Liverpool have cruised to the Premier League title virtually unchallenged. His side currently sit a now-unassailable fifteen points ahead of second-place Arsenal, having lost only twice in the league all season.

This year’s triumph makes it twenty English top division titles for the Reds, having claimed their very first in 1900-01. Liverpool now sit level with rivals Manchester United in this regard, as well as a total three major trophies ahead of The Red Devils as the most successful club in English football history.

However, Slot and Liverpool may well see this season as an opportunity missed, rather than one plucked from thin air. Despite securing the Premier League title, The Reds have stumbled on multiple occasions in the search for further silverware this season.

Defeat to Newcastle United at Wembley was a real disappointment

Following FA Cup humiliation away to Plymouth Argyle in February, Slot’s side were eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and lost the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle within the space of one week.

With Paris Saint-Germain now looking like favourites to win their maiden Champions League title this season, Liverpool’s narrow elimination to the French side looks much more forgivable now than it did seven weeks ago. Yet, defeat to Newcastle United at Wembley five days later was a real disappointment – Slot’s side hardly turned up.

Nevertheless, the ease in which Slot not only succeeded Klopp, but equalled his Premier League tally, will no doubt convince Liverpool fans that the glory days are far from over. Influential captain Virgil van Dijk has joined Salah in renewing his Anfield deal, giving Slot the ideal backbone around which to build next season’s team and challenge for further titles.