Are Liverpool genuine title contenders under Arne Slot?

Arne Slot’s time at Liverpool has been outstanding so far. Many were unsure if the Dutch manager had the credentials to live up to Jurgen Klopp’s legacy at Anfield after eight years in charge of the Reds. However, Slot’s early games suggest his side could upset Premier League betting and challenge for the title this season.

Indeed, Liverpool find themselves in a three-way dance for supremacy in England’s top flight this season – competing with Manchester City and Arsenal to win their first Premier League title since 2020. It will take a monumental effort, but given the impressive start the new manager has made at Anfield, it’s certainly possible to turn doubters into believers.

In this article, we take a look at why we think Slot’s Liverpool could become champions elect in his first season at the club, and what the future looks like with the Dutchman in charge.

Learning from mistakes

Slot has already shown he is far more ruthless than Klopp when it comes to his decision making. After hooking Jarrel Quansah – who had been his starting centre-back throughout the whole of pre-season – on the opening day win away at Ipswich Town, it’s clear that the starting XI will be picking itself when everyone is available.

Despite losing Alisson Becker and Diogo Jota, players have stepped up throughout the first exchanges of the new season, the home loss to Nottingham Forest the only blemish on an unbeaten start.

The loss to Forest will have taught Slot about complacency in the Premier League, and that anyone can beat the big teams on their day.

New style of play

While Liverpool have adopted a similar formation to what they were used to under Klopp, the German’s heavy-metal football has been toned down and exchanged for some Dutch soft rock, with Slot preferring to dominate possession and focus on winning duels rather than press as intensely for all 90 minutes.

In the long run, this will benefit Liverpool, who must manage Premier League fixtures alongside the new Champions League format – remaining unbeaten in Europe too at the time of writing.

Having taken four points from Chelsea and Arsenal in marquee matches this early in the season, the home games against Real Madrid in the Champions League and Manchester City four days later will really be a test of the Reds’ title credentials.

Making the team his own

The summer transfer window was frustrating for Slot, with several key targets opting against a move to Anfield, including Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

Two new signings were eventually secured in Federico Chiesa and Giorgi Mamardashvili, with the latter returning to Valencia on a season-long loan before linking up with the squad next June.

What’s most impressive about Slot’s time at Liverpool is how he has continued to win games with a side that is compromised of another manager’s players. Yet, the slight adjustments he has already made have set the framework for what is to come over the next few windows.

It will be interesting to see if Liverpool make any moves in January. Historically, Slot has opted against reinforcing his squad in the winter window – the only exception being the year he won the Eredivisie title with Feyenoord in 2023. If the Reds remain competitive across the league and in Europe, it could require some extra bodies to get the job done.

Overall, the Slot era is up and running at Liverpool, and a surprise title victory in his first season would go some way to etching his name in Anfield folklore.