Arne Slot inherited a Liverpool team blessed with title-winning quality and nine years of wisdom imparted by his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.
Liverpool play Tottenham Hotspur today knowing that a win or a draw will see them celebrating their second title of the Premier League era – this time, with Anfield full of jubilant Reds supporters.
The Dutch manager has taken the raw materials he was given at Liverpool and made the tweaks required to capitalise emphatically on the shortcomings of other title challengers.
Where Arsenal have faltered and Manchester City have failed, Liverpool have stayed the course.
If and when they confirm what looks like an inevitable Premier League title, few of their supporters will mourn the loss of a double, a treble, or even better. The league is the one that matters.
Slot will undoubtedly include Klopp in his post-match acknowledgements but he has made one significant change to Liverpool’s preparations that surely had a positive effect.
Shortly after bedding in at Anfield, Slot told Sky Sports about the importance of a good night’s sleep.
“There was [already] a really good culture of players being on time, so I hate it if we have to talk about fines and these kinds of things for players being late,” he said.
“It’s normal that you’re on time. But that culture was already here, so maybe the only one – I’m not sure it’s a rule – but they used to go into hotels a lot the day before a game, and that’s what we’ve changed, because I and my staff feel the best place to sleep is your own bed, so it gives you the best rest possible.
Arne Slot (Image: Getty)
“That’s one of the few things we’ve changed. So before a home game the players are in their own house, their own bed, instead of being in a hotel.”
There’s been a sense of inevitability for some months around the Reds’ imminent title win and the build-up to Sunday’s game against Spurs was dripping with anticipation.
Anfield was surrounded by Liverpool supporters eager to share a moment of Premier League glory together for the very first time.
Liverpool look certain to claim a joint-record 20th league title this season. Prior to Klopp’s behind-closed-doors triumph in 2019-20 they hadn’t won the league since Kenny Dalglish guided them to top spot in 1989-90.
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Topics: Liverpool, Liverpool Transfer News & Rumours, Arne Slot, Premier League, Champions League, Jurgen Klopp