By Martin Graham
Arne Slot arrived at Anfield last summer with little fanfare, stepping into the role after Jurgen Klopp’s surprise departure. The Dutch coach had earned recognition for his work at Feyenoord but was an unfamiliar name for many supporters and untested in English football.
His quiet approach contrasted sharply with Klopp’s charismatic style. Expectations were tempered, with most fans agreeing that a top-four finish and Champions League qualification would be a realistic goal for his first campaign.
Twelve months later, Slot’s Liverpool side are reigning Premier League champions, sealing the title with a 10-point gap and four matches remaining, rarely challenged after the turn of the year. Yet a season of triumph has been clouded by the tragic death of Diogo Jota in a car accident and injuries to several fans during the title parade.
Sporting focus has shifted as the club embarks on a new season under different circumstances. A heavy summer outlay, potentially surpassing £300m, now makes them favorites to retain their crown. Major signings include Florian Wirtz for £116m, full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong for £70m combined, striker Hugo Ekitike for up to £70m, and teenager Giovanni Leoni for £26m. A move for Marc Guehi is progressing, while interest in Alexander Isak remains.
From hunters to hunted
With such investment, Slot is under pressure to secure more trophies, including another league title and a Champions League challenge. Rivals Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City have also reinforced, aiming to avoid a repeat of last year’s one-sided title race.
Slot has maintained composure since taking charge, only showing frustration after a fiery Merseyside derby draw at Everton in February, when he was sent off. Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy believes Slot’s calm manner will help him deal with heightened demands, noting his measured responses even after losses to Paris St-Germain and Newcastle United last season.
Murphy emphasized that while expectations are higher, integrating numerous new players will take time. The pressure at Liverpool, he said, differs from their previous clubs, and the process will involve an adjustment period.
A squad in transition
Liverpool’s arrivals have been balanced by significant exits. Trent Alexander-Arnold departed for Real Madrid on a free transfer, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez moved to Bayern Munich and Al-Hilal, and Jarell Quansah joined Bayer Leverkusen.
Such turnover is unusual for a title-winning side and was evident in their Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace. New signings Frimpong, Kerkez, Wirtz, and Ekitike all started, but the display lacked the cohesion of last season. The absence of suspended midfielder Ryan Gravenberch further exposed gaps in midfield stability.
Finding the best role for Wirtz will be crucial, as his versatility could disrupt the midfield trio of Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Alexis Mac Allister that worked so well last year.
Murphy warned there could be early setbacks, noting the difference between this season’s squad integration and last year’s settled line-up. Fans, however, are likely to remain patient, trusting Slot’s ability after his success in blending control with attacking quality during the title run.
Martin Graham is an MFF sports writer
