Liverpool are pushing for another Premier League title win. Under previous manager Jurgen Klopp, the Reds were the team that challenged Manchester City the most during Pep Guardiola’s dominance and successfully lifted the trophy in 2020. Now, with new boss Arne Slot, the team are flying at the top of the table.
Having pulled clear of City, who endured a losing run in November, and Arsenal, who have also stuttered, Liverpool are favourites to finish first and claim league title number twenty. There is much to do and a large chunk of the campaign remaining but this article will assess whether the Reds have what it takes to get the job done.
Strong Start
Whoever came in to replace Klopp at Anfield was going to face plenty of question marks and be the subject of many doubts. The German had enjoyed such an exciting and successful spell at Liverpool and forged such a bond with the fanbase that the new man always had big shoes to fill in. However, since arriving from Feyenoord, Slot has proved he has been able to take on Klopp’s team and style and put his own take on it while still winning games of football.
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By the end of November, Liverpool had won 17 games across three different competitions, only losing once and drawing another game. Slot’s side topped the Premier League table with ten victories out of 12 games and also boasted a 100% record five games into the newly-formatted Champions League. In the League Cup, the Reds took a smooth route to the quarter-finals and will be favourites when they take on Southampton for a place in the last four of the competition.
The Reds’ December Fixtures
December is a big month for Liverpool and navigating successfully will see the team get a strong grip on top spot. After facing City on the opening weekend, the Reds have another eight fixtures before the New Year and a busy festive period lies ahead.
First up is a midweek trip to Newcastle United which will be followed with an historic trip to city rivals Everton. The lunchtime game will be the final Merseyside derby league fixture to be played at Goodison Park as the Toffees will move to Bramley Moore Dock before the start of next season. With the games coming thick and fast, the Reds will be back in Champions League action and travel to Spain to face LaLiga side Girona.
Four days later, Liverpool will finally be back at Anfield to host Fulham before being on the move again, this time heading south to take on Southampton in the League Cup. Then, four days later, it’s Premier League action once more as they face Tottenham in the capital. The Reds will welcome Leicester to the red half of Merseyside on Boxing day and then go to London again to meet West Ham. With 18 points available in the top-flight, it could prove to be a defining four weeks in the calendar.
Mohamed Salah Impact and Future
It has been well-documented by talk among supporters and the player himself that this could be Mohamed Salah’s final season at Anfield as he awaits the offer of a new contract. Whether this is the start of a long farewell or the Egyptian is handed fresh terms and another year or two with the club, either scenario could prove the catalyst for Salah to fire Liverpool to glory.
With more than 220 Reds goals to his name, the forward is in the top five in the list of all-time goalscorers for the club and will forever be a legend at Anfield. Salah remains the talisman at home and abroad and is the bright spark for Liverpool in the Premier League, domestic cup tournaments and Champions League. Whether playing a key role in a huge victory or digging the Reds out of a difficult tight spot, Salah, it seems, is always on hand to deliver the goods when Liverpool need him most. if this is to be his swansong, defences are going to struggle to contain him if his incentive is to go out in style or, impress at such a level, the club simply have to give him a new contract.
Wrapping Up
Many fans were worried when Klopp announced he was leaving Liverpool and apprehensive about how the man would keep the club moving in the right direction. However, Slot has steered the Anfield ship expertly and has ensured the Reds are competing at the top of their game which was imperative to quell any season doubts. Even if Manchester City are able to respond positively to recent poor form, Liverpool and Slot are firmly in the driving seat and December is a crucial time.