As of the second week of December, with 14 matches played, Liverpool sat at the top of the table with 35 points. With a game in hand, they’re still 4 points ahead of Chelsea and 6 points ahead of Arsenal, with the teams in 2nd and 3rd place respectively.
It has been a season characterised by excitement and increasing momentum but also an unfamiliar level of stability and calmness. One of the weaknesses of Jürgen Klopp’s Liverpool side was an inability to maintain the same level of consistency throughout an entire match.
That inconsistency made many matches in previous years painful to watch for Liverpool fans. On the other hand, it kept things very interesting for bookmakers and sports bettors. Tight title races and teams that either come through or fold in the final moments of a game make for fun betting seasons with odds that might pay out hugely.
The UK’s best betting sites will always offer balanced odds, but this season, finding any long odds on Liverpool winning will be challenging. With chaotic players like Darwin Núñez on the pitch, prop bets are still a good option with the potential for big wins. There’s always the potential for a collapse, especially with the pressure on the club from fans, pundits, and the media.
How much of Liverpool’s success is due to Arne Slot? This article will try to answer that question and consider how important Slot has reshaped their title aspirations.
Expectations
It is always difficult for a club when a successful manager leaves at the end of a successful season. It rarely happens compared to managers being fired after a series of losses or at the end of a humiliating season. Klopp had a huge personality, and his time with Liverpool saw some of the club’s most successful seasons in recent decades.
This all meant that expectations for Arne Slot’s first season were pretty low. He wasn’t a well-known Premier League manager, and his career in the Netherlands was impressive but less than a decade long. Fans trusted that Klopp would have made a wise choice with his successor. Still, it was hard to think the club would finish in the top 3 in 2024-25.
Slot and the Liverpool squad have exceeded those expectations, and fans have embraced the cheerful Dutchman. He has returned their affection, and the positive relationship between the manager, players, and fans is continually reflected, likely adding to their success.
Style of Play
It made sense for Klopp to want Slot as his successor at Liverpool. They have a very similar style of football that they want their squad to play. Slot is known for getting his players to set tactical traps between intense and relentless pressing. It’s a style of football that keeps the pressure on the opposing team high and keeps the play in the opponent’s half of the pitch.
This style of play was well suited to the squad that Klopp had developed and left behind at Liverpool. The aggressive forward momentum that the team is able to maintain is a sign of extensive training and developing the right mindset.
With such similar play styles, there was no significant change in the lineup or training regimes with Slot’s arrival. From this viewpoint, it could be argued that his impact is minimal. While it’s not fair to say that he’s simply caretaking a team primed for success, his job wasn’t as difficult as it could have been.
Personality
Arne Slot’s personality is where we’re seeing the most significant change from Klopp, and it is how he can have such a big impact. Klopp was a popular manager and a popular figure in the media, primarily because of his intensity. Klopp showed all of his emotions. This intensity could be inspiring. It also could alienate staff and players. He could get the best out of players but could also break the confidence of players, bruise egos, and undermine players.
On the other hand, Slot has gone into the role with a calmer and gentler personality than most of his contemporaries. As a new face to the Premier League, he came in with less ego than many managers. He also seems to be a genuinely pleasant person who’s enjoying his job.
That positive energy is contagious. The Liverpool squad seems more relaxed and confident, which leads to fewer mistakes and more willingness to take risks. That may be a part of the ridiculous number of wild shots on goal in some matches. In general, however, Slot’s positive vibes appear to be contagious in the best way possible.
Final Thoughts
Arne Slot’s impact has been a surprise for most people. There have been a few wobbles in the transition. Instead, Slot’s positive presence and creative style have inspired the squad to perform higher than anyone expected. We’re seeing from Liverpool this season that training and tactics are central, but personality and communication provide that special something.