Reserved and targeted Slot can savour Liverpool’s success as title beckons | Liverpool

Arne Slot was denied the right Feyenoord ending by PSV, when his crew completed seven factors behind their rivals, albeit having gained the Dutch Cup. Eleven months on, he’s poised to mark his first season as Liverpool’s head coach by turning into a Premier League champion and will seal the trophy by defeating a PSV and Manchester United legend, Ruud van Nistelrooy, and confirming Leicester’s relegation.

Ideas of spite won’t enter Slot’s thoughts, nonetheless. He has been reserved since arriving at Anfield, however followers would enjoy finishing a merited title triumph on the King Energy on Sunday. The added needle is way wanted as a result of Liverpool’s superiority has made the title race tedious. Others are accountable for that.

The benefit over second-placed Arsenal is 13 factors with six video games remaining. A defeat for the Gunners at Ipswich on Sunday adopted by a Liverpool win would enable Slot to plan his outfit for the open-top bus parade. Contemplating his aspect’s 100% file towards the underside three – of 5 wins, 15 targets scored and 5 conceded – nobody can be panicking at taking part in doomed Leicester.

Regardless of the failings of these heading down and the hole on the high, Liverpool’s success and consistency shouldn’t be underestimated. Slot is adamant English soccer is the world’s greatest, prompting him to run via a number of the season’s troublesome video games. “Wolves at residence, even Southampton at residence, Plymouth away, which isn’t even at Premier League degree,” he says, earlier than mentioning this month’s defeat at Fulham.

Smaller golf equipment are much less aggressive within the Dutch high division, he says. “It’s not solely the Eredivisie. You see this in Spain, you see this in Italy. A number of managers have mentioned one thing about that.”

Liverpool wanted a late winner to beat West Ham final Sunday. “They’ve gamers that may play for us and also you don’t see that within the Italian league, you don’t see this within the Spanish league, you don’t see this within the Eredivisie,” Slot says. “You solely see this within the Premier League and that’s why it’s such a well-liked league. That’s why individuals pay a lot cash, broadcasters, and that’s why we are able to deliver so many good gamers in.”

This season’s most interesting crew would not have the model of a peak Pep Guardiola aspect, however they set the usual early with unfussy 2-0 wins over Ipswich and Brentford. The spectacular type of Mohamed Salah has helped Liverpool sit high since 2 November and regardless of the odd flirtation from chasers they’ve by no means appeared like shedding their grip on first place because of ruthless effectivity.

Considerations that Virgil van Dijk, Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold would depart for nothing this summer time grew all through the season, however supplied no on-field distraction. This month the Dutchman and Egyptian dedicated to Liverpool however the England defender will virtually actually pack his baggage for the Bernabéu. Van Dijk did loads of badge kissing and it didn’t really feel performative; he at all times needed to remain as a result of life doesn’t get higher than being high of the league.

The expertise of Van Dijk and Salah has been key they usually deserve the suitable to elevate the trophy with out contractual shadows over them. It might have been bittersweet for Liverpool to win the league and lose three males who’ve contributed a lot over the previous eight years.

Leicester haven’t supplied anybody with a lot of a problem below Van Nistelrooy, who was PSV supervisor in 2022-23 when Slot gained the Eredivisie with Feyenoord. Final Saturday’s draw towards Brighton introduced their first level and league targets since late January. Slot ought to be capable to head residence to the Netherlands after the match for a two-day break a joyful man, even when the title has to attend.

He has not deliberate how he’ll have a good time securing Liverpool’s record-equalling twentieth championship. “I’m solely occupied with attempting to win a recreation of soccer towards Leicester,” he says. Others won’t be believed, however Slot has by no means let his focus drift. Solely when mathematically assured will he actually get pleasure from himself.

Supporters, gamers and coaches typically need to full the job on residence turf, but when that isn’t to be the case for Liverpool – who may additionally win the title on Wednesday with out taking part in, when Arsenal host Crystal Palace – they are going to be placated if issues are accomplished and dusted early. There have been two league defeats, considerably surprisingly towards Nottingham Forest in addition to Fulham. Liverpool cruised previous Manchester Metropolis in two fixtures, making them look a shadow of the one which twice edged Jürgen Klopp’s heavy metallic band into second.

Months of exhausting work has alleviated the strain. “The one factor I care about is the league desk,” Slot says. “I like to have a look at it in the intervening time and I hope I can nonetheless like to have a look at it in a single, two, three, 4, 5 – 6 video games.” The time for fear will quickly be over.