Focused

Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have signed new contracts.{Photograph}: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC/Getty Photos

Arne Slot was denied the proper Feyenoord ending by PSV, when his crew completed seven factors behind their rivals, albeit having received the Dutch Cup. Eleven months on, he’s poised to mark his first season as Liverpool’s head coach by changing 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.

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Ideas of spite is not going to enter Slot’s thoughts, nevertheless. 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 responsible for that.

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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 facet’s 100% document towards the underside three – of 5 wins, 15 targets scored and 5 conceded – nobody will probably be panicking at taking part in doomed Leicester.

Regardless of the failings of these heading down and the hole on the prime, Liverpool’s success and consistency shouldn’t be underestimated. Slot is adamant English soccer is the world’s finest, prompting him to run by means of among the season’s troublesome video games. “Wolves at dwelling, even Southampton at dwelling, Plymouth away, which isn’t even at Premier League stage,” he says, earlier than mentioning this month’s

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Smaller golf equipment are much less aggressive within the Dutch prime 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 . “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 convey so many good gamers in.”

This season’s most interesting crew don’t have the fashion of a peak Pep Guardiola facet, 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 prime since 2 November and regardless of the odd flirtation from chasers they’ve by no means appeared like dropping their grip on first place because of ruthless effectivity.

Issues that Virgil van Dijk, Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold would depart for nothing this summer time grew all through the season, however offered no on-field distraction. This month and however the England defender will nearly actually . 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 prime of the league.

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The expertise of Van Dijk and Salah has been key they usually deserve the precise to raise 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 offered anybody with a lot of a problem underneath Van Nistelrooy, who was PSV supervisor in 2022-23 when Slot received the Eredivisie with Feyenoord. Final Saturday’s introduced their first level and league targets since late January. Slot ought to be capable to head dwelling 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 fun securing Liverpool’s record-equalling twentieth championship. “I’m solely interested by attempting to win a sport of soccer towards Leicester,” he says. Others may not be believed, however Slot has by no means let his focus drift. Solely when mathematically assured will he really get pleasure from himself.

Supporters, gamers and coaches usually wish to full the job on dwelling turf, but when that isn’t to be the case for Liverpool – who might 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 steel band into second.

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