It’s true that among Liverpool supporters, when Jürgen Klopp announced he would leave the team at the end of the 2023-24 season, there was little optimism for the club’s future. Complaints, introspection, and disappointment loomed over the red side of Merseyside after last season’s lackluster finish.

Once the initial shock of Klopp’s departure subsided, various names surfaced as potential successors, and Arne Slot emerged as a frontrunner. The Dutch coach brought Feyenoord to the top of Dutch football in 2023 for the first time in many years, showcasing beautiful football and leading them to the Conference League final, where they lost 1-0 to Roma in 2022.

However, the truth is that upon hearing about an inexperienced coach who had never worked outside his country and bore the burden of succeeding Jürgen Klopp, almost no fans had much optimism for the future.

Twelve months later, the bald Dutchman, Slot, exceeded the expectations of the fans as well as the goals set by the club’s management in an otherwise transitional year.

Liverpool, with the same core of players and the only addition being Chiesa, who had very few appearances, managed to clinch the championship almost effortlessly, with Mohamed Salah having the best season of his career and dominant Virgil van Dijk anchoring the defense.

Red supporters had the opportunity to celebrate winning the title at home against Tottenham for the first time in 35 years, as in 2020 fans were absent from the stands due to the coronavirus pandemic. This means that more than a generation of Scousers had not seen a Premier League trophy presentation in person.

The party started many hours before the match, with fans filling the streets of the city singing for their team. Liverpool crushed Tottenham 5-1, but that didn’t matter because throughout the match, fans lauded the players and their architect, Arne Slot. With the final whistle, the players came together and performed a victory lap, acknowledging the crowd that sang their praises.

Salah, Van Dijk, and Mac Allister were eager to celebrate with the trophy, but they would have to wait until the last match of the season against Crystal Palace for the trophy presentation.

Jürgen Klopp, in his emotional farewell last year, proclaimed into the stadium microphone that “a new story begins for our team,” chanting Slot’s name to the tune of “Live Is Life” by Opus—a chant that became a hit among Liverpool fans throughout the dream season. This was a scene not to be forgotten by his successor, who took the microphone at the end of the match against Spurs and began singing his predecessor’s name. What a wonderful story…

For Liverpool, this is their 20th Premier League title. With this trophy, the Reds have caught up to their bitter rivals Manchester United, meaning that from now on, matches between them will carry even greater significance, and the banter among fans will become even sharper and wittier.

But what factors contributed to the achievement of this title?

Slot Picked Up the Thread from Klopp and Created Something of His Own

Admittedly, being Jürgen Klopp’s successor is like carrying a… cross, and the likelihood of failure is high. The German was not just a coach for the Reds. He was a technical director, psychologist, general manager, but above all, he restored vision to the team and its supporters. He had taken on nearly every role and excelled at each. He won every title he contested, and had it not been for Pep Guardiola’s stellar City, he would certainly have secured more. Klopp became the ultimate reformer, not just of a team, but of an entire city. He made all of Liverpool believe, as he stated in his first press conference in 2015 when introduced to the media.

For Slot, the challenges appeared more daunting, as he had to bear the weight of Klopp’s legacy while creating a competitive team to secure a spot in the next Champions League, as tasked by the FSG management (the American fund that owns the team). The Dutchman surpassed every expectation in his first year and became the first Liverpool manager to win a title in his debut season since Bob Paisley in the late 1970s.

By utilizing the materials left by Klopp, who had made minor renewals in the squad during the summer of 2023 (Mac Allister, Gakpo, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Endo), Slot managed to forge a team with its own football DNA, frequently willing to play pragmatically for results.

Slot observed what everyone had realized about Klopp’s Liverpool, especially in his final seasons: the team would “crash” from March onward and lacked the stamina to maintain results due to excessive pressing high up the pitch, rendering it constantly exposed to defensive transitions. Slot preserved elements like high pressing and man-to-man play—especially in midfield, the aggressive start to matches—but minimized unnecessary running, incorporating complete control of tempo into Liverpool’s style of play. His team could slow down the pace when desired and speed it up at will, something the organization was not accustomed to during Klopp’s nine years.

Undeniably, Slot’s team was not as visually appealing compared to Klopp’s. In crucial derbies, especially away, he preferred to set aside the 4-2-3-1 in favor of a more defensive 4-4-2, with only Salah and Díaz pushed forward. However, what can one fault him for when he remains unbeaten against teams from the Big Six and captures a surprisingly effortless championship?

Slot built a team that was a formidable opponent for every rival from October to January. However, fatigue set in, and with a squad of 14 players and zero (0) transfers in January, it wasn’t enough to secure everything. Liverpool was eliminated in the Champions League Round of 16 by a clearly superior Paris Saint-Germain, lost in the League Cup final to a hungrier Newcastle, and suffered a humiliating FA Cup exit against Championship’s last-placed Plymouth. In the league, though, they cleared their path early, taking advantage of Arsenal’s instability and Manchester City’s dismal performance.

The Unmatched Salah, the Rock Van Dijk, and Revelation Gravenberch

After praising the architect of their title win, it’s time to discuss the standout players who contributed significantly to the Reds’ dream year. The MVP award undoubtedly goes to Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian is having a legendary season that is unprecedented in Premier League history, totaling 32 goals and 23 assists in 47 matches, climbing to the top of the charts for most goals and assists in a season, surpassing Thierry Henry. The “Pharaoh” convinced Liverpool management to renew his contract with a pay raise for an additional two years and a special announcement with him seated on his throne.

A worthy partner to the Egyptian, captain Virgil Van Dijk was a true rock in the Reds’ defense, impenetrable and a headache for every opposing forward. As a leader, he instilled confidence throughout the team. The Dutchman often plays as a playmaker, initiating attacks with diagonal balls to the wingers. Liverpool has the second-best defense in the league, conceding 31 goals, only behind Arsenal, which has 29, but surpasses them significantly in goal difference, with 44 goals versus 34 for the Londoners. Along with Salah, he renewed for another two years, ensuring their unique partnership will not be broken.

In midfield, last year’s standouts Mac Allister and Szoboszlai shine. Both were signings by Klopp from the summer of 2023 and have fully justified their arrivals at Anfield this season. The Argentine was one of those who stood out last season, providing rhythm in midfield and organizing Liverpool’s play. His stability this season has made him foundational in winning the title. Next to him, Dominik Szoboszlai complements the Argentine excellently in the “8” position with his runs and energy, creating a highly bothersome duo for opposing midfielders.

However, the revelation of this season’s Liverpool is undoubtedly Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutch midfielder was seen as a solution for the number 10 position last summer, but Klopp hardly used him, as he struggled to adapt to the pace of the Premier League, according to reports from the UK. Under his fellow countryman Arne Slot, he started as a regular from the season’s outset. The Dutch coach found a way to utilize him, allowing him to be the first player to receive the ball from the two center-backs to initiate the team’s build-up. With his physique, he became a formidable presence in midfield against every opponent and was the player with the most interceptions for Liverpool. It’s no coincidence that Gravenberch is being voted by many fans and analysts as one of the most significant “internal” signings made by any manager.

Costas Tsimikas: The First Greek to Win the Premier League

For every Greek footballer starting from our country, the dream is to play at a high level in one of the four major European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A). Costas Tsimikas not only saw his dream come true but will soon add a Premier League medal to his collection. He is the first compatriot to achieve this, having played a significant role in the team’s triumphant campaign this season.

When he transferred from Olympiacos to Liverpool, many questioned his decision. “He won’t play,” “He’ll be just a backup for Robertson,” said experts in coffee shop discussions and internet know-it-alls.

The “Greek Scouser” not only played but reached a total of 113 appearances for the Reds, becoming a hero by scoring the decisive penalty in the 2022 FA Cup final against Chelsea. The Greek defender has also won two League Cups in 2022 and 2024 and featured in the 2022 Champions League final against Real Madrid in Paris.

When Klopp left, many believed he wouldn’t remain with the team. Yet, Slot not only kept him but also afforded him significantly more playing time. This season, Tsimikas has made 27 appearances across all competitions, including 16 as a starter, delivering standout performances such as in Germany against Leipzig in the Champions League, where he was also named the game’s MVP, and another remarkable display in the first round match against Brighton at Anfield in their 2-1 victory.

The Greek left-back, with his well-placed crosses and set pieces, will remain a vital cog in Slot’s machinery for the next two years, having renewed until 2027 for €3.5 million a year.