Could The Summer Be The Beginning Or End Of Slot’s Domination

It has turned out to be a great first season in charge for Dutchman Arne Slot as he built on Jurgen Klopp’s foundations - and with a few twists - powered the side into top spot in the Premier League table, and well, as we sit in mid-March with a 15 point gap in the table to the nearest chasers, baring an absolute calamity the title is basically ours.

We also had a good run in the newly revamped Champions League campaign, only unfortunately coming a cropper to French Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain on penalties in the Last 16 stage.

With the title basically ours, and a League Cup Final clash with Newcastle United to go, a double is on the cards and few in the wider world of football would have imagined that happening given the summer we had.

Even those fans who enjoy summer sports like cricket and have a small flutter on major tournaments like the IPL will not be switching off from the football season just yet.

Klopp’s departure was one thing, the almost endless and ongoing speculation surrounding the futures of Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk have been another completely unwanted media sideshow and distraction that nobody has wanted, but sadly as we head towards the end of March and with just over two months remaining in the campaign, there is no sign that the speculation surrounding the three will be going anyway anytime soon as there just has not been the progress on their new deals that fans would have hoped for.

With our Champions League adventure at an end for the season of 2024/25, the fact that all three could have played their last European game for the game against Paris Saint-Germain has not been lost amongst the disappointment. Many felt that last summer was going to prove to be the biggest test that we faced in a while, but it is increasingly looking like this summer is going to be the one that counts and obviously if any of the three do ultimately end up moving on, they each carry huge shows and dressing room influence that needs to be suitably replaced on, so that the 2025/26 campaign sees us continue to build on our achievements this year.

With other clubs, including serial runners up Arsenal, all still playing catch up it will not have escaped anyone’s attentions that with Manchester City and Pep Guardiola’s fall from grace this year this is absolutely the perfect time for Liverpool to enjoy a period of domination ourselves once again, but that will only happen with stability off the pitch and if players move on, we just have to ensure that they are replaced in the best possible manner with players who could easily become Anfield legends of their own in the coming few seasons.

With it known that some talks are underway, we just have to hope that they now quickly find a suitable conclusion, and whilst all good things come to an end, given the make up of the Premier League right now and Slot’s speedy adjustment to the challenge of top flight English football, this could simply be the beginning for the 46 year old former professional midfielder and that is exactly what everyone involved wants.