Is Arne Slot’s Liverpool Better Than Klopp’s Best?

As the Premier League season progresses, it appears increasingly unlikely that there will be a serious title race. Liverpool, under the guidance of new manager Arne Slot, currently sits atop the table with a commanding seven-point lead. Adding to this advantage, they also hold a game in hand, putting them in an even stronger position. Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City, once seen as potential challengers, are quickly fading into the distance as Liverpool looks increasingly dominant.

Many observers expected Liverpool to experience a period of transition following the departure of Jurgen Klopp, one of the most successful managers in the club’s history. After all, Klopp had built a team that was not only competitive domestically but also a force in Europe. However, instead of slipping into a rebuilding phase, Slot’s Liverpool has taken a significant step forward. In fact, the team’s current form suggests that this version of Liverpool might already be better than the best iteration of Klopp’s Reds. Along with their lead in the Premier League, Slot’s Liverpool is also top of the new-look Champions League league phase, further demonstrating their growing dominance.

Klopp’s most successful season at Liverpool came in the 2019/20 campaign, a year that saw the Reds set a blistering pace in the Premier League. Liverpool won 16 of their first 17 games, drawing the other, and ultimately finished the season in second place, only narrowly missing out on the title to Manchester City. This season, however, Liverpool sits seven points behind where they were at the same stage of the 2019/20 season. Despite this difference, the team is playing some of its best football in years.

While the points tally may suggest a slight regression in comparison to Klopp’s best, there are many other factors to consider. The quality of football being played under Slot is perhaps the most notable. Every area of the team seems to be functioning at a peak level. The defense, for example, boasts the second-best record in the Premier League, providing a solid foundation for the attacking unit to do what it does best. Going forward, Liverpool has been firing on all cylinders, scoring goals and creating opportunities with ease.

A major change under Slot has been the transformation of the midfield. Klopp had always relied on high-energy midfielders who pressed relentlessly and controlled the tempo of matches. Slot, however, has reshaped the midfield into something entirely different. The signings of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have added a new dimension to the team, with both players thriving in their respective roles. Gravenberch, in particular, has impressed with his versatility and ability to dominate the midfield, while Mac Allister has added creativity and guile.

Slot, however, remains cautious about his team’s chances despite their impressive start to the season. When asked about the potential for complacency at the top of the Premier League, Slot emphasized the unpredictability of the season ahead. “If you are in this game for a long time, like these players are and I am, you know that you don’t look at it 20 games before the end,” he said. “There are so many challenges still ahead of you. A few months ago, we were one point behind Manchester City, and look at what has happened there. Injuries, suspensions, bad luck – it can happen to anybody. It is far too early to be celebrating.”

Slot’s words highlight a crucial point: the Premier League is a marathon, not a sprint. As Liverpool has learned in the past, the league can be unforgiving, with injuries and suspensions often derailing even the most promising campaigns. Slot’s measured approach, focused on taking it “one game at a time,” underscores the importance of maintaining focus throughout the season.

Looking ahead, Liverpool faces several critical decisions. The contracts of key players such as Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah, and Virgil van Dijk are set to expire next summer, adding an element of uncertainty to the club’s future. However, these concerns have yet to affect the team’s performance on the pitch. For the time being, the Reds are playing at a level that not even Klopp’s most successful teams achieved during his tenure.

In fact, Slot’s Liverpool appears to be operating at a level of efficiency and fluidity that is unmatched in the club’s recent history. The combination of solid defense, dynamic attack, and a reinvented midfield has given the team a new identity, one that is capable of dominating both domestically and on the European stage. This is a team that has fully embraced its potential, and there are few signs that they will slow down any time soon.

For Liverpool fans, these are glory days. The club is not only competing for titles but is also redefining what is possible under Slot’s stewardship. The comparison to Klopp’s best team is inevitable, but it is one that can only be made with a sense of awe at what has been achieved. Klopp’s Liverpool was a dominant force, but Slot’s Liverpool is proving to be something even more special.

The coming months will be crucial in determining whether this team can maintain its momentum and fulfill its promise. With the Premier League title well within reach and a strong Champions League showing, Slot’s Liverpool is on the brink of greatness. Whether or not they can surpass Klopp’s best remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Liverpool fans have much to look forward to as their team enters a new era of dominance.