Arne Slot has settled in quickly as Liverpool’s new head coach, making tactical changes that provide more control compared to Jurgen Klopp’s reign. He has faced various challenges in his debut season.But there is a feeling early on that his team hadn’t faced tough opponents.
In late September, Slot acknowledged the difficult teams still to come. He noted that if they maintained a good record against those squads, it would be interesting to see their position in the league.
Their schedule included a visit to newly-promoted Ipswich Town. Also matches against slower-starting teams like Crystal Palace, Wolves, and Manchester United. Most Liverpool supporters would have wanted these fixtures.
After a home loss to Nottingham Forest post-international break, Liverpool still boasted an impressive record. That defeat has become less surprising given Forest’s strong position now. While teams play each other twice in a season, a favorable start can help build momentum, especially for a new manager.
Whether the team’s positivity reaches the training ground remains to be seen. However early success can shape narratives. Liverpool’s opponents in their first 18 Premier League games mostly struggled in form. Only Brentford, Tottenham, and West Ham had won their last league matches. Liverpool has taken advantage of this inconsistency.
Have the fixtures favored Liverpool so far?
In their first 18 Premier League games, only three teams – Brentford, Tottenham, and West Ham – had won their last match. With few teams in form, Liverpool has taken advantage.
In tougher matches, luck has also been on their side. A 2-2 draw against Arsenal came when they were missing key players, like Martin Odegaard and William Saliba. In their match against Tottenham, Liverpool defeated a team missing four starters, winning 6-3.
Additionally, Manchester City visited Anfield after three consecutive defeats, giving a weak performance without Rodri, which allowed Liverpool to win 2-0.
A postponed derby against Everton due to Storm Darragh benefited Liverpool too. They would have missed several injured players and one suspended for that match. They should be stronger when the match is rescheduled.
Judging a team’s approach based on game context is common in football. This can also be applied to look at the “season state” of teams concerning opponents and the league table.
Liverpool will face Manchester United this weekend in a match typically seen as a clash of strong rivals. This season feels different, especially given United’s poor form. Ruben Amorim’s team has lost four of their last five league games and currently sits 14th in the table, just seven points above Ipswich in the relegation zone.
Amorim is still trying to improve a squad he inherited from Erik ten Hag, who was sacked in November. This makes it a good time for Liverpool to play against United. Liverpool looks tactically sharp and deserves to be at the top of the Premier League. They have successfully managed their injuries, with key players like Alisson, Jota, and Konate missed but not greatly affecting the team’s performance.
Liverpool’s squad depth has shown in their ability to cope. Overall, Slot seems to have benefited from favorable circumstances in these early months, and it would be wise for him to take advantage of it.
Their last five Premier League matches include tough opponents like Tottenham, Chelsea, and Arsenal. However, some of those games could become irrelevant if Liverpool clinches the title early. Now is the time for them to build on their momentum, starting 2025 with a match against their historic rivals.
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