The Slot Machine Pays Out Its Jackpot

Image Credit: NYT

It’s May 2024, and Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp delivers a farewell to the Anfield crowd after a wonderful eight-and-a-half year stint. In his farewell address, Jurgen Klopp starts chanting the name of his rumoured successor Arne Slot, something unprecedented. A year later in May 2025, after wrapping up the Premier League title in his first year as Liverpool boss, Arne Slot chants Jurgen Klopp’s name, in what was a full circle moment. How did we get here? How has Arne Slot, in his first season managing in England, defied expectations and led Liverpool to their record tying 20th League title?

Liverpool was founded in 1892 and is the most successful club in English football. It has won 20 league titles (tied most), 6 Champions Leagues (Most for any English team), 7 FA Cups, 10 League Cups (most), 3 Europa Leagues, 4 UEFA Super Cups, and 1 Club World Cup. Much of this success came in the 70s and 80s under legendary managers such as Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, and Joe Fagan. However, in 1990, Liverpool won its 18th league title and that would signify the end of a golden era. The next 25 years would be those of a lot of pain and heartache — though they have won a few domestic cups here and there, as well as the Champions League in 2005. Despite this scattered success they were unable to win the League. They were well and truly knocked off their perch.

 In October 2015, after manager Brendan Rogers was sacked, Liverpool hired German manager Jurgen Klopp. In his first press conference Jurgen Klopp promised to bring the league title back to Liverpool, something the last 8 managers before him couldn’t. Though they ended that season in 8th, in the following years, Klopp would bring Liverpool back: A Champions League, a Super Cup, and a Club World Cup all in 2019. A League title in 2020. An FA Cup and a League Cup in 2022. Then lastly a League Cup in 2024. It came as a shock when he announced when he was leaving in 2024, and there was a worry that Liverpool would enter dark times again. 

Liverpool hired Arne Slot to be their next manager. Arne Slot was a relatively unknown manager from the Netherlands. He had seen major domestic success as the manager of Feyenoord Rotterdam, having won the Dutch league in 2023 and the Dutch cup in 2024. Despite these honors, it was a wildcard considering he is fairly new to coaching, and transitioning to England isn’t kind to most who attempt. Considering this and the fact he only made 1 signing over the summer, many didn’t have Liverpool winning the league, and some even said they would have a hard time making top 4 (securing qualification to play in the Champions League). 

On the 17th of August, Liverpool won their first game of the season 2-0 away at newly promoted Ipswich Town. Slot was the first manager to win his first game in charge of the club since Gerard Houllier in 1998. They went on to win their first 3 games without conceding a goal, including a 3-0 win away against rivals Manchester United. 

After this successful start to the season, many weren’t impressed, considering his relatively weak schedule. Sixth place Chelsea’s visit to Anfield in late October was billed as Slot’s first real test. Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea was unbeaten in the previous seven. The visitors gave the Reds a difficult game however a Salah penalty, and a Curtis Jones goal put the game out of reach. Showing the ability to get all three points even when second best. 

A week later league leaders Liverpool would travel to London to face title rivals Arsenal. Arsenal finished second the previous 2 seasons, thus a trip to the Emirates was a barometer of Liverpool’s title credentials. Twice in the game the Reds trailed, but twice they found their way back. A late Mo Salah equalizer prevented defeat and Slot’s men escaped with a 2-2 draw. 

Throughout November and December was when Slot’s men really came into their own, and they showed their ability to grind out results. They started off their run by coming back from 1-0 down to beat Brighton 2-1. Three weeks later, after trailing 2-1 away at Southampton they won 3-2. They also won big games in December beating Man City 2-0 at home and Spurs 6-3 away. When Christmas came Liverpool were top of the league. 

To start off the new year Liverpool only won 1 game out 4 in all competitions, and a tough trip to Brentford awaited them. Their winless run in the League looked set to continue when Liverpool failed to find a breakthrough after peppering the hosts’ goal. That was until super sub Darwin Nunez scored 2 stoppage time goals to earn Liverpool a priceless win. The nature of this victory gave Liverpool fans belief that this might be the year. 

February and March was a mixed bag, combining top performances with some wobbles. Those wobbles include getting knocked out of the FA Cup by Plymouth and tying against Everton in the middle of February. However, those were overshadowed by a statement 2-0 victory away at Man City and a comfortable 2-0 win at home against Newcastle. A mini-wobble in March ensued with getting knocked out of the Champions League by PSG and losing the League Cup final against Newcastle, yet their form in the league remained consistent. 

Despite the mixed performances, Arsenal was unable to make up ground on Liverpool, and the writing was on the wall for where the title was heading. In mid-April, the captain Virgil Van Dijk’s late winner vs West Ham, and Trent Alexander Arnold’s late winner vs Leicester put Slot’s men on the brink. April 28, a resounding 5-1 win at home vs Spurs made it official with 4 games to spare. Liverpool were champions of England for the 20th time.

This wasn’t all down to Arne Slot, some top tier individual performances throughout the season made this possible. Ryan Gravenberch, in his second season in red, found a home in the number 6 role after a poor first season. World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister raised his game and proved to be one of the best midfielders in the league. Captain Virgil Van Dijk once again proved why he is one of the best defenders in the world. Lastly, Mohammed Salah was the top scorer and top assists in the league, in the single best individual season in Premier League history. 

Though I have spent a lot of time discussing what happened on the field, what really matters is what happened off the field. Football is something that unites us, and for no club is that truer than for Liverpool. Despite winning in 2020, due to COVID there were no celebrations. This was the first time in 35 years that the Anfield faithfuls could celebrate a title win. Not only have fans been through struggle, but the city has as well. This trophy wasn’t just a win for the club and those involved, it was one for the people of Liverpool and the millions of devoted supporters all around the world. In the words of their beloved anthem: at the end of the storm there’s a golden sky, and when you walk with hope in your heart, you’ll never walk alone.