Liverpool Premier League Champions: How Arne Slot Led the Reds to Victory
The final whistle marked the culmination of a remarkable campaign. Liverpool FC, under new head coach Arne Slot, are champions of England. Securing their 20th top-flight title, drawing level with rivals Manchester United, this Premier League triumph in 2024/25 felt distinct. It arrived just a year after Jürgen Klopp’s departure, a period marked by questions about the club’s direction. Yet, Slot, arriving from Feyenoord, orchestrated not just a victory, but a procession.
Few predicted the sheer dominance Liverpool would display after replacing the transformative Klopp. By end-April, the Reds sat 15 points clear, having enjoyed a 26-match unbeaten run earlier in the season. This wasn’t just grinding out results; it was a side playing with a new, controlled intensity under their Dutch manager, achieved despite a quiet summer transfer window. While the Premier League crown was secured, the season saw near misses in cups, a late defeat to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final, and a penalty shootout exit against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Round of 16, footnotes to the story of domestic supremacy. This was Liverpool reborn, reclaiming their perch through calculated evolution.
Table of Contents
The Slot Revolution: Forging a New Identity at Anfield
The Successor Steps Up
Arne Slot was confirmed as Liverpool’s first Dutch head coach on May 20, 2024, arriving from Feyenoord after winning the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup. He joined a restructured hierarchy with Michael Edwards as CEO of Football and Richard Hughes as Sporting Director, positioning Slot as a ‘head coach’ within the system. Despite the pressure of succeeding Klopp, Slot embraced the challenge of maintaining Liverpool’s elite status while reshaping the team.
Tactical Metamorphosis: Control Meets Intensity
Slot’s Liverpool evolved tactically, blending high energy with a more calculated, possession-based approach influenced by coaches like Roberto De Zerbi. The focus shifted towards greater control and intricate positional play, often using a fluid 4-2-3-1 base that adapted during games. Build-up could involve a 4-2-4, while defensively, a compact 4-4-2 was common. The strategy aimed to create overloads, particularly in ‘Zone 14’, using quick, short passes. Players maintained structure but with flexibility. Full-backs played hybrid roles; Trent Alexander-Arnold inverted or provided width, while the right-back often tucked in or overlapped.
The press remained but became more structured, using pressing traps triggered by specific opposition actions rather than the immediate chase of gegenpressing. This calculated approach, potentially less physically demanding, proved highly effective. Impressively, this didn’t blunt their counter-attack; Slot’s side led the Premier League in fast breaks, utilising the pace of Mohamed Salah and Luis Díaz. This blend of control, structure, calculated pressing, and lethal transitions, coupled with Slot’s ability to elevate existing players like Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones, proved a winning formula, especially given the limited transfer activity.
Anatomy of a Title Charge: The Premier League Campaign
Setting the Pace
Arne Slot’s Liverpool started strong, winning his debut league game 2-0 at Ipswich Town. By end-April 2025, after 34 games, their dominance was clear: 82 points, 15 ahead of Arsenal. Their campaign featured a 26-match unbeaten run, 25 wins against just two defeats, 80 goals scored, and only 32 conceded (+48 goal difference). They also shared the league lead for clean sheets (14) and maintained a strong home record.
Premier League Table Snapshot (as of mid-April 2025)
This commanding lead made the title race a near formality.
Defining Moments and Key Victories
Crucial victories against rivals defined the title charge. Liverpool achieved a league double over defending champions Manchester City, winning 2-0 both home and away, significantly impacting City’s difficult season. Against Arsenal, they secured a 2-2 draw away, and against Manchester United, they won 3-0 away and drew 2-2 at home. Other key results included a 6-3 win at Tottenham and a 5-0 away demolition of West Ham. Comprehensive home wins against Bournemouth (3-0) and Chelsea (2-1) further solidified their lead. Slot’s tactical adjustments, like tweaking Gravenberch’s role against Bournemouth, also proved vital.
Navigating Challenges: Injuries and Form Dips
The season wasn’t without challenges, particularly injuries. Key players like Diogo Jota (15 games missed), Federico Chiesa (14), Harvey Elliott (14), Alisson (13), Joe Gomez (13+), and Conor Bradley (13+) faced significant time out. Others like Konate, Tsimikas, Jones, Alexander-Arnold, and Gakpo also missed games. However, squad depth, notably Caoimhín Kelleher‘s performances deputising for Alisson, and effective workload management by Slot and his staff, prevented injuries from derailing their league form. The team suffered only two league defeats by mid-April (1-0 vs Nottingham Forest, 3-2 vs Fulham) , demonstrating remarkable consistency and the ability to bounce back quickly.
The Stars of the Season: Anfield’s Driving Forces
The Phenomenal Mohamed Salah
Mohamed Salah delivered one of the finest individual Premier League seasons, leading the league with 28 goals and a record 18 assists. His 46 goal involvements set a new benchmark for a 38-game season. Under Slot, Salah adapted seamlessly, flourishing creatively while remaining lethal. His performances fuelled Ballon d’Or talk, and speculation about his future ended when he signed a new contract in April 2025, securing his talismanic presence.
Midfield Maestros and Defensive Rocks
Beyond Salah, the title was built on collective strength. The midfield witnessed Ryan Gravenberch’s breakout season; his emergence in a deeper role showcased significant potential and complemented the established class of Alexis Mac Allister and the driving energy of Dominik Szoboszlai. This trio formed the engine room of Slot’s system, with others like Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott providing crucial contributions when called upon. Defensively, captain Virgil van Dijk anchored the backline with his commanding presence, often partnered effectively by Ibrahima Konaté. Alisson Becker delivered world-class goalkeeping when fit. The full-backs remained integral, with Trent Alexander-Arnold continuing his unique creative influence and Andy Robertson providing vital experience. Importantly, the development of youngsters Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah added impressive depth, proving vital to the squad’s success.
Attacking Depth and Impact
Beyond Salah, Liverpool’s attack thrived. Cody Gakpo scored 17 goals across all competitions, while Luis Díaz added 16 with his pace and dribbling. Diogo Jota, despite injuries, scored 9 crucial goals. Darwin Núñez made key impacts, often as a substitute, scoring 7 goals, including late winners. Slot’s effective use of substitutes highlighted the squad’s attacking quality.
Shaping the Squad: Transfers and Dynamics
A Quiet Approach to the Market
Liverpool adopted a restrained transfer strategy for 2024/25, trusting Slot and the existing squad. The only major first-team signing was winger Federico Chiesa from Juventus for around £10m-£12.5m , though his impact was limited by fitness issues. Goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili is in talks to leave Valencia and join the club for the 2025/26 season. This quiet approach signified belief in the current setup.
Departures and Developing Talent
Veterans Thiago Alcântara and Joël Matip retired after their contracts expired. Significant fees were recouped from selling youngsters Fábio Carvalho and Sepp van den Berg to Brentford (around £20m+ each) and Bobby Clark to RB Salzburg (£10m). Numerous players like Stefan Bajcetic, Ben Doak, and Lewis Koumas went out on loan for experience.
Contract Crossroads and Future Planning
Resolving the contract situations of Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold, all entering their final year, was crucial. Salah and Van Dijk signed two-year extensions, providing stability. However, Alexander-Arnold’s future remained uncertain amidst interest from Real Madrid. Slot confirmed the club was planning summer reinforcements, potentially targeting centre-back, left-back, and central midfield, regardless of the vice-captain’s decision.
The Cup Runs :
Champions League Campaign
Liverpool topped their UEFA Champions League phase group with 7 wins and 1 loss, including victories over AC Milan, Real Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen. Their European journey ended in the Round of 16 against Paris Saint-Germain. After winning 1-0 in Paris, they lost 1-0 at Anfield, ultimately losing the penalty shootout 4-1.
Carabao Cup Final Heartbreak
In the EFL Cup, Liverpool reached the final after defeating West Ham, Brighton, Southampton, and Tottenham (4-1 agg..). At Wembley, they faced Newcastle United. Despite dominating possession, goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak put Newcastle 2-0 up. Federico Chiesa scored late (90+4′), but Liverpool couldn’t find an equaliser, losing 2-1 as Newcastle ended their 70-year trophy drought.
FA Cup Efforts
Liverpool’s FA Cup run was brief. After beating Accrington Stanley 4-0, they were upset 1-0 by Plymouth Argyle in the Fourth Round.
A Title Built on Evolution and Excellence
The 2024/25 season saw Liverpool reclaim the Premier League title, their 20th, blending familiar intensity with Arne Slot’s new tactical sophistication. Slot’s first season exceeded expectations, successfully navigating the post-Klopp transition. The triumph validated the club’s trust in Slot and the existing squad, minimally augmented by Federico Chiesa. Slot’s system, emphasizing control, structure, and calculated pressing alongside lethal counter-attacks, proved dominant.
Mohamed Salah’s record-breaking season led the charge, but it was a collective success built on midfield evolution (Ryan Gravenberch’s emergence ), defensive solidity (Van Dijk’s leadership ), and squad resilience in managing injuries. While cup finals brought disappointment, the Premier League title marks a monumental achievement, signalling the successful dawn of a new era under Arne Slot. Challenges like Alexander-Arnold’s contract remain, but the foundation for sustained success is firmly in place. The Red Reign is back.
