For the first time in nearly a decade, Liverpool head into a new Premier League season without the charismatic Jurgen Klopp in the dugout.
The German tactician ended his nine-year stay at Anfield last season, bringing an end to a hugely successful spell in Merseyside.
Klopp brought levels of success to the red half of Merseyside, the likes of which haven’t been seen since the 1980s.
He steered the Reds to their first Premier League title in three decades, as well as the Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup (x2) titles, among a host of other trophies.
Over the summer, Liverpool announced Arne Slot as Klopp’s successor, and the Dutch tactician undoubtedly has huge boots to fill at Anfield.
While Klopp is a tough act to follow, Slot is no stranger to winning silverware as he rocks up to Merseyside with an impressive CV of his own.
Slot led Feyenoord to the 2022/23 Eredivisie title – their first in six years.
He also added the KNVB Cup to Feyenoord’s trophy cabinet last season and led the Dutch giants to the Europa Conference League final in 2021/22 – their first major European final since they won the UEFA Cup over two decades ago.
Even though Slot is no rookie, the Premier League is a different ball game. It remains to be seen if he can translate that success in the Netherlands to the pressure cooker of English football.
Nevertheless, Slot is a hugely impressive replacement for Klopp, and Liverpool fans can expect a high-octane, possession-based, attacking brand of football with the Dutchman at the helm.
Slot’s troops ended their pre-season campaign with a goalless draw, but there can be no doubts about their readiness for the new season after winning their previous four warm-up games.
The Reds are expected to be firmly in the race for top four this season and will kick off 2024/25 with a trip to Portman Road, where they will take on newly promoted Ipswich Town.
Slot will be keen for his side to start the season as they mean to go on, and fans can buy Liverpool tickets at seatsnet.com to book their place in the stands.
Liverpool fixtures
Liverpool have arguably the most favourable opening fixtures of any of the top six, even though they’ll take on Manchester United within the first seven games of the season.
Slot’s eagerly anticipated Liverpool reign will kick off with a tricky test as they travel to Suffolk to face newly-promoted Ipswich on Saturday.
The former Feyenoord manager will be thrown straight into the deep end, with a mouth-watering encounter against arch-rivals Man United at Old Trafford scheduled for just three games into his tenure.
Slot will go head-to-head against his countryman and former Eredivisie foe Erik ten Hag for the first time in the Premier League in what is set to be a blockbuster North-West derby at Old Trafford.
Unlike in previous campaigns where this matchup was largely one-sided, both sides couldn’t be separated during their Premier League meetings last term.
Liverpool were held to a goalless draw at Anfield before playing out a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford, although Man United had the last laugh in the FA Cup.
The Red Devils eliminated Klopp’s side in a breathtaking quarter-final battle courtesy of a last-minute strike from Amad Diallo in extra time.
There tends to be plenty of fireworks when Liverpool and Man United collide, and there should be more of the same when they renew acquaintances this season.
It remains to be seen how Liverpool will fare under a new manager, but a win for Slot’s troops against one of their fiercest rivals could set the Reds on their way to an exciting campaign.
After his honeymoon period, Slot and his Red troops will face a baptism of fire in October, with a daunting schedule that features back-to-back encounters against London giants Chelsea and Arsenal.
Another one of their mouth-watering contests comes in November, with the Reds hosting Manchester City in Merseyside – a game sandwiched between trips to Southampton and Newcastle United.
Just over a week after squaring off with the defending champions, Liverpool and Everton will renew acquaintances in the Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. The return leg at Anfield is scheduled for April.
Liverpool will begin 2025 by hosting Man United, while a second battle with the reigning champions at the Etihad Stadium is on the cards for February.
Liverpool will begin dropping the curtain on the season with back-to-back games against Chelsea (A) and Arsenal (H) before the season finale against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
Transfer business
Liverpool are the only Premier League club yet to loosen their purse strings this summer despite releasing Joel Matip and Thiago Alcantara two months ago.
However, they’re expected to ramp up their business into high gear as we approach the final knockings of the transfer market, especially with Slot admitting that it’ll be surprising if the Reds don’t bolster the squad.
While Liverpool have yet to make a single addition, they have been linked with a number of players over the course of the transfer window.
The latest name on their radar is Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi.
The Reds are keen on the Spanish midfielder but will have to activate his £51.3 million release clause, with the Basque club unwilling to negotiate a lower fee.
Potential starting line-up
Despite Caoimhin Kelleher clamouring for a more prominent role, Alisson will remain Liverpool’s undisputed first-choice behind a back four of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahim Konate, Virgil van Dijk, and Andrew Robertson.
If Liverpool sign Zubimendi, he will anchor Slot’s midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
After two underwhelming years at Anfield, this season could be make or break for Darwin Nunez.
Slot is familiar with Cody Gakpo from the player’s time at PSV Eindhoven, but Nunez is expected to lead the line and will be flanked by Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
4-3-3: Alisson; Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Zubimendi, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Salah, Nunez, Diaz.
What to expect?
Klopp has already laid a rock-solid foundation, and Slot will be looking to implement his ideas, evolve the squad, and ensure a smooth transition without dismantling the legacy.
Succeeding Klopp is no small task, but Slot will back himself to pick up where his German counterpart left off.
Slot will undoubtedly need time to adapt his ideas to English football, but he has the perfect opening run of games to hit the ground running.
Liverpool fans will be expecting the club to secure Champions League qualification, and rightly so. However, making a play for the Premier League title might be a bridge too far for the Dutchman for now.
Liverpool are the most successful team in the EFL Cup, so another triumph should be enough to appease the ever-demanding Kop as Slot tries to implement his philosophy at Anfield.
