Inside epic Liverpool triumph no one saw coming... and chase for ‘perfection’ that busted Premier League myth

Not even the most ardent Liverpool fan could truly say they believed they would win their 20th league crown back in August.

A new manager needing time to instill his style after the much-loved Jurgen Klopp departed Anfield, no summer signings and three superstars coming out of contract meant it should have been a season of instability for the Reds.

Manchester City were massive favourites to claim a fifth successive Premier League crown and Arsenal were set to once again be their biggest challengers.

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Liverpool were widely tipped to finish third in Arne Slot’s first season in Merseyside.

Even Reds legend Jamie Carragher, who is often accused of bias towards the club he made 508 appearances for, said so.

“There are areas of the Liverpool squad which need strengthening but I love the fact that they don’t panic,” Carragher said on Sky Sports during the pre-season to justify his third-place prediction.

No one was convinced by the threat Liverpool posed.

Carragher’s Sky Sports colleague Gary Neville predicted them to finish fifth and even said that Manchester United would finish above them in the top four.

“Liverpool, my view would be that the impact of [losing] Klopp will take its toll,” Neville said.

“The evidence of history, there will be some pain at some point this season and it could cost them.

“I really do question whether that Liverpool midfield can stand up over the season. I think Manchester United have got more depth in midfield.”

The Red Devils great certainly has egg on his face now.

A point was all they needed at home against Ange Postecoglou’s Tottenham on Monday morning Australian time, and they did that comfortably.

Their 5-1 hammering of Spurs sparked jubilant celebrations inside and outside of Anfield and the party is set to be large as the Covid-19 pandemic prevented Liverpool fans from swarming the streets the last time they lifted the trophy in 2020.

It was 35 years ago, before the Premier League era began, that they last publicly soaked in the glory of a title and making the wait all the sweeter is that they now stand level with their fierce rivals United for the most English top flight titles.

There are going to be two more matches at Anfield, including a visit from title challengers Arsenal who will begrudgingly form a guard of honour for their rivals.

Among those celebrations, there will be an abundance of chat about how they did it.

How Arne Slot transformed them from outsiders to champions with four games remaining. This is how.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: (L-R) Vitezslav Jaros, Arne Slot, Manger of Liverpool, Sipke Hulshoff, assistant Manager of Liverpool, Andrew Robertson, Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Alexis Mac Allister and Darwin Nunez celebrate with the fans after confirmation of winning the Premier League title in the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

TWEAKS TO KLOPP’S SYSTEM

Jurgen Klopp was always praised for his Liverpool teams playing electric football.

In fact, the German’s game style was often called ‘heavy metal football’.

But Slot turned them into a more controlled, classic rock type of outfit.

They know how to rise and fall and pick moments of emphasis rather than bashing the drums and having the electric guitars on full blast all the time.

The respect between the two bosses was a key feature of the smooth handover, and Slot reminded everyone of when among the celebrations after defeating Tottenham, he instructed the famous Kop to sing Klopp’s name.

The German had done the same thing, getting the passionate fans to sing Slot’s name, after his final game and that gesture stuck in the Dutchman’s mind.

“I think that is something not one manager ever did before. So that is what definitely helped me,” he said.

“But apart from that, he helped me even more by the team he left behind and the culture he left behind in that team.

“The quality the players have was, I think, obvious for everyone. But the culture of hard work, the culture not only from the players, but also from the staff members, has been incredible.

“And that is one of the reasons why we could achieve what we’ve achieved this season.”

Tactically, Klopp’s 4-2-4 formation carried on, but it has been deployed in a more measured fashion.

The Reds of the past would focus on constantly pressing high to reclaim possession.

Whereas this season they have held their structure to block passing lanes as they bide their time before getting the ball back and pouncing.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MAY 19: (THE SUN OUT. THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Jurgen Klopp manager of Liverpool walks his "Guard of Honour" at the end the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Anfield on May 19, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

With the ball, Slot also introduced a key change from his goalkeepers.

The Dutchman has asked shot stoppers Alisson Becker and Caoimhin Kelleher to hold the ball at their feet when playing out from the back and wait for their opponents to press up on them before releasing a pass.

Centre backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate have been asked to do the same thing.

It is a risky tactic that has led to blunders at the back from other teams adopting the same method, but not this team.

Such is the proficiency of the classy, modern goal keepers and centre backs at their feet, like Reds captain van Dijk who recently re-signed until 2027, that it has been highly effective, creating space further afield to allow their attacking players to wreak havoc.

Further afield, Dutch 22-year-old Ryan Gravenberch has relished sitting deeper in midfield to dictate terms while Argentine World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister has enjoyed a higher, more attacking role.

After shifting into midfield for club and country at times last year, Trent Alexander-Arnold reverted to a more traditional right-back role.

That has allowed the seemingly Real Madrid-bound star to provide greater defensive stability, while using his stellar passing skills to help them play out from the back.

It has not stopped Alexander-Arnold from getting higher up the pitch when the moment suits, however.

When the 26-year-old has got into a more central position, it has given him plenty of space to unleash critical passes to his attackers and crucially, a defender has been taken away from Mohamed Salah as they press up on Alexander-Arnold.

SENSATIONAL SALAH

With 28 goals and 18 assists to lead the league in both categories, Salah’s sensational season was arguably the biggest boost to Liverpool’s title charge.

‘The Egyptian King’ has always been a star, winning three golden boots, two Players’ Player of the Year crowns and a Premier League Player of the Season honour throughout his illustrious career.

But at age 32 and with his contract expiring at season’s end, Slot helped Salah reach new heights.

Those accolades prove that Salah has always been a prolific goal scorer, but the Dutchman’s tactical changes have helped unleash his creativity.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: (SUN OUT, SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot, Manger of Liverpool, embraces Mohamed Salah of Liverpool, as they celebrate the teams victory and confirmation of winning the Premier League title after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Salah’s assist tally is five more than his previous best in a season, and his connection with Alexander-Arnold has been critical to it.

As mentioned above, the England right back’s forays higher up the pitch have dragged defenders away and his overlap runs have also created space for Salah to cut inside on his deadly left foot to either shoot or find a teammate in the box.

Those manoeuvres have left Salah in more one-on-one situations which has left defenders across the league in nervy positions.

No one feels totally comfortable being tasked with single handedly stopping the league’s most prolific attacker, and Slot has preyed on that this season.

“What makes him special on the pitch is he can score goals, he can do it when he’s not in the best half hour or 15 minutes. That’s why he’s mentally so strong,” the manager said earlier this month of his talisman.

“You need to be that if you want to play for seven or eight years at the highest level, playing every three or four days. Apart from quality of physique, you have to be mentally strong. How mentally strong he is, that’s what stands out for me.

“We’re always trying to achieve a bit more as a team. But if you’re playing at Liverpool, you’re probably coming to the maximum level of your ability. So, there is not a lot of room for improvement for Mo, or the other players anymore. So, you’re trying to reach perfection.

“We are trying to bring the best and the maximum out of the players to find that one or two per cent extra. But it’s clear that Mo is coming close to the end. Not to the end of his career, but the end of his ability.

“We have brought almost the maximum out of his qualities this season. And then it’s about consistency, which is one of the most difficult things in football. That is why he has been seen as such a star player.”

The other side of the equation is that no one is supposed to play that well when there is so much doubt and uncertainty clouding their future.

Salah was linked with moves to French giants PSG or perhaps to Saudi Arabia, but with every goal and every assist he became more indispensable to the Reds.

Reports suggested Liverpool were reluctant at first to re-sign a player seemingly past their prime on huge money, but he continually dispelled that myth as the season went on.

Fans were relieved when he re-signed earlier this month on a deal that keeps him at Anfield until 2027 on a pay increase to £400,000 per week.

You would be hard pressed to find a Liverpool fan that does not think he is worth every penny.

Especially after some of the unforgettable moments he has delivered them.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Mohamed Salah of Liverpool after being named Champions of the Premier League at the end of the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

COMEBACK KINGS

Back in September, Ballon d’Or winner Rodri’s ACL injury raised doubts about Manchester City’s credentials as champions, but it was not until a series of stirring victories across October and November that Liverpool became title favourites.

The first big statement of the Slot era was battering rivals Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford in the third game of the season with Salah assisting the first two goals before scoring the third himself.

The key early move in the title race, however, came when the Reds collected four points against Arsenal and Chelsea during that stretch to keep their rivals at bay with Salah at the forefront.

They came from behind twice to snatch a 2-2 draw in their trip to the Emirates with Salah scoring the second equaliser to kick start a run of inspiring comebacks that fostered belief they could win from anywhere.

They went a goal down at home to Brighton in their next league outing but went on to win 2-1 and then a Salah double in the last half an hour salvaged a 3-2 triumph away at last-placed Southampton.

They then became title favourites with the bookmakers in early November after a 2-0 win over Aston Villa and City slumped to a fourth loss in a row.

It was a position the Reds never relinquished, but there was no less theatre.

They battered City 2-0 at Anfield in a performance that warranted more goals and stormed into the new year with Salah scoring four goals and providing four assists in comprehensive wins against Tottenham, Leicester and West Ham after dropping points in draws to Newcastle and Fulham.

The momentum kept rolling as a key characteristic of the Klopp era persisted: the super sub.

Diogo Jota came off the bench the equalise at Nottingham Forest and Darwin Nunez scored twice in stoppage time at Brentford before Liverpool lost their cool for the first time all season in a fiery Merseyside Derby.

They drew 2-2 to Everton in their final meeting at Goodison Park as Toffees centre-back James Tarkowski’s 98th minute thunderbolt sparked an all-in scuffle, and Slot was suspended for two games for abusing the referee.

But they brushed that off as Salah lifted them once again with a goal and assist at the Etihad to do the double on City.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: A fan of Liverpool waves a flag, while sitting on top of a sign post, as they celebrate the teams victory and confirmation of winning the Premier League title, outside of the stadium after the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Anfield on April 27, 2025 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Despite their being 11 matches to go at that point, the consensus was that Liverpool were officially champions in waiting.

“They haven’t won it, obviously, but they have,” Gary Neville declared on Sky Sports.

“It is all over,” former Manchester United captain Roy Keane responded.

The twists and turns after that point came in Europe and the cups.

They dramatically were knocked out of the Champions League on penalties by PSG in the Round of 16 in the same week Newcastle defeated them in the League Cup final to end dreams of a treble.

But the league campaign remained smooth sailing.

A 1-0 home Merseyside Derby win was the highlight of the final march towards the title that also included the super sub striking again with Alexander-Arnold scoring a 76th minute winner in their previous outing that confirmed Leicester City’s relegation.

They even delivered yet another comeback effort to seal the deal with Dominic Solanke scoring the opener for Tottenham before Liverpool ran riot.

Meanwhile, many of their rivals are embroiled in the hotly contested race to be among the top five and earn a lucrative Champions League place for next season.

Thirty-four Premier League outings ago, that is where everyone thought Liverpool would be.

But they have been on cloud nine for some time thanks to Slot, Salah and co., and the party is set to rage on for weeks, if not months.

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