For the millions of football lovers following the English Premier League, the 2024/25 season is done, won and dusted even though there is one round of matches left in the season.
However, for the Liverpool fans and faithful across the globe – the big question is: Can Arne Slot and his team sustain the momentum for another season.
This is a honest and genuine question for those asking, because Slot joined the list of elite coaches who won the Premier League in their first season.
Only four coaches have won the Premier League in their first season in England.
Coaches like Jose Mourinho (Chelsea) 2004/05; Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea) 2009/10; Manuel Pellegrini (Man City) 2013/14, and Antonio Conte (Chelsea) 2016/17.
Slot is now the 5th coach in history to lift the Premier League trophy in his first time of asking.
On Monday, Liverpool travel to the American Express Community Stadium to play Brighton & Hove, currently in nine position with 56 points.
But, for many analysts, Liverpool’s relative stroll towards a 20th title carries a heavy warning signal to the rivals who must now attempt to knock the Premier League crown off their heads next season.
Slot’s seamless transition into what many regarded as the impossible task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp has not only resulted in a triumph achieved with relative comfort, it has been done without any serious strengthening of the squad he inherited.
This is testimony to his inheritance from Klopp, but also to the shrewd strategy he employed to such triumphant effect.
Liverpool signed Valencia’s Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili in a deal worth up to £29m last summer in readiness for next season, while the only outfield player to arrive was Juventus winger Federico Chiesa in a £10m move.
But Liverpool could go into overdrive this summer, with their recruitment team, under sporting director Richard Hughes, well on with preparations to add heavyweight reinforcements.
Liverpool’s past mantra is add from a position of strength – and you do not get much stronger than the status of Premier League champions.
There are questions in defence, especially in the full-back positions, while even Virgil van Dijk’s decision to sign a new contract may not rule out additions at centre-back.
Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to join Real Madrid on a free transfer, while Andrew Robertson is 31, with speculation rife that Bournemouth’s Hungary left-back Milos Kerkez will arrive as his successor.
“Van Dijk is staying and will be the mainstay, so whether there is an addition depends on Arne Slot’s view on Joe [Gomez] and Jarell Quansah,” former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy told BBC Sport.
According to him, the amount of minutes they have played this season is very limited, hence the thinking Slot might want some back-up in the full back position.
“Virgil is coming up to 34 so they will want to get someone who will play a lot of games. If Van Dijk gets injured there is no-one there with anywhere near his presence.
“There have been rumours about Dean Huijsen at Bournemouth, who is a super young talent, but I’d like to see someone a bit further down the line in their development.
“The names that spring to mind will not be easy, maybe impossible, to get but you think of Micky van de Ven at Spurs, Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace and Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite,” Murphy said.
Liverpool’s immediate defensive priority looks to be at left-back, but the emergence of 21-year-old Conor Bradley, who just renewed his contract has delivered what looks like an ideal replacement at right-back if Alexander-Arnold leaves.
Liverpool’s big priority last summer was the search for a ‘number six’, but one that left them frustrated when Real Sociedad’s Spain Euro 2024 winner Martin Zubimendi turned down a £52m move.
Slot pulled off the masterstroke of using fellow Dutchman Ryan Gravenberch in the position to stunning effect.
Another headache for Slot ahead of next season is the No. 9 position, which Darwin Nunez has failed to own.
Nunez has had three full seasons at Liverpool since completing a move worth up to £85m from Benfica – but is no nearer proving he is the reliable and consistent marksman for the Kop.
The 25-year-old has been pushed to the margins under Slot, who has also made public criticisms of his attitude.
Liverpool’s supporters have never lost faith in Nunez, loving his ‘Captain Chaos’ style and effort, but it looks increasingly like his time is up.
