Arne Slot has made a remarkable impact in his first season as Liverpool’s head coach, leading the team to the brink of securing the Premier League title. With just a point needed against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday to seal the championship, Slot is preparing to celebrate the achievement, but he has made it clear that his approach to such moments is far from extravagant.
Having won the Eredivisie title with Feyenoord in the 2022-23 season, Slot has previous experience with title celebrations, but he remains grounded in his approach. He explained that while he experienced immense joy when Feyenoord won the league, he is not one to make a big spectacle of the occasion. “I enjoyed it a lot when Feyenoord won the title – but I don’t go crazy,” he remarked, emphasizing that he didn’t engage in over-the-top displays like running around the stadium. Instead, he focused on sharing his emotions with those closest to him, including his family and friends, rather than being the loudest or most flamboyant during celebrations.
Despite Liverpool’s overwhelming dominance this season, with a 12-point lead over second-placed Arsenal and just four games remaining, Slot remains composed and reflective. Should Liverpool win or draw against Tottenham, they will secure the title with four matches still to play, underscoring their dominance in the league this season. For Slot, however, the focus is on the collective achievement rather than individual recognition. “It would be a bit weird to judge myself,” he said when asked about the significance of his potential title. Instead, he highlighted the contributions of his coaching staff and medical team, noting that they deserve much of the credit for the success Liverpool has enjoyed under his leadership.
Slot’s first season at Liverpool has been one of significant achievement, particularly given that he is managing outside of the Netherlands for the first time. The 46-year-old Dutchman has settled quickly into the role, but he remains humble about the impact he has made so far. His ability to transform Liverpool into a well-oiled machine, capable of dominating the Premier League, is evident, and securing the title in his first season would be a testament to his coaching abilities.
The last time Liverpool won the Premier League title, in June 2020 under Jürgen Klopp, was a historic moment for the club, but it came during the pandemic, with fans banned from attending matches due to Covid-19 restrictions. Slot’s potential title win will be in front of a full Anfield, adding a layer of excitement to the occasion. For Slot, however, it is not about the spectacle, but about the journey the team has taken to reach this point. “If you start to work here, then quite quickly you get a certain feeling,” he said, reflecting on his adaptation to the club. “I feel part of it. But to say I am a Scouser now would be too much. The good thing about the people here is that they welcome you from the start and you feel part of them. But it would be weird if I said after 10 months that I feel the same as people who have lived here for 30 or 40 years.”
Slot’s journey with Liverpool is still in its early stages, but his success so far has been remarkable. The title on Sunday would not only mark a significant personal achievement for him but also further cement his place in Liverpool’s storied history. As he prepares for what could be a historic day at Anfield, Slot’s understated nature and focus on the team will ensure that the moment is one of shared joy, rather than one of personal glory.
