It has been an excellent start for Liverpool in the Arne Slot-era at the club. The Dutchman took over from Jurgen Klopp earlier this summer, and he is showing exactly why he is regarded as one of the best managers in Europe.
Here is a look at why the numbers suggest Liverpool are set for a successful campaign this year.
100% Start to Champions League
5/5 in the @ChampionsLeague ✨ pic.twitter.com/1RhhJEDGPq
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 28, 2024
Liverpool are the only team in the group stage of the Champions League with a 100% record. They picked up their fifth win in five games when they defeated the champions Real Madrid at Anfield in a 2-0 triumph.
Slot’s side are the 9/2 favourites in the Champions League betting, so the bookmakers rate them as the team to beat this season following their impressive start. With 15 points already, they are on course to finish in the top eight, which will see them secure a place in the last 16.
The Champions League winner odds suggest English rivals Arsenal and Manchester City are Liverpool’s main challengers in the European competition. Those two clubs are second best in the betting at 11-2. Three of the last six renewals of the Champions League have been won by Premier League teams.
Healthy Lead at Top of Premier League Standings
It is not just in Europe where Liverpool are leading the way this season, their advantage at the top of the Premier League table is even healthier. After 12 games into the campaign, the Merseyside club are eight points clear of second place.
Liverpool’s only defeat through their opening 12 matches came at home to Nottingham Forest. They defeated Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford, got the better of Chelsea 2-1 at Anfield, while they came away from the Emirates Stadium with a valuable point after a 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
Although it remains early in the season, Liverpool have put pressure on both Arsenal and Manchester City. Their rivals cannot afford to drop too many points until the end of the season. Slot will be pushing his players to keep up their form going into the new year.
Quadruple Remains on For Liverpool
The Quarter-Final draw! 🏆#EFL | #CarabaoCup
— Carabao Cup (@Carabao_Cup) October 30, 2024
Liverpool remain involved in four major competitions this season, which means they are still in contention for the quadruple. Their first chance at some silverware is the Carabao Cup. The Reds are in the quarter-final of the competition, where they will face Southampton in a last-eight tie at St Mary’s.
With 10 triumphs in the competition, Liverpool are the most successful team in the history of the Carabao Cup. They lifted the trophy last season after beating Chelsea in the final after extra-time at Wembley.
Liverpool will also begin their FA Cup campaign in January in the third round. They have won the world’s oldest cup competition eight times, with their last success coming in 2022. Slot will be hoping his side can make it through to the final in May, which could be a busy period for his team.
Should Slot win multiple trophies at Liverpool this season, it will rank as one of the greatest achievements by any foreign manager in their first year in English football.