Liverpool's Title Charge: Arne Slot's Tactics Pay Off.

Arne Slot's Liverpool has taken the Premier League by storm, with the Dutch coach's tactics and Salah's sensational form combining for a near-perfect year.

When Arne Slot was appointed as the successor to Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp in May, many questioned whether the Dutchman was up to the task of filling the German's shoes at Anfield.

However, halfway through his first Premier League campaign, Slot's appointment is looking increasingly inspired. The Dutch coach has made a seamless transition to life at Liverpool, and his team's performances on the pitch have been impressive, making him an instant hero among the Reds' faithful.

Liverpool's resounding 5-0 victory over West Ham United on Sunday has propelled Arne Slot's side to a commanding position in the Premier League standings. With an eight-point cushion over surprise second-placed Nottingham Forest and a 14-point lead over reigning champions Manchester City, Liverpool are firmly in the driver's seat.

Arne Slot's inaugural year at the helm has been nothing short of phenomenal, with his team suffering only one defeat in all competitions this season. This impressive run is a continuation of the form he exhibited during his tenure at Feyenoord, where his side remained unbeaten from the start of the year until his departure, ultimately finishing as runners-up to PSV Eindhoven.

As the year draws to a close, Liverpool's dominance has set them up for a strong push for their 20th top-flight title. The only blemish on their record this season is a loss to Nottingham Forest, but with their current momentum, Slot's side appear well-equipped to make a concerted bid for championship glory.

Arne Slot was gracious in his praise for Nottingham Forest, the only team to have beaten Liverpool this season. “Compliments to Nottingham Forest. They were the one,” Slot said, acknowledging the Forest's achievement after his side's impressive 5-0 victory over West Ham at the London Stadium.

While Slot inherited a talented squad from his predecessor Jurgen Klopp, he has made subtle yet effective tweaks to Liverpool's playing style. The team has adopted a slightly more pragmatic approach, moving away from Klopp's high-intensity pressing game. However, Slot has successfully retained Liverpool's attacking flair, as evidenced by their impressive goal-scoring record. The Reds have netted 45 goals in just 18 games, including an impressive 14 goals in their last three matches.

One key factor in Arne Slot's successful start at Liverpool has been the phenomenal form of Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward is having a standout season, despite the ongoing uncertainty surrounding his contract talks.

Salah's impressive performance on Sunday took his goal tally for the season to 20, and his two assists brought his total goal involvement to 30 in just 18 Premier League games for Liverpool. On a broader scale, Salah's overall statistics for 2024 are staggering, with 29 goals and 23 assists in all competitions, totaling 52 goal involvements. This impressive record surpasses that of any other player in Europe's top five leagues.

“Mo and the word extraordinary is something I've heard a lot in the last six months,” Slot told reporters.

“He truly deserves this and probably for the eight years, but I am involved in the last half-year. I don't think he keeps surprising us because we know what a player he is and we know he is able to do so. We can only hope he can keep bringing these performances in, but I would like to add that if he scores there's also a lead-up to him scoring.

“So there are also other players that bring him into these positions, but if you bring Mo in these positions, he is extraordinary. Definitely.”

Arne Slot was thrilled to see five different players find the back of the net on Sunday, but he was equally pleased to secure a clean sheet after a five-game wait. This defensive solidity was a welcome relief, especially considering Liverpool had conceded nine goals in their previous four matches.

Slot emphasized the importance of keeping clean sheets, recognizing that relying on scoring multiple goals every game is not a sustainable strategy. “Clean sheets are one of the reasons why you win a lot. If every time you have to score two, three or four goals it is difficult,” he explained. Slot acknowledged that his team has been able to score freely of late, but he knows that this cannot be expected to continue indefinitely. “At the moment we do but it is not sustainable for a longer period of time. Sometimes you need a win by keeping a clean sheet and scoring one or two,” he added.