Dietmar Hamann believes the job done by Arne Slot at Liverpool has been put into perspective during the past week
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Updated 12:42, 18 Mar 2025
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP via Getty Images)
Dietmar Hamann believes Liverpool's disappointing week underlines the impressive job Arne Slot has done in turning them into runaway Premier League leaders - but warned successive defeats could scar the players. The Reds were beaten in the League Cup final by Newcastle United on Sunday just five days after slipping out of the Champions League round of 16 on penalties to Paris Saint-Germain.
Liverpool, though, are strong favourites to win a record-equalling 20th league championship and stand 12 points clear at the Premier League summit from Arsenal with nine games remaining.
And while former Reds midfielder Hamann expects that gap to be cut before the end of the campaign, he is confident the title is heading to Anfield and believes Slot has gained the absolute maximum from the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp last summer.
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"I don’t have any worries or concerns about Arne’s management after the two defeats," said Hamann. "Obviously they're still in a very strong position in the Premier League. There’s nine games to go, 27 points to win or to lose, and they're 12 ahead.
"I wouldn't be surprised if we get to a situation where (Arsenal) get it down to six or seven points, but eventually Liverpool should hold on.
"The last week made me realise what a job the manager has done. Everybody is talking about this team that's running away with the Premier League (and) this is the same team as last year, plus (Federico) Chiesa. Other teams brought players in, City brought players in and bought in January. The other teams bought players, Liverpool haven't.
"People said Klopp left a great team. Yes, Klopp left a very good team, but Slot made it into a very, very good team. And I think it just goes to show that the gap between Liverpool and Arsenal, and Liverpool and City, in terms of players and squad, is not as big as the Premier League table says - I think Slot has got the absolute maximum out of the team up to now."
Speaking to bestbettingsites.co.uk, Hamann added: "It’s unfortunate to win all the games in the league phase and get knocked out in the last 16 of the Champions League, but they got knocked out by the most in-form team in Europe. You can’t have any qualms about it - it’s just the way it goes. Liverpool did not have the luck of the draw.
"Liverpool have got to be careful. I think they’ve got a long way to go, and psychologically it will leave a scar, these last two games."