Liverpool are on the verge of winning their second Premier League title this season, with Arne Slot working wonders with the squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp
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Liverpool's English midfielder Jordan Henderson (C) lifts the Premier League trophy during the presentation following the English Premier League football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on July 22, 2020
Several of the Liverpool title-winning squad are on course for their second winners' medal
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Arne Slot is well on his way to emulating Jurgen Klopp's Premier League triumph in his debut season as Liverpool manager. With a comfortable 12-point lead over second-placed Arsenal and just nine games remaining, the Reds are in a commanding position.
With no other distractions, the team can now fully concentrate on securing the title after the international break. Slot has done an exceptional job with the squad he took over from Klopp, with many players on track to earn their second Premier League winners' medal.
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Caoimhin Kelleher has stepped up as Alisson's deputy, a role previously held by Adrian who left for Real Betis last summer. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Harvey Elliott, Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah are all set to add another title to their collection.
Since their first Premier League win, they've bagged two League Cups, an FA Cup and a Community Shield. However, there have been numerous changes in the squad since the Premier League trophy was last wrapped in red ribbon nearly five years ago.
A few former Reds are still plying their trade in the English top flight. Adam Lallana returned to struggling Southampton last summer, leaving ex-Liverpool colleague James Milner at Brighton.
Neco Williams has become an integral part of Nuno Espirito Santo's soaring Nottingham Forest side, while Ki-Jana Hoever is on Wolves' roster but currently on loan at AJ Auxerre in Ligue 1. Nat Phillips and Rhian Brewster have dropped down to the Football League with Derby County and Sheffield United respectively.
Meanwhile, Andy Lonergan is defying age at 41, embracing a player-coach role at Wigan Athletic. Dejan Lovren, now 35, is nursing an injury at Greek outfit PAOK Thessaloniki, still contributing in the later stages of his career.
Adam Lallana, James Milner, Jordan Henderson, Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold of Liverpool celebrate with The Premier League trophy
Lallana and Milner reunited at Brighton after their Anfield exits(Image: Paul Ellis/Pool via Getty Images)
A few of Klopp's champions have been lured by the riches of the Saudi Pro League. Al-Ittihad's Fabinho, Al-Ahli's Roberto Firmino, and Al-Ettifaq's Georginio Wijnaldum are still crossing paths in the Middle East.
Wijnaldum briefly reunited with Jordan Henderson in Saudi before his move to Ajax last year, where despite another falling out he's managed to earn a surprise call-up to Thomas Tuchel's first England squad at the age of 34.
Sadio Mane, too, has joined the Saudi Pro League's lucrative ranks, signing with Al-Nassr alongside Cristiano Ronaldo after a tumultuous stint at Bayern Munich marred by rumours of a bust-up with Leroy Sane. "Leaving FC Bayern hurts me. I would have wished for a different ending," he confessed to Sky Sports.
Sadio Mane of Bayern Munich
Mane was hurt by his premature Bayern Munich exit
Naby Keita's German adventure also fell flat as he moved to Werder Bremen in 2023 on a free transfer, initially hailed as a "no-brainer" by sporting director Frank Baumann, a decision he likely lamented later.
The injury problems that plagued his time with the Reds persisted, and he only managed to play 107 minutes of football last season. Moreover, he reportedly arrived late for several meetings and declined to attend numerous sponsor events.
Bremen's patience wore thin when he refused to get on the team bus ahead of their match against Bayer Leverkusen after being informed he wouldn't be in the starting line-up. They suspended and fined him before loaning him out to Hungarian side Ferencvaros in January, where he has since made four appearances.
Naby Keita of SV Werder Bremen looks dejected during the Bundesliga match between SV Werder Bremen and 1. FC Köln at Wohninvest Weserstadion on September 23, 2023
Naby Keita's career has continued on a downwards trajectory
Meanwhile, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is back in the Besiktas starting XI, despite his own ongoing injury issues in Turkey. Xherdan Shaqiri enjoyed a dream return to Basel last year following a short stint with Lyon and three years in the United States with the Chicago Fire.
Takumi Minamino is also a regular for Monaco. However, the same cannot be said for Divock Origi at AC Milan, where he has been exiled this season.
The Belgian forward hasn't been seen by his club in months, and with his contract running until 2026, there doesn't seem to be a solution in sight. However, there was a happy ending for Joel Matip, who retired in October after leaving Liverpool alongside Klopp.
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