Micky Gray has issued his verdict on whether Liverpool will challenge for the Premier League title in their first season under Arne Slot as the Dutchman prepares to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
The Reds may ultimately feel a sense of disappointment with how Jurgen Klopp‘s final year on Merseyside played out, with Liverpool, at one stage, in contention to win a quadruple.
Stage one went well with the Reds winning the Carabao Cup at Wembley. But ultimately, Liverpool fans will be relieved that everyone associated with the club made that moment so special as they were then unable to replicate that success in the other competitions.
Liverpool fell away in the Premier League title race as Arsenal and Manchester City took it down to the final day of the season.
Liverpool set to be some way off title challenge next season
The Reds had been going through a transitional period, and had a raft of injuries throughout the campaign, so it is not entirely surprising that they were not able to keep pace with the top two.
Unfortunately for Liverpool, Micky Gray has told the Premier League All Access podcast that he does not see Arne Slot marking his first year with a title challenge as he initially reflected on Klopp’s departure.
“I think he’ll be a miss for the Premier League, whether you love him or hate him. I think he was great in front of camera, he was entertaining. I think his side, I’ve got to be completely honest with you, if you offered me a season ticket barring whatever side it was, I want to watch Liverpool every single week. They were absolutely breathtaking when you look at Salah, Mane, Firmino; that front three for me was absolutely spectacular. And what a side they had,” he said.
“You would love to watch them every single week. He’s had to change it all around, midfield’s obviously changed this season as well after the players got a little bit too old and he had to move them on. And it’s now Arne Slot who’s obviously come into the club as well, so he’s going to have different ideas.
“And I just think this is why I have said it’s a two-horse race with Arsenal and Man City next season. I don’t think Liverpool are going to be pushing anywhere near those top two spots. He’s got a job to do, he’s got to get everybody on side, he’s got to try and do it quickly, but they’re in a good place. Their squad is a lot better than if you go back to Manchester United, Fergie days, he’s left that squad in a much stronger place.”
Arne Slot excited to work with Reds star who didn’t start Jurgen Klopp’s final game
Liverpool fans will have been aware that Klopp’s successor was always facing a massive task with the German adding his name to the list of managerial greats the club have had.
So Slot will be given time, and it seems that he already has some big plans for the early stages of his tenure.
Slot sees Darwin Nunez as a critical part of his plans and is excited to work with the striker, while he also views agreeing new contracts with Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold as a priority.
There is a balance to be struck between paying homage to the foundations Klopp put in place while also taking the team in a new direction.
Sunday showed what a special opportunity it could be if Slot gets that balance right during his time at Liverpool.