Liverpool feels 'disappointment' over yet another 'low key' title, while an Arsenal supporter is already eager to take on Real Madrid. However, the discussion about Mikel Arteta goes on.
Fewer criticisms, more flexibility
The sole question Slot mentioned he posed to Klopp was what led to the decline in performance following a strong beginning to the 2023/24 season.
As we observe Liverpool conclude what was a thrilling set of matches while increasing their margin to 13 points, he evidently reflected deeply on this and absorbed whatever information he received.
Slot is certainly perplexing the football analysts who continually produce pessimistic views or minimize Liverpool's accomplishments after having dismissed them prior to the season's commencement.
The same analysts who eagerly praised nearly every other coach for brief winning periods (except for Amorim and Ten Hag, of course.)
Maybe this is due to him not being as ‘big’ a personality as Klopp or the squad not being as daring as during Klopp’s heavy metal era.
He is undoubtedly a practical coach. Maybe more similar to an Ancelotti in that respect. Open to altering formation not only from match to match but also during matches.
It’s challenging to keep up performance on four fronts – as players are essentially competing in two matches every week, even during International breaks. That’s the reason teams that are typically not in Europe face difficulties when they compete there. Even teams outside of Europe face difficulties with added matches, the heightened scrutiny from the media during successful runs, or the reality that in the latter part of the season, they cease to be the ‘surprise’ team.
Liverpool has consistently demonstrated a post-Christmas slump under Klopp, and although Slot faced it somewhat, his more tempered approach appears to be yielding positive results now. Admittedly, with City’s typically relentless approach, Klopp might have been more involved, but it appears significantly more controlled now.
Recent tests suggest that Liverpool is relinquishing significant possession while retaining control and an attacking threat, indicating that Slot is preparing for the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
Whatever he is up to is effective. FSG and the senior management of Liverpool are facing significant criticism over the current contract issues concerning Van Dijk, Salah, and TAA, yet they deserve recognition for successfully replacing a unique figure like Klopp without any decline in performance. Paul McDevitt
A disgruntled supporter of Liverpool
Following Arsenal's recent setback, Liverpool requires 5 victories and 5 ties to secure the championship mathematically. Realistically, I believe that 4 victories and 6 losses should suffice, as it would imply Arsenal needs 25 points from their last 11 matches. I cannot observe that in its present state. For me, the title is practically finished and settled.
I must confess a slight feeling of disappointment, even as a Liverpool supporter. This title seems set to be claimed again similarly to the last one, with matches remaining. It feels somewhat disappointing to realize that the championship will be decided in February. I really wish we could have clinched at least one of those final day titles against Man City. Although I am happy that Liverpool will claim their 20th title, the way we achieve it, like the previous one, feels somewhat understated. At least the supporters can enjoy this one in a fitting way, however. Shiraz, Johannesburg
Offside Rules
Not an email from a ‘Big 6’ club, so sorry…
I'm truly interested in hearing opinions about Villa's disallowed Watkins goal for offside against Palace. I won’t delve into where lines are drawn and when – let’s just assume that’s done properly. I will certainly acknowledge my bias as well. Even though I mentioned comparable points after the 3-3 match between Villa and Liverpool last season, I believe two of Liverpool's goals should have been awarded.
I simply won't believe that Watkins was offside in that instance. View it on MoTD. It genuinely frustrates me – and I'd feel the same if Palace had one ruled out in comparable situations. It’s not merely ‘close’; to me, it’s simply not offside. Is everyone else satisfied with it, though? I'll be quiet then.
Gary AVFC, Oxford
Arsenal versus Real Madrid?
I believe that Arsenal's issues with injuries in attack have turned this into a very intriguing possibility (assuming they defeat PSV).
Arsenal have faced immense pressure lately to win every match, making this the first game in some time where Arteta can adopt the role of the underdog. It will be interesting to observe his approach to it. Might really fit him as a manager.
In my opinion (and ready for criticism), Arsenal has the strongest defense (at least in terms of personnel) and it’s not too far-fetched to claim that Real Madrid boasts the top forwards.
These days, we don't encounter as many intriguing style confrontations since trends have shifted uniformly towards a (now post?) Pep vibe.
I'm an impartial observer, so I'm looking forward to this one. Plenty of talent, desperate defending, and unsporting behavior.
James, Cymru.
Contrasting Arteta with Klopp
Christ, Klopp, and Arteta, Lee, must we address this right now? I understand it must be quite exhausting to not receive recognition in your own season while everyone feels the need to constantly refer back to Arsenal, but we're in a similar situation – we’d prefer no one brought us up either at this moment.
You’re permitted to simply relish it, you know? Slot's luck does not lessen his achievements.
Do you want me to state that Klopp is/was a superior manager compared to Arteta? Because, and let me take you by surprise here, I have no problems admitting that he is. Bringing in ten Hag is absurd, of course, and totally undermines any credibility in your statements, but it doesn’t matter.
To be clear, Liverpool’s rapid ascent under Klopp is not merely a tale of the underdog. It was a) equally costly as Arsenal’s and b) as vast wealth (paired with coaching brilliance) as one can find in Premier League history.
Alright, let’s begin with costly. Now, we will utilize gross expenditure since net expenditure is for fools (not everyone has the luck to take advantage of a misguided Barcelona £142m for Coutinho) and apply the club's gross expenditure as a percentage of total league expenditure (a fresh metric that will soon become popular) as a way to gauge how comparatively costly your business was in relation to the competition.
We will spend the initial 4 years showcasing the development of Liverpool’s team and similarly for Arteta.
Liverpool expenditure from 2015 to 2018: 560 million euros.
Arsenal expenditures from 2019 to 2024: 670 million euros.
Geld ausgeben von 2015-2018: 7Million Euro
League expenditure 2019-23: 9.4Million euros
It is truly remarkably near! During that period, Liverpool accounted for 8% of market spending, while Arsenal represented 7%. So yes, you weren't looking for deals; you were indeed investing, at that moment, more than we did compared to the competition to boost your growth.
Next, we discuss fortune. I understand this is debatable since some might argue, ‘no way, it’s excellent scouting,’ but honestly, no one observed Salah at Roma and predicted, ‘he’ll play every match and net all the goals for the upcoming decade.’
Robertson, Salah, Mane, Wijnaldum—one can confidently assert that each consistently exceeded their transfer worth and provided remarkable value during Klopp’s successful era beyond initial expectations. Was this due to his coaching? Somewhat and perhaps even mostly, but likely not! Likewise, I wouldn't claim that Saka, Odegaard, or Saliba’s excellence is solely attributed to Arteta.
You subsequently received that previously mentioned absurd windfall for Coutinho and purchased the priciest defender and goalkeeper globally! Who ultimately proved to be the finest defender and goalkeeper globally! Fortunate fortunate.
And with a few notable exceptions, they all had truly excellent availability during this golden period (especially in Salah’s case, almost superhuman). Particularly regarding those significant exceptions, Liverpool's achievements largely aligned with player availability (which, once more, is completely fine – having top-tier athletes available naturally correlates with success, hence the saying ‘the best ability is availability’ stands as one of the most recognized truths in professional sports).
However, all of the above does not undermine Klopp – luck is a significant factor in transforming a near team into a dynasty; United’s treble-winning season in '99 could have been irrelevant without a few penalties and late goals. Liverpool merits recognition for being one of the top teams in Premier League history during that period (I gladly rank them higher than many title-winning teams, even when they finished behind City) and I have no qualms putting Klopp as a tactician/manager above all Arsenal managers from my time.
For Arsenal in this 4-year period, we recognize we've spent significant sums on every player, but in an overheated transfer market where the blue mouthbreathers from across town are copying our scouting reports, the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, and Brentford are snapping up quality developmental talent, and even relegation teams are asking for £40m to release their players. Oh, and Pep is still here along with Klopp as well.
During that period, Arsenal has also evolved into a highly skilled team. Arteta achieved his 100th victory just 10 matches later than Klopp. We've achieved a strong success rate for signings, and while we could not match Klopp’s first season back in the CL with the same level of success, we weren't able to acquire a 44-goal forward that summer.
Indeed, the turning moment for Klopp and Arteta has arrived this season – as Liverpool advanced to secure CL/PL in consecutive years during standout seasons for all the previously mentioned stars who were present for crucial moments, we are set to exit quietly with all our top players missing.
Yes, we're disappointed; this can certainly be attributed to a club that didn't take adequate actions this January and possibly the previous summer. To what extent is this Arteta's responsibility? Certainly a certain level, and this summer Arsenal supporters will have inquiries for all, and even Arteta will expect a great deal from the club’s leadership.
However, not performing well? How do they stack up against the two top managers in the PL over the past decade (and some of the greatest in history)? Certainly. However, two runner-up positions in two years and possibly a third if we can barely make it? No one else has matched it.
Tom (by the way, when did net spending turn into the narrative of the moment rather than just a tool for blaming excuse makers – which has historically included Wenger’s Arsenal, for what it's worth) Leyton
Regarding well-known Liverpool fan, Dave Tickner
I understand that many football enthusiasts perceive supposed bias all around, but when it strikes you that an article appears quite slanted, to the point where you look at the byline and remain alert for bias in their upcoming pieces, consistently finding instances of it, I believe this time it could genuinely be accurate.
Liverpool is certainly enjoying a strong season, despite many others occasionally struggling, yet when he discusses Liverpool, it feels like he is attempting and failing to hide his glee. It contains unmasked joy. Likewise, although Man United is unquestionably enduring a historically bad season, he always seizes the opportunity to criticize them when they're struggling, belittle even minor successes, and openly mock them. The Sack Race piece consistently points out that dismissing Amorim would be ‘hilarious,’ and even today’s W&L refers to their possible relegation as the ‘most amusing thing ever.’
The sections regarding Fulham and Brighton start with yet another opportunity to praise Liverpool. For anyone not supporting the Reds, it’s extremely fckn exhausting.
The main strength of wanderlustsport throughout the years has consistently been the writers' capacity to articulate thoughtfully and impartially about all Premier League teams and numerous European ones, supported by pertinent statistics and insights alongside a balanced portrayal of the indescribable emotions surrounding each club. A considerable amount of consideration is given to portraying teams of all sizes and fanbases – while larger teams may receive more attention, smaller teams are still adequately and respectfully represented. Definitely, competition isn't a factor. Amorim's remark about United being "a big club but a small team" currently holds significance, yet I can't recall a team facing such relentless ridicule, and Liverpool never endured such harsh criticism during their 30 years without a title. United may be struggling at the moment, but Tickner comes off as an equally ungainly winner as Klopp was a poor loser.
Regardless, I've reached a stage where I will simply steer clear of pieces featuring his name in the byline. He may require a reminder that he’s contributing to a site that has traditionally been impartial, rather than a supporter’s magazine.
Alistair Gilmour, Glasgow
Hello there,
I found it intriguing to see Dave Tickner, in Winners and Losers, refer to Mo Salah's assist for Diaz against Newcastle as 'defying the laws of physics'. Considering it was a sphere bending in the direction of applied spin, where precisely is the resistance? If anything, it was ingratiating itself to the principles of physics. Kissing up to them and insisting they have the finest laws that no other regulations can match. Regardless, enjoy your day.
Ben, St Albans.
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