Slot Eager As Liverpool Closes In On First Title Win Before A Full Crowd Since 1990

‎Liverpool is geared up for a Premier League title celebration, aiming to secure a record-equalling 20th English top-flight crown against Tottenham at Anfield this Sunday.

‎A draw in the match would bring Liverpool to a total of 80 points, making the title mathematically unreachable for second-placed Arsenal.

‎The Gunners would be left 13 points adrift with just four matches left to play.

‎Arne Slot’s team has been the strong favorite to capture just their second Premier League title for months. The manager believes they have a “big responsibility” to seal the victory in front of their home supporters.

‎The Reds’ last title, five years ago, was slightly anticlimactic as it came during the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning Anfield was nearly empty when the trophy was presented due to restrictions.

‎”It’s a big responsibility,” said the Dutch boss. “We are aware that the last time this club won the league was during the Covid time, so everybody is looking forward to Sunday.

‎”We know there’s still a job to do. We need at least one point. Our fans know as well. When they come to the stadium they have to support us in the best possible way as they have done all season.”

‎On paper, Liverpool have little to fear from Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs, who are 16th in the table and have not won at Anfield since 2011.

‎Liverpool’s impending title success will be all the sweeter because it will move them level with bitter rivals Manchester United as the joint most successful club in English top-flight history.

‎Salah help make the season great

‎Fuelled by the unstoppable Mohamed Salah, Liverpool began the season with a burst of energy and maintained their momentum while their competitors stumbled.

‎At the outset of the campaign, Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City were the favorites to continue their dominant Premier League reign and secure a fifth consecutive title.

‎Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, was seen as the coming force after two consecutive runners-up finishes behind City, but neither club has been able to match Liverpool’s intensity and consistency.

‎It was feared Liverpool’s players would need time to adapt to the methods of Slot, who replaced Jurgen Klopp last June following the German’s departure after nine trophy-filled years at Anfield.

‎But the former Feyenoord boss settled straight away, transitioning away from Klopp’s “heavy metal” brand of football involving a high press, to a more controlled, possession-based game.

‎Slot marked his tenure with an impressive 3-0 victory at Old Trafford in just his third game, and a later defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield was merely a temporary setback.

‎In the meantime, Liverpool showcased their dominance by winning 11 of their first 13 league matches. This allowed them to establish a significant lead at the top of the table while both Manchester City and Chelsea struggled.

‎Arsenal emerged as their closest challengers but they drew too many games, failing to take advantage of the rare Liverpool slip-ups.

‎Slot has navigated the season smoothly despite ongoing speculation about the futures of three of his key players: Salah, captain Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

‎Both Salah and Van Dijk have signed two-year contract extensions, while it is widely rumored that England defender Alexander-Arnold is nearing a move to Real Madrid.

‎Salah, in particular, has proved the difference-maker, scoring 27 league goals and providing 18 assists so far – already a record number of goal involvements in a 38-game season.

‎The normally calm Slot lost his cool following a fiery 2-2 draw with Everton in February and was handed a two-game touchline ban, admitting “emotions got the better of me”.

‎Liverpool hit another bump in the road when they lost to Fulham earlier this month, just their second league defeat of the season, but by then, the title triumph was a formality.

‎Slot’s team navigated the Champions League group phase with ease but stumbled against Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 and faced a surprising loss to Newcastle in the League Cup final just days later.

‎However, those painful defeats will be quickly forgotten if they secure the necessary result on Sunday to kick off the title celebration.