Liverpool’s Premier League success: How Slot defied odds

NO sooner had the final whistle sounded at Anfield, confirming Arne Slot’s historic title feat at Liverpool, did the doubters start trying to downplay the achievement.

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

Koppites celebrated late into the night after the 5-1 win over Tottenham, painting the town red (Bok captain Siya Kolisi was part of the throng).

But the debate has already started about where Slot’s triumph ranks among the great debut seasons by a Premier League manager.

Dilly ding, dilly dong ‘Special One Jose Mourinho is thrown into the mix for his first-season heroics at Chelsea. Claudio Ranieri’s dilly ding, dilly dong season at Leicester is still the stuff of Foxes fairytales. While Slot’s championship pales in comparison to Leicester's for shock value, no one also saw it coming.

The Dutchman was supposed to struggle to replace the iconic Jurgen Klopp at Anfield. He would need time to bed into the Premier League. He did not have the proven pedigree for a big club, having come from Feyenoord. Liverpool were set for a rebuilding phase.

He would be lucky to make the top four. He did not have the signings to play the way he wanted to play ... sound familiar?

These were all familiar refrains when the manager arrived before the beginning of the season. Even Slot admitted that the top four was the original goal, but his players proved they were far better than that.