With Liverpool currently leading the Premier League by five points, comparisons are being drawn to their last title-winning campaign under Jürgen Klopp in 2019-20. The Reds have amassed an impressive 28 points from their opening 11 matches this season, a feat they’ve only bettered once in the past 34 years. But how does Arne Slot’s current squad stack up against Klopp’s champions from five years ago?
Goalkeeping Stability and Depth
Between the posts, little has changed for Liverpool. Alisson remains the undisputed first-choice keeper and one of the world’s best. However, injuries have been a concern, with the Brazilian missing significant time in both title-challenging seasons. While deputy Caoimhín Kelleher provides able cover, Alisson’s prolonged absences could impact Liverpool’s title hopes, just as Adrián’s mistakes proved costly in 2019-20.
Commanding Center-Back Partnership
In defense, the commanding partnership of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté has been key to Liverpool’s solidity this season. Van Dijk, at 33, remains imperious, while Konaté has excelled since Slot’s arrival. As a pairing, they have underpinned Liverpool’s defensive improvement, with an expected goals against rate of just 0.84 per game – the club’s best since 2018-19.
Konate and Van Dijk have formed the strongest centre-half pairing in the Premier League.
– According to a close source
While Klopp had more experienced cover in 2019-20 with the likes of Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip, Slot’s tactical tweaks – employing two deep-lying midfielders and reining in the full-backs – have made Liverpool a more compact defensive unit.
Midfield Makeover
Midfield is where the starkest contrast lies between Slot and Klopp’s title contenders. Gone are the “dependables” of Henderson, Wijnaldum, and Milner, replaced by a crop of technically gifted operators in Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister. While perhaps not yet at the consistent, press-resistant level of their predecessors, Slot’s midfielders have more license to express themselves, adding a new dimension to Liverpool’s play.
Curtis Jones has also moved up a level this season, although Slot wants more consistency from the homegrown talent.
– According to those close to the club
Abundance of Attacking Talent
Up front, Liverpool boast an abundance of attacking talent that would be the envy of most. Mohamed Salah remains the constant, registering double-digit goals and assists already this season. He’s supported by the likes of Luis Díaz, Cody Gakpo, and Darwin Núñez – a forward line brimming with pace, skill, and goal threat.
Yet even this wealth of options still has some way to go to match the telepathic understanding and consistent output of Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino at their peak under Klopp. That fearsome trio was the perfect embodiment of Liverpool’s high-octane style.
Tactical Evolution and Title Experience
While Slot has undoubtedly put his own stamp on this Liverpool side, tweaking the tactics and refreshing the personnel, echoes of Klopp’s title-winners remain. The experience of serial winners like Salah, Van Dijk, and Alisson could prove invaluable during the run-in.
Arne Slot has built a formidable Liverpool outfit primed to challenge for the Premier League crown once again. But only time will tell if they can match the relentless consistency that defined Jürgen Klopp’s champions. The early signs are promising, and the Anfield faithful will be hoping the glory days are set to return. Come May, the comparisons with the class of 2019-20 will be easier to judge.
