Liverpool clinched the Premier League title on Sunday, their first in five years, as Arne Slot’s side beat Tottenham 5-1 at Anfield to secure a 20th league title
Liverpool did what many predicted they would for much of the season on Sunday by winning the Premier League. Arne Slot, in his first season in charge, clinched a 20th league title for the Reds to equal Manchester United’s record.
And he did so in spectacular fashion as his team demolished Tottenham 5-1 at Anfield, showcasing the same ruthlessness they’ve displayed throughout the 2024/25 season. Remarkably, Slot managed it all while only making one outfield signing last summer – Federico Chiesa, who played a minimal role in their incredible campaign.
It not only highlights Slot’s tactical prowess and ability to seamlessly integrate into the club but also underscores the phenomenal job done by his predecessor, Jurgen Klopp, in building such a formidable squad from scratch.
Klopp himself narrowly missed out on securing his second Premier League title in his final season, despite leading the table for the initial months of 2024. However, less than a year after his departure, his influence is still evident in Liverpool’s success, with Slot’s victory further cementing Klopp’s legacy as one of Anfield’s most successful managers.
Klopp’s journey at Liverpool, spanning just under nine years, wasn’t without its challenges, however. When he took over in October 2015, the club was languishing in 10th place, with only one top-five finish in six seasons and an eight-year absence from the Champions League knockout stages.
His never-say-die attitude was evident from the early days of his tenure at Liverpool, as seen when his team clinched a dramatic 5-4 victory against Norwich at Carrow Road with the final kick of the game. Yet, it wasn’t until an unforgettable night in May 2019 that Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea and United boss, truly acknowledged Klopp’s profound impact.
Liverpool had it all to do at Anfield, needing to overturn a 3-0 defeat they suffered against Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final first leg a week earlier. In an astonishing display, Klopp’s side netted four times, with Divock Origi and Gini Wijnaldum both scoring twice, to eliminate Lionel Messi’s Barcelona and advance to the final. There, they secured a 2-0 win over Tottenham, earning their sixth European crown and a first since 2005.
Mourinho, speaking to Sky Sports, attributed the epic comeback to Klopp: “For me, this [comeback] has one name – Jurgen. This is about him. This is a reflection of his personality: don’t give up his fighting spirit, every player giving everything.
“He’s not crying because he’s missing [injured] players, he’s not crying because they’re playing 50 or 60 matches a season. Today is about Jurgen’s mentality.
“This is not about tactics, not about philosophy. This is about heart and soul and fantastic empathy he has created with that group of players.”
That was certainly high praise coming from Mourinho, who himself won three Premier League titles and two Champions League trophies with Inter Milan and Porto. The Portuguese, who currently manages Fenerbahce, knew all too well about Klopp’s side, having lost seven and only won two of their 13 meetings.
Klopp’s ‘heavy metal’ football, characterised by its relentless pressing and swift transitions, mirrored his own intense character. His animated presence on the touchline and fist pumps to the Liverpool supporters were more than just theatrics; they instilled his squad with fervour and determination.
While there were some unsavoury moments involving Klopp’s interactions with the media and match officials, it was his distinctive approach that led Liverpool to their first ever Premier League triumph in the pandemic-hit 2019/20 season.
And so, while Slot conquered the league in dominant fashion in his debut season in England, the Reds boss knew he had to acknowledge the man with a bigger role than any in their present-day success. “Jurgen Klopp, la la la la la,” he belted out after clinching the title, as the Anfield crowd joined in in adoration.