In many ways, Slot’s main job has been to build on and improve the outstanding squad left behind by his predecessor, who averaged 80.33 points in his last three seasons at Anfield.
Three more victories would mean Liverpool break the 90-point barrier after Slot tightened the defence and brought more control to the midfield.
“They’ve amassed these points by winning when it’s hard, winning when it’s ugly, winning when the opposition have put up a fight,” adds Atkinson.
“Liverpool have managed to do that – none of their rivals have.”
While Federico Chiesa was the only addition to Slot’s squad for this season, the Dutch coach has improved players, including Ryan Gravenberch, who has grasped his opportunity at the base of Liverpool’s midfield after the club missed out on signing Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad.
With 28 Premier League goals and 18 assists in 34 appearances – compared to 18 goals and 10 assists in 32 appearances in Klopp’s final season – Mohamed Salah’s figures under Slot have been seriously impressive.
Gravenberch’s Netherlands team-mate Cody Gakpo has provided 17 goals in all competitions in 2024-25, beating his tally from last season.
“In his first meeting with the players, Arne had all the data from the season they were champions in 2019-20 and all the data from the final season under Klopp,” adds Westerveld.
“Last season, compared to the title season, there were less sprints, the team was less effective. Instead of saying to the players, ‘come on, work hard’, he was telling them exactly what they had to do and needed to know showing them all the data.”
There have been tweaks off the field too, with Slot implementing a new routine for how his players build up to games.
Under Klopp, the day would begin later, but this season players have been at the training ground in Kirkby, about six and a half miles from Anfield, at 9.15am for breakfast.
Slot and his backroom team have introduced a process known as ‘body wake-up’, which involves breathing exercises before both training and matches.
Under Klopp, the Liverpool squad would stay together in a hotel before home games. That is no longer the case, with players allowed to remain at their own homes.
Training sessions have been longer than before but less intense to reduce injury risk, with fitness issues undermining several campaigns in recent years.
In addition, Slot has made key hires behind the scenes.
Ruben Peeters, a specialist in periodisation (the science of optimising training loads), followed Slot from Feyenoord, Dr Jonathan Power was promoted to director of medicine and performance, while Amit Pannu joined as a new first-team doctor.
