00:00Now, Liverpool have taken control of the Premier League title race,
00:07pulling clear at the top after a series of defining moments.
00:10And Ronnie Schlott, from hard-fought wins to tactical masterclasses,
00:14the Reds have found their rhythm at the perfect time.
00:18Crucial victories against direct rivals in the rise of key young players
00:22and Schlott's calm influence on the touchline have all combined
00:26to give Liverpool a clear edge.
00:27With just a handful of games remaining, the momentum is very much with them.
00:32I spoke with Will Rooney of Liverpool World about the turning points
00:35that have shaped this impressive charge towards the title.
00:41Yeah, looking at Liverpool in terms of the title race,
00:44let's just break down when they can realistically lift the Premier League title.
00:48Obviously, Arsenal are still there, but their focus is probably most definitely
00:53going to be on the Champions League now with that huge game
00:57against Real Madrid.
00:59Liverpool, though, they are cruising towards an incredible title win.
01:03First, they just look at when they might realistically do it
01:07and just break down the fixtures, maybe.
01:09And then also just summarise how it's a great achievement
01:13to come in to any side and win the league in your first season.
01:16Arnie Schlott's got to really take that on board.
01:18Yeah, I'm sure a lot of fans are looking at the fixtures, aren't they,
01:23and thinking, well, I want to be free that date.
01:27Arsenal, of course, they've got Real Madrid in the Champions League,
01:32two big games.
01:33Arsenal have never won the Champions League.
01:36Does Mikel Arteta look at it now and think,
01:38let's just go for Europe rather than the league, we're too far away.
01:42And obviously injuries are starting to take a toll as well on Arsenal, aren't they?
01:48And then Arsenal could maybe visit the next week, I think it is,
01:51and Liverpool might potentially have to give Liverpool a guard of honour around Anfields.
01:56Maybe that Arsenal game might be the game where Liverpool do seal the title
02:00if they do drop points.
02:02And in terms of the achievement, yeah,
02:05I'd like to know how many people actually tip Liverpool for the title
02:09at the start of the season, there's so much uncertainty
02:14with Jürgen Klopp leaving the club.
02:16He was a real figurehead from top to bottom,
02:20transformed the entire club during his tenure in Arna Slott.
02:24It was relatively unheralded.
02:27It was a risk coming from Holland.
02:30You know, I think a lot was made about Dutch managers in the Premier League
02:34who haven't done too good.
02:35Herb ten Haag was one whose Ajax team,
02:38reached the Champions League semi-final.
02:40Louis van Gaal didn't do too much at Man Utd.
02:43And obviously before that, maybe the likes of Gus Hiddink, Chelsea.
02:49But he's gone about his business slowly,
02:52didn't bring any players in by Federico Chiesa
02:55because he was happy with the squad.
02:59Yeah, just obviously you mentioned it there,
03:01that they sort of started the season unbelievably well.
03:04Do you feel there was any standout moments or standout periods?
03:07Obviously there was that sort of time, you know,
03:10late October, early November,
03:12where they beat, you know, German champions, Leverkusen.
03:15They beat Real Madrid.
03:16They beat Manchester City at home.
03:19You know, Arsenal away.
03:20They go and get that draw.
03:21Do you feel there was that sort of period that built confidence?
03:25Obviously the Champions League didn't go quite to plan in the end.
03:28But, you know, beating those champions in, you know,
03:31the space of a couple of weeks was such good for Arna Slott's side
03:34in terms of building confidence.
03:37Well, that was the period because there were a lot of people outside of Mays
03:42saying, well, Liverpool haven't played anyone yet
03:45when they were top of the league.
03:47And that run, as you say,
03:48I think it was just after the international break.
03:51Played Chelsea at home.
03:52We beat them, as you say.
03:53Went to Arsenal.
03:53Got a point.
03:54In the same week, they beat Real Madrid and Manchester City at Anfield.
03:59Beat by Labour Kuzn and Gaston Villa.
04:01They beat RB Leipzig.
04:04You can't get much of a tougher run than that.
04:08And Liverpool look comfortable for the most part.
04:11First half against Arsenal.
04:13They were probably second best.
04:15But otherwise in that run, I'm struggling to think where you thought
04:18you had any doubts about them.
04:19At that point, Frank Gravenberg was probably one of the best midfielders in Europe.
04:26He was unbelievable.
04:27Mo Salah, obviously, racking up the numbers.
04:30The front three were firing.
04:33The Newcastle Carabao Cup final will frustrate a little bit.
04:38But if Pergol win the title, then that's what people remember this season,
04:41without a doubt.
Comments