00:00Now Liverpool are stepping up to defend their Premier League crown as Arne Schlott begins his title defence after an incredible debut year building on last season's title success.
00:14The Dutchman now faces the challenges of keeping his side at the summit while rivals strengthen around them.
00:22Schlott has looked to refine his squad rather than overhaul it with the emphasis on adding balance and depth to complement a call that already boasts proven winners.
00:33Recruitment has been targeted ensuring Liverpool have options across the pitch to handle both domestic and European demands.
00:41The confidence among supporters is clear. Last season's triumph has reignited belief that Liverpool can re-establish a sustained era of success while Schlott's tactical clarity and emphasis on attacking football have only deepened the connection with the fan base.
00:59To get more insight on the Reds' prospects, we spoke to Will Rooney of Liverpool World.
01:05There's a feeling that the squad is united, the football is progressive and the hunger is still there after winning the title.
01:15Yeah, I mean, I think it's important that we do mention the boss Arne Schlott obviously come in.
01:20He won that Premier League title in his debut year.
01:22How excited are you for his second season, a season where, you know, you're going to mention there a bit of development through this team?
01:30And I mean, if you look at the squad, it's a pretty incredible squad to go and defend a title with.
01:36How do you see it playing out? Where do you see his priorities lying?
01:39And who do you even see maybe developing the most over him?
01:42Obviously, Florian Wirtz has said he's really sort of happy with the freedom that Schlott's going to be sort of giving him as well.
01:50So it's very interesting going into this new campaign.
01:53Yeah, it is. Yeah.
01:54And I think what Arne Schlott did in his first year surprised a lot of people.
02:00There's no doubt about that winning the title in the manner they did, how good Liverpool were for six, seven months.
02:06Maybe they did tail off a little bit at the end.
02:08But that was probably just a lack of squad depth from Schlott not fully trusting everyone in his squad.
02:15Probably players got a little bit tired, but he made a real market impression in his first year.
02:22And it's interesting because in his second season at Firenose, when he was in charge there, he had a real squad overhaul.
02:29Firenose went and won the title that season, so it can be done.
02:33And, you know, we've seen him develop players already, like, you know, putting Ryan Gravenberg in number six,
02:40which has been really, really shrewd, how he's maximised Mo Salah's potential in terms of goal scoring.
02:48What else is next from Arne Schlott?
02:51How does he, as we've just been discussing, how does he get that mix of an attack and force and being solid defensively?
02:59How does he change the wing-back system?
03:03You know, Trent Alexander-Arnold played completely differently to Jeremy Fringpong, Connor Bradley.
03:09So how will Liverpool adapt to that?
03:12How will he play having a proper striker in, like a TK, maybe Alexander-Izac, rather than a false nine?
03:20A lot of things that Liverpool fans will be excited for.
03:23I mean, the players you look at, maybe, who can he develop now, who can really push on in terms of the squad?
03:29Obviously, new signs like TK, Fringpong, how does he go to the next level?
03:34Milos Kierkez as well, who has a really good season at Bournemouth.
03:38And then how does he maybe develop some of the younger players who are coming through?
03:42I mean, Rio Engamawa has been a sensation during pre-season, 16 years old.
03:47He's favoured to Alan Pechenosa.
03:50So, look, they're all good dilemmas that there's lots to have in terms of the squads.
03:54But, yeah, I think fans are really looking forward to seeing what he can deliver.
03:59Because Liverpool haven't defended a title, I think, since 1984, it will be.
04:07They've obviously won titles after that, but never defended it.
04:10And the last time they defended the title in 2020-21 was really disappointing.
04:16So, Slot can, look, he's already on a banner in the coffer, that's all the famous managers.
04:24He's been added to it now, Alan Slot.
04:27Some fans maybe think it's a little bit early to have done that after one year.
04:33But if he went and won the title or a Champions League in the second season,
04:37I don't think anyone's had any qualms that he'd be deserving to be adorning that banner.
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