Liverpool are stepping up to defend their Premier League crown as Arne Slot begins his first full campaign in charge at Anfield. To get more insight on the Reds’ prospects, we spoke to Will Rooney of LiverpoolWorld. There’s a feeling that the squad is united, the football is progressive, and the hunger is still there after winning the title.
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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