When Arne Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager in June 2024, it didn't seem like he would be an instant success.
Klopp, who won eight trophies in nine seasons with Liverpool, is one of the more successful managers in the club's history. The Reds also underperformed during the 2023-24 season, winning only one trophy: the Carabao Cup.
Despite the challenges, Slot shattered expectations in his first season as Liverpool manager.
Liverpool (25-7-2) beat Tottenham Hotspur (11-4-19) 5-1 in its home match on Sunday, securing its second Premier League title since the league's inception in 1992.
Slot is now just the fifth manager in EPL history to win a title in his first season, joining Jose Mourinho (Chelsea, 2004-05), Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea, 2009-10), Manuel Pellegrini (Manchester City, 2013-14) and Antonio Conte (Chelsea, 2016-17).
Arne Slot joins an elite club. ☝️ pic.twitter.com/wBY4C5akWj
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 27, 2025
After the match, Slot saluted Klopp. He started chanting the former manager's last name to the tune of Opus' 1984 track, "Live is Life."
Touch of class.
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) April 27, 2025
Arne Slot repays Jurgen Klopp's welcome chant, starting a rendition of his own!#beINPL #LFC pic.twitter.com/UMiREUqud9
He remained humble postgame, crediting his players and his staff for an incredible season.
"[The players] always find a way to win. [I'm] incredibly proud, not only of the players, but the people standing here — sport directors, my staff members — we should give them a big round of applause," Slot said, via ESPN. "Let's forget it's the second [title] in 35 years and the second in five years."
With the team's core returning, Slot and Co. could capture more titles. In April, Liverpool re-signed forward Mohamed Salah and defender Virgil van Dijk to two-year deals. Salah has 28 goals through 34 matches this season, while Van Dijk has 2,656 passes through his first 34 matches.
The fan base should always hold Klopp in high regard after he ended the club's 30-year title drought during the 2019-20 season. However, Slot already looks like a worthy successor.
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