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Arne Slot admits Liverpool fans don't want repeat of Jurgen Klopp failed season

-Credit: (Image: 2022 Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)
-Credit: (Image: 2022 Chris Brunskill/Fantasista)


Arne Slot is not getting carried away by Liverpool's excellent start to the season, admitting that it will be a challenge to juggle competing in both the Premier League and the Champions League.

The Reds have won seven of their first eight matches in all competitions and now sit top of the Premier League after Saturday's win over Wolves at Molineux.

Liverpool's form has led suggestions from some that Slot could challenge for the title in his first season in charge at Anfield, which would be a remarkable feat given many expected this season to be a transitional one for the Reds under their new manager following the departure of Jurgen Klopp.

Klopp spent nine years at Liverpool and was the club's most successful manager of the Premier League era, winning the competition in 2020 and overseeing a number of title challenges.

Liverpool took the title race down to the final day of the season in 2022 and also reached the Champions League final, but the Reds suffered a mental hangover in the following campaign as they finished fifth in the league and lost 6-2 to Real Madrid in the last 16 of the Champions League.

Slot referenced that disappointing season as he moved to temper expectations after Liverpool's brilliant start to this season. "I try to be realistic," Slot told Sky Sports. "Jurgen's work has been incredible over here. Everybody knows this and everybody underlines this, but two years ago was the last time they played in the Champions League and I think they ended up finishing fifth.

"Last season, without playing Europe (although Liverpool did compete in the Europa League), the players that played at the weekend had some rest. Now we have to prove, similar season like two years ago, that we can do it in the Premier League and the Champions League and that's something that, in my opinion, we have to prove with almost the same players as two years ago, which was not the result that Liverpool's supporters would love to see."

Liverpool resumes its Champions League campaign this week as Bologna vists Anfield before the Reds sign off for the October international break with a Premier League match away to Crystal Palace next Saturday.