Liverpool's first half of the season really could not have gone any better. Top of the Premier League, top of the Champions League group stage, and through to the semi-finals of the Carabao Cup, it has been dream stuff for Arne Slot, his players and the club's supporters.

It should not be forgotten the healthy state Jurgen Klopp left the Reds in after his departure at the end of the 2023-24 campaign. But few would have expected new head coach Slot to have built on the strong foundations left by the German so spectacularly.

It means - very much like at this stage last season - Liverpool are bang in the running for the four trophies they remain capable of winning. The big difference compared to 12 months ago, of course, is that the Reds are now clear in front in the Premier League title race.

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But while no-one of a Reds persuasion is believing the championship is already in the bag, just what can we expect in the second half of the campaign from Slot's in-form side?

Paul Gorst - Dream double might be asking too much

As Liverpool head into 2025 as Premier League title favourites and leaders of the revamped 32-team Champions League table, is it too much to dream up a major double in Arne Slot's first season? That might be asking a little bit too much given how infrequently it is achieved but the main focus has to be domestic matters now, with the Reds so well placed in the pursuit of league title No.20.

In many ways, supporters had the opportunity to truly celebrate a 30-year wait for the championship taken away from them five years ago, so the scenes around the city will be like never seen before if Slot's men can hold their nerve in the second half of the campaign.

Injuries have the ability to slow up the progress and the FA Cup, for me, has to become collateral damage. An exit will not be mourned, even if it surely won't come via a third-round shock to Accrington later this month. A quiet loss against a fellow Premier League side in round four would be no real setback in the grander scheme. Apologies to Cup enthusiasts...

Most of the eggs now need to go in the Premier League basket. A strong run in the Champions League will be exciting and give supporters something to get behind but there is a title to be won here first and foremost. And given how tough it has been for the Reds to lift the crown over the last three decades and beyond, they may not have a chance as good as this one now under Slot.

Hannah Pinnock - Title charge on but key stars must stay fit

There is no denying that Liverpool have had an outstanding season so far. Slot has exceeded all expectations as the Reds fly high at the top of the Premier League and the Champions League.

However, I always err on the side of caution and I think we all know how quickly things can fall apart. That being said, given how good performance levels have been, it seems only an unprecedented injury crisis could derail Liverpool’s season now.

Provided Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah can stay fit for the remainder of the campaign, it’s difficult to see anybody catching Liverpool in the title race. The Reds will drop points between now and May, that is a given. But, their rivals have failed to capitalise when they have so far and none of them seem capable of putting together a consistent run needed to close the gap.

I’m confident Liverpool will have the better of Tottenham Hotspur over two legs in the Carabao Cup semi-finals, but a possible final against Arsenal or Newcastle United would be extremely tough. Maybe more so than Chelsea in recent years. Not impossible, but nowhere near predictable.

Liverpool have all but qualified for the knockout rounds of the Champions League and will be among the favourites. That being said, this new format could result in the Reds being drawn against someone like Real Madrid, Manchester City, PSG or Atletico Madrid in the round of 16 due to where they finish in the league phase, which could make it a tall order.

Stephen Killen - Domestic cups worth sacrificing for greater good

As seamless as this transition has been, there are fears that Liverpool have yet to taste the real trials and tribulations of the Premier League rollercoaster.

There have been injuries in the Reds ranks, let's not be mistaken, but have Arne Slot's side experienced a genuine downturn in form yet? You could argue that a dip will happen eventually. Not even Mystic Meg will be able to predict when and the vultures gunning for the Reds will be waiting.

Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Co have the opportunity to really cement themselves in the Premier League greats conversation, not least in the eyes of those who argue against it. The Reds are already in a great position in the Champions League and there is an extra sense of redemption after the previous disappointment in Paris. Avoiding the play-off for the knockout stages could be the difference-maker for Liverpool.

The FA Cup does suffer in terms of importance when considering the bigger picture. Waving the white flag in the eyes of the League Cup defence and let Tottenham have a chance to end their trophy drought, may even be an option to keep the priorities in check.

With a thin squad, there is already little opportunity for rotation within the next five months. Liverpool have at least 180 minutes to come in the two-legged semi-final, but also the likelihood of extra-time in the final should they get there. Looking back to 2022, those two cup outings at Wembley may have been three to five games too far for that team when it ran out of steam against Real Madrid.

Liverpool are in a great position to win the Premier League but being at the top at the turn of the year has proved to be frivolous - even for the Reds, in years gone by. Manchester City seem to be out of the equation for once, penny for the thoughts of Jurgen Klopp, Arsenal have tasted similar disappointment at the hands of Pep Guardiola's side and will be hoping to make up ground on Liverpool to end their own 20-year wait.

Slot will not want to look back on his debut season in charge and think: 'What if?' There may be no better opportunity for Liverpool than the 2024/25 season.