Liverpool's start to 2024/25 season compared to final campaign under Jurgen Klopp
Liverpool fans have been left pretty enamored with Arne Slot’s start at Anfield – and there are signs that he is building upon what Jurgen Klopp left behind for him.
The Dutchman has made the perfect start to life on Merseyside, with three wins out of three to open the new Premier League season. Following victories over Ipswich and Brentford, Slot saved his best for the last game before the international break as the Reds eased past Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Having been handed the hardest of acts to follow after Klopp’s departure in the summer, Slot has certainly stood up to the task so far. There is of course still a long way to go in the season, but sitting alongside Manchester City as one of only two sides with a perfect record certainly stands the new head coach in good stead.
Federico Chiesa gives Liverpool huge injury worry and he's not the only first team star
Jarell Quansah response to brutal Arne Slot hook speaks volumes about his attitude
And Slot can take even more encouragement when he looks back at last season, and sees how his side has improved. Compared to Klopp’s final season in charge, which saw the Reds start with a draw at Chelsea before wins over Bournemouth and Newcastle, the Reds already have a two-point headstart.
What’s more, Liverpool has scored one more goal compared to the same stage last season, but perhaps the biggest improvement has come in their defensive numbers.
The Reds conceded in each of their opening three games last season, whereas under Slot, they’ve kept a clean sheet in all of their outings. In fact, it’s taken the new head coach just three games to reach the mark that took Klopp’s final side 10 league games.
Liverpool has also improved on its discipline under Slot – the Reds were shown two red cards and six yellows during their opening three games last season, albeit Alexis Mac Allister’s dismissal against Bournemouth was overturned on appeal. This season, just four yellow cards have been shown to Liverpool’s players.
Perhaps most crucially, Liverpool has done something already this season that Klopp was unable to do at any point in his final term – beat Manchester United.
Liverpool.com says: It’s certainly an encouraging start for Slot, and he can be very pleased with the way in which his players have responded following the departure of Klopp. Bigger test will of course be on the way – you could argue that last season’s start was trickier with trips to Chelsea and Newcastle, but the early signs are promising.