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Michael Owen outlines what success would be for Liverpool during first year of Arne Slot's reign

Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has asserted what would represent success for Arne Slot in the first year of his time as Reds boss
-Credit: (Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)


Former Liverpool star Michael Owen has ruled out the Reds as Premier League title contenders - but asserted that a top three finish and a cup triumph would represent a "fantastic" showing for Arne Slot in his first season as head coach.

The Dutchman has made a strong start to life on Merseyside, having masterminded four wins from his first five outings as boss after replacing Jurgen Klopp in the hotseat. Aside from a home loss against Nottingham Forest, victories over Ipswich, Brentford, Manchester United, Bournemouth and Wolves have put his team top of the league.

Moreover, wins in both the Champions League against AC Milan and the League Cup against West Ham have contributed to the feel-good factor on the Kop at this early point in the campaign. Now, ex-Reds icon Owen has given his verdict on what would amount to a successful term for Liverpool during Slot's maiden year in England.

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The retired England international forward offered some insight into what the targets may well be within the team's locker room as he weighed up his former club's chance of winning silverware. Speaking to Liverpool.com via AceOdds, he said: "Well, if you ask the players, the fans, the manager, obviously success will be winning something.

"I think in the cold light of day before the season started, if you said to Liverpool fans, Slot going to come in and he's going to have a fantastic season and Liverpool are going to finish third and only three points behind City and Arsenal and they'll pick up an FA Cup or whatever, then you think, wow, right, I'd snap your hand off with that."

Ruling out the Reds for the two top prizes this term, he said: "Okay we're not winning the Premier League or the Champions League, but after all that Jurgen Klopp did, if you're promising us a continuation of success there in terms of going head-to-head with a couple of good teams and okay, maybe just finishing it there."

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has made an impressive start to life as Reds boss
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has made an impressive start to life as Reds boss -Credit:John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images

Ultimately, Owen is convinced that supporters will mostly want to see progress over the course of the season alongside evidence that the team is emerging positively from the end of the Klopp era. I think people would inevitably be very nervous thinking ‘right is all the good work going to be undone and we're going to be back to not having a chance of winning anything again?’

"I think a season of Liverpool showing that they're still an absolute elite team, most Liverpool fans would snap their hands off, he continued. "Obviously, the dreamers wouldn't take anything other than a Premier League win but that's obviously fine. Everyone wants that.

"But if you said before the season started, that maybe an FA Cup victory and Liverpool pushing Arsenal and City all the way and only finishing a couple of points behind, I would think most people would think I can live with that, because that's exciting for the future with all the turnaround at the club."

Owen added: "There's a continuation of success there and I'll buy into that. I think that would be before the season, that's what people would have settled for."