Paul Joyce: Arne Slot Should Have ‘No Fear’ in Liverpool’s Premier League Title Pursuit | OneFootball

Arne Slot’s Feyenoord Success Sets the Stage for Liverpool’s Title Aspirations

In a fascinating look at Liverpool’s season, Paul Joyce of The Times reveals insights in an interview with Anfield Index, exploring how Arne Slot’s Feyenoord title-winning journey could hold lessons for Liverpool. Slot, who led Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title last season, now faces the formidable task of guiding Liverpool through one of the most competitive Premier League seasons in recent years. With Manchester City and Arsenal setting the pace, Slot’s prior experience with underdogs could be pivotal for Liverpool’s aspirations.

Slot’s Experience with Feyenoord: Lessons in Consistency and Resilience

Slot’s triumph at Feyenoord in the 2022-23 season was built on consistency and resilience—qualities Liverpool must embody to seriously challenge for the Premier League title. According to Joyce, “The thinking stemmed from the parallels between where Liverpool are now and the season Feyenoord won the title in 2022-23.” In that season, Slot’s Feyenoord faced off against historically stronger teams like Ajax and PSV, much like Liverpool now battles City’s spending power and Arsenal’s revamped squad.

Joyce paints a vivid picture of Feyenoord’s journey to the top, highlighting their 5-1 victory over Excelsior which allowed them to leapfrog Ajax and PSV. From there, Feyenoord held their nerve, rarely slipping from the top spot. “It was two years ago yesterday that Feyenoord beat Excelsior 5-1 to move three points clear of Ajax and PSV at the top of the table before the two-month break for the World Cup,” Joyce notes. This unwavering grip on the lead could serve as a motivational blueprint for Liverpool as they strive to maintain consistency and compete against financially superior rivals.

Confidence from Experience: Slot’s Proven Mental Fortitude

While some might doubt Slot’s ability to deliver at Anfield, Joyce emphasises that Slot has navigated pressure-packed scenarios before. He elaborates, “I spoke to one of the journalists that covered Feyenoord at the time and it’s quite informative that Slot has been through this before.” Slot’s time at Feyenoord not only taught him tactical nous but also instilled a calmness under pressure—a quality crucial for Liverpool’s current campaign.

Photo: IMAGO

The parallels between Slot’s experiences at Feyenoord and Liverpool’s season aren’t limited to their title competition. Feyenoord’s intense mid-season break due to the World Cup mirrors the gruelling nature of the Premier League, which is prone to long stretches without pause and often presents relentless fixtures in December and January. Slot’s success under these challenging conditions at Feyenoord could prove invaluable as Liverpool face crucial fixtures. His resilience and adaptability will be key in steering Liverpool’s course, especially with multiple competitions on the horizon.

The Thirteen-Game Winning Streak: A Benchmark for Liverpool?

Slot’s Feyenoord went on a staggering 13-game winning streak in the second half of the season—an achievement that underscores the discipline, focus, and unity he instilled in his team. Liverpool fans will be intrigued by this feat, especially as Joyce points out, “There was a point in the second half of the season where they won thirteen games on the bounce.” This impressive run, achieved under the intense pressure of a title chase, speaks volumes about Slot’s ability to keep his players performing at their peak.

Photo: IMAGO

Liverpool has had their own memorable winning runs in the past, notably under Jürgen Klopp, but a similar level of consistency this season could be the difference between silverware and near-miss. Slot’s track record shows he can rally a squad to push through challenges, even when fatigue or form dips. For Liverpool, replicating such a run could transform their season, with Slot’s experience offering both guidance and belief that this is possible.

Slot’s Fearless Approach: What It Means for Liverpool’s Future

Ultimately, as Joyce summarises, “Whether he goes on to win the league at Liverpool or not, the point of the piece was to point out that he has nothing to fear and he can use that experience from Feyenoord.” This sentiment resonates deeply for Liverpool supporters who know that even the strongest Premier League challenges can be overcome with the right mentality and game plan. Slot’s confidence, drawn from his journey with Feyenoord, could be precisely what Liverpool needs to take the final steps towards a title.

The path won’t be easy. Liverpool must navigate fixture congestion, injury risks, and fierce competition, but Slot’s history of defying odds suggests he is more than capable of guiding Liverpool through these obstacles. Joyce’s article for The Times, in conjunction with insights from Anfield Index, reveals that Slot’s unwavering approach and belief could just be the spark Liverpool needs to rekindle their title-winning form.