Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot is keeping his team grounded despite their five-point lead, reminding them of Manchester City’s past ability to chase down leaders. The Reds are currently leading the Premier League table, with Pep Guardiola’s City hot on their heels.
Despite a stellar start under new boss Slot, with only one defeat in 11 games, he recognises there’s still a long road ahead in the campaign. He recalls how Arsenal lost an eight-point lead with just 10 games left two seasons ago, and last year, Jurgen Klopp’s Reds saw a three-point advantage in April overtaken by City, who clinched their fourth consecutive title.
Therefore, Slot isn’t getting overly excited about their current lead as they prepare for Sunday’s match against Southampton. “We are all aware of the fact we are only 11 games into the season and will not get carried away,” he stated.
“It is not like this is the first time in Liverpool history we have been top of the league. I don’t think the owners will get carried away. I am for sure not getting carried away, and the players will not as well.”
Looking ahead, Liverpool face a challenging week. While City grapple with Tottenham on Saturday, the Reds are expected to add to Southampton’s woes. They then take on Real Madrid in the Champions League before hosting City at Anfield for a crucial showdown.
Liverpool are now tipped by bookies as the frontrunners for the title, while Opta’s supercomputer also backs them to lift the trophy come May. However, Slot remains focused on the immediate challenges.
He said: “I don’t talk about favourites. It is boring but I just talk about the next game which is a challenge in itself. I have said many times that in the Premier League the margins are very small. That is true all season.
“Last season I followed the league and there was a moment when City were eight points behind Arsenal (it was 2022-23) so there is no use in getting carried away at all at this moment in time. These teams like City, Arsenal and Chelsea and even [Manchester] United and all the others are able to put together a run of games like we did.
“So we are not getting carried away at all and looking at it like you just said in terms of favourites or whatever. The players know what they have to do to win a game, and it’s a lot. If they could give 50 percent less and still win, maybe we would think we have 50 percent extra in the tank and not need to give our maximum for results. But we know it has been a close call in many games.”