Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed deep pride after securing a record-equalling 20th English league title with a resounding 5–1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Sunday.
Slot’s side clinched their first Premier League crown since 2020 with four matches remaining, completing a triumphant debut season in England for the Dutch coach, who had joined from Feyenoord to succeed Jurgen Klopp.
With only two losses from 34 league fixtures, Liverpool matched Manchester United’s record as the most decorated club in English top-flight history. The Reds dismantled Tottenham in front of a jubilant home crowd, as goals from Luis Diaz, Alexis Mac Allister, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah, along with an own goal by Destiny Udogie, ignited celebrations across Merseyside.
Slot, speaking at full-time, said: “It was clear we couldn’t lose this game. Everyone on the bus said there’s no way we’re going to lose this game. They always find a way to win.”
Slot described the atmosphere at Anfield as overwhelming, and acknowledged the significance of clinching the title on home turf. “It is difficult to put into words. The scenes here and before the game tells you more than I can describe,” he said. “The fans being here is what makes it special. Five years ago they won the league. It was an amazing accomplishment, but the fans weren’t there. So you can feel how important it was for them to be here today.”
The Liverpool boss admitted he had not panicked when Dominic Solanke handed Tottenham an early lead. Slot stated: “It wasn’t ideal but it didn’t take me a long time to trust these players, they always come back, they always find a way to win.”
Slot credited the collective effort behind the club’s success and emphasised his gratitude to the wider staff. “Incredibly proud, not only of the players but the people standing here, sport directors, my staff members, we should give them a big round of applause,” he remarked. “Let’s forget it’s the second in 35 years, it’s the second in five years.”
Liverpool had pulled away from rivals Arsenal and Manchester City with a relentless run of results. Slot disrupted City’s four-year grip on the title and became the first Dutch manager to win the Premier League, joining an elite group as only the fifth boss to secure the title in his first season in England.
Asked about the secret to his apparent ease in achieving the title, Slot responded modestly: “That’s not only my job, it’s the job of the players and the staff members standing over there and the work Jurgen left behind over here.”
He praised the foundations laid by Klopp and underlined the club’s resilience. “The culture of the team, the work rate, the quality was outstanding. We all knew that. We started off really well and it maybe helped a bit that City had a difficult spell, which they hadn’t had in five years.”
Slot revealed that he had always believed Liverpool could reclaim the crown despite Manchester City’s dominance in recent years and his own team’s third-place finish the previous season.
The 46-year-old remained composed in his celebrations, as promised, although he did entertain supporters with a short dance in front of the Kop. “When the season started everyone would have been happy if we were in the Champions League places again,” he admitted. “I don’t think that was fair to our players because they are much better than that and that’s what they have showed this season.”
