Arne Slot issues Premier League title warning to Liverpool players

Arne Slot will make it clear to his Liverpool players that failing to bring the Premier League title back to Anfield will leave them haunted forever.

The Reds return from the international break with a commanding 12-point lead at the top of the table and just nine games remaining in the season.

However, recent setbacks have shaken their momentum. Liverpool suffered a shock defeat to Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final, just days after being eliminated from the Champions League on penalties by Paris Saint-Germain at Anfield.

Slot understands that surrendering their advantage in the title race would be nothing short of agonising.

Yet, despite the pressure, he remains steadfast in his football philosophy – believing that attack is always the best form of defence.

“I know how it works,” said the Dutchman in a new book about the journey that has brought him to Merseyside. “If you don’t pick up trophies as a manager or as a player, it can haunt you for decades.

“Of course, I want to win as many games as possible – but I also want to stay in the memory of people. That is a trophy in itself, in my opinion.

“I love it when people describe me as the coach who is always thinking in an attacking style. As long as you keep attacking, you improve the chances that you will come out as a winner.”

Arsenal pose the biggest threat to Liverpool’s title hopes in Arne Slot’s first season at the club since taking over from Jurgen Klopp last summer.

Arne Slot replaced Jürgen Klopp as Liverpool’s manager last summer

The Premier League leaders will next face city rivals Everton in the Merseyside derby at Anfield on April 2.

Slot guided Feyenoord to the Eredivisie title in 2023, implementing a philosophy built on fluid movement – an approach that Liverpool have now embraced under his leadership.

The Dutchman has also expressed his admiration for Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola in the book Slotball.

Slot added: “I have no fear when I do my team-talks these days. I am fully confident that all my attacking ideas will work out. I have no room for fear or nerves. I make my decisions on the basis of logic and what I see.

“The only time I might feel a bit nervous is if Pep (Guardiola) was in the same room looking over my shoulder! I want my teams to play in such a dynamic way that we are really difficult for our opponents to analyse.”