Jamie Carragher has set out what he feels must be the ‘minimal expectation’ for Liverpool underneath Arne Slot this season.
The Dutchman has taken over as head coach tasked with the accountability of constructing upon the unimaginable legacy that Jurgen Klopp created when it comes to reworking the Reds from also-rans to winners of main trophies and near-annual challengers for silverware.
In his column for The Telegraph on Friday morning, the ex-LFC defender isn’t demanding that the 45-year-old win the Premier League or Champions League in his first 12 months in cost, however moderately that his crew keep a place whereby they firmly imagine that they may.
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Carragher wrote: “Considered one of Klopp’s best legacies is restoring Liverpool’s standing in order that they entered each competitors with a real perception they may win it. Slot’s job is to take care of that.
“Please don’t misunderstand my expectations, although. In a world wherein Manchester Metropolis and Actual Madrid dominate at house and in Europe, the times of suggesting first is every little thing and anything is a failure or ought to put a job on the road are gone.
“A season can evolve in several methods due to a variety of circumstances, whether or not by accidents or rival groups enhancing in order that qualifying for the Champions League is deemed successful. So be it.
“What I’m saying is the minimal expectation for Liverpool going into each opening Premier League sport is to focus on the most important honours, whether or not they’re favourites or not.”
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Solely probably the most optimistic of Liverpool followers would, at this juncture, anticipate Slot to be within the combine for the Premier League title on the finish of his first season in cost, but it surely’s not unrealistic to foretell that the Reds not less than keep their top-three standing and preserve Manchester Metropolis and Arsenal trustworthy going into the ultimate six weeks of the marketing campaign.
The 2 home cups are very winnable if we get beneficial attracts and a few good momentum, and the identical elements might additionally propel a crew to Champions League glory (as we all know from 2005 particularly), though Actual Madrid rightly begin as agency favourites to retain the trophy.
Over the previous 4 years, LFC have alternated between profitable/difficult for main silverware and struggling an alarming drop-off. Having taken the curve upward final season, the hope can be to keep away from one other massive droop, particularly with the brand new man in cost having loads to show as Klopp’s successor.
For Slot, the quick goal can be to get a number of early wins on the board with the intention to generate momentum and instil a confidence that his crew can finish the marketing campaign with tangible success, even when we don’t fairly handle to ascend the winners’ podium when the large prizes are handed out.
A near-perfect pre-season provides real confidence that the Dutchman may have a stable first season on the helm, providing a really perfect platform for what’ll hopefully be one other wonderful period at Anfield!
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