When Liverpool faced the daunting task of replacing one of the most revered managers in football history, few could have predicted that his successor would take on the challenge with such authority and success.

Jurgen Klopp, worshipped by fans worldwide for his views on football, life, and beyond, left behind a legacy that seemed almost impossible to match. His players adored him, and under his leadership, Liverpool scaled incredible heights.

Yet, in less than a year, Arne Slot has etched his name into Liverpool folklore. Despite having no coaching experience outside the Netherlands and a playing career few would remember, Slot guided Liverpool to a Premier League title in dominant fashion.

In doing so, he became only the fourth manager to lift the trophy in his first season in England’s top flight, a feat that eluded even Pep Guardiola, Arsene Wenger, and Klopp himself.

Slot achieved this remarkable success by refining rather than rebuilding. Liverpool’s familiar 4-3-3 shape remains, but subtle adjustments have made all the difference. The wide forwards now operate more narrowly, allowing Mohamed Salah to spend more time in central attacking areas, leading to one of his most prolific seasons ever.

In possession, Liverpool have adopted a more patient, methodical style, circulating the ball around the penalty area until openings appear. This controlled approach has made Liverpool the highest-scoring team in the league by a significant margin.

Defensively, Slot’s influence is equally clear. Liverpool have shaken off their old habit of conceding first, with Trent Alexander-Arnold returning to his role as an overlapping full-back rather than stepping into midfield.

The consistent fitness of Ibrahima Konate has also helped stabilize the defense, while Virgil van Dijk, who has committed to two more years at Anfield, delivered arguably his best season yet. Dutch compatriots Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo have shown noticeable improvement, further underlining the positive impact of Slot’s leadership.

While some might suggest Liverpool’s title win was aided by rivals’ shortcomings, the numbers tell a different story. Liverpool effectively secured the title after a decisive win against Manchester City in December, pulling well ahead of both City and Arsenal.

Injuries may have plagued their competitors, but Liverpool’s dominance was evident long before. They managed matches expertly, maintaining fitness levels and minimizing risks, often turning games into training-ground-like possession exercises.

Statistically, Liverpool have outclassed their rivals, boasting the highest expected goals for and the fewest expected goals against. They have maintained an exceptional points-per-game average while losing just twice all season.

Claims that the Premier League’s quality has dipped are unfounded; Liverpool’s consistency in a division filled with Champions League-level talent speaks volumes.

Looking ahead, Slot’s Liverpool have an opportunity to build a dynasty. Their 20th league title places them alongside Manchester United in English football’s history books, but Liverpool’s European pedigree still sets them apart.

With a deep, talented squad and the right additions, Liverpool could be set to dominate both domestically and in Europe. Slot’s calm, composed style contrasts beautifully with the passion of Liverpool’s fans, and if this first season is any indication, it could be the beginning of a new golden era at Anfield.

Mikel Arteta has provided an important fitness update on Mikel Merino ahead of Arsenal’s Champions League semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain. Although Liverpool has already secured the Premier League title, Arsenal remains in the hunt for European glory, just three games away from potentially lifting the prestigious trophy.

Their journey continues on Tuesday night when they host PSG at the Emirates Stadium for the first leg of the semi-final.

Throughout the season, Arteta has faced numerous injury challenges, particularly in the forward positions. Key players like Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have spent significant time on the sidelines, forcing the manager to find creative solutions.

One of those adjustments was deploying Mikel Merino, typically a midfielder, in a more advanced role. This tactical tweak paid off during the quarter-final matchup against Real Madrid, where Merino scored during Arsenal’s commanding 3-0 victory at home.

However, Arsenal supporters grew concerned when Merino was absent from the recent 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace. Arteta revealed that both Merino and Ben White had picked up injuries prior to that match, causing a fresh wave of uncertainty heading into the semi-final.

Fortunately, there was some relief when images surfaced of Merino participating in training on Monday, suggesting he could be available for selection. Still, Arteta admitted during his pre-match press conference that it remains unclear whether Merino will be fit enough to start against PSG.

Adding to the squad’s complications, Thomas Partey will miss the crucial encounter due to suspension, a significant blow to the midfield’s stability. With Partey sidelined, Merino might be required to return to his natural midfield position, especially considering the excellent form of Leandro Trossard, who has netted four goals in his last four Premier League appearances.

Arteta, addressing the media, explained, “We lost Thomas unfortunately very late in the game against Real Madrid. Ben and Mikel were able to train. Let’s see if they are able to start tomorrow. Ricci [Riccardo Calafiori] is still not fit.” His comments have left fans anxiously awaiting the official team news as Arsenal prepares for one of their biggest matches in recent history.

Arsenal has never lifted the Champions League trophy and has only once reached the final, back in 2006 when they fell short against Barcelona. Now, with the club among the final four in Europe, Arteta is eager to seize the opportunity and create a new chapter in Arsenal’s storied history.

He added, “With the circumstances this season and how we have overcome a lot of issues and challenges to be one of the best four teams in Europe, it’s a beautiful story right now but we want more.”

As the Emirates prepares for an electric night under the lights, the Gunners know that a strong performance against PSG could bring them one step closer to fulfilling a long-standing dream. Whether Merino will be fit enough to contribute from the start remains to be seen, but Arsenal fans will be hoping for every possible advantage as the semi-final showdown approaches.

Manchester United are preparing for a significant boost as Amad and Matthijs de Ligt are expected to return from injury this week. Both players are being targeted for a comeback appearance against Brentford on Sunday afternoon in the Premier League.

Amad, who suffered a severe ankle injury back in February, initially seemed destined to miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery. However, the 22-year-old Ivorian has made an extraordinary recovery and is now poised to rejoin first-team training ahead of United’s critical Europa League encounter against Athletic Club on Thursday.

Matthijs de Ligt, 25, has also completed his rehabilitation from a foot injury that sidelined him for the past seven matches. The Dutch defender had become a key figure in Ruben Amorim’s defensive setup before his unfortunate setback.

His return, alongside Amad’s, comes at a crucial moment for Manchester United, who have struggled with form in recent months. The team’s performances have suffered notably during their absence, making the timing of their recovery all the more vital.

Reports from the Manchester Evening News suggest that United view the upcoming Brentford match as a valuable opportunity to ease both Amad and De Ligt back into competitive action.

Although the Europa League trip to Bilbao this week will likely come too soon for them, there is optimism that they could feature in the second leg of the semi-final at Old Trafford the following Thursday.

The importance of the Europa League has grown considerably for United in recent weeks, with the competition representing the club’s last realistic chance at silverware this season. The final is set to be staged at Athletic Club’s home ground, the Estadio de San Mamés, raising the stakes even higher for this semi-final showdown.

To reach the final, United must first overcome a strong Athletic Club side that currently sits fourth in La Liga after an impressive domestic campaign. Success would set up a clash against either Tottenham Hotspur or Norway’s Bodo/Glimt, who meet in the other semi-final.

United’s recent performances have left much to be desired, and Ruben Amorim will be counting on the reintegration of Amad and De Ligt to spark a turnaround. Both players had impressed under the Portuguese manager’s guidance before their injuries, offering hope that their return could provide the necessary spark to reignite United’s season.

In addition to Amad and De Ligt, there is further positive news on the injury front. Young midfielder Toby Collyer could also make his comeback this week after dealing with a minor issue sustained three weeks ago.

His return would offer the team added depth and energy in the midfield, an area where United have been noticeably thin recently.

The coming week will be pivotal for Manchester United as they look to salvage their season. The return of key players could not have come at a better time, with critical fixtures on the horizon and the chance to still finish the campaign on a high note.