EPL Review: What does Liverpool need to become champions?

Liverpool's title hopes grow as Arne Slot excels, with solid performances from key players like Gravenberch and Salah, but injury risks loom.

Liverpool's Slot machine marches on but, what must they do to achieve the title at the end of the season? Photo credit: GOAL)

When many of us were thinking about the title race for the 2024/2025 season, we had Arsenal and Manchester City as the front runners. It was the right thing to do, as both were at each other’s necks for the past two seasons with no one else coming close to them.

With Jurgen Klopp's departure, few anticipated Arne Slot to take over and excel immediately; it's true he inherited a winning squad, but we can't undervalue him; he has earned the right to be respected, and he's the clear favourite to improve things.

We didn’t see the collapse of the champions coming; it’s a huge shock, and we won’t stress too much about a team that is fourteen points behind the log leaders; you can make that seventeen if Liverpool wins their game in hand.

What can Liverpool do to maintain their momentum? They currently have everything working, from Alison in goal doing outstanding work, and, when the Brazilian is unavailable, Caoimhín Kelleher proved to be a worthy deputy as the Reds only dropped points in one game while Alison was away.

Liverpool hasn't felt the impact of Ibrahim Konate's early November injury. Joe Gomez stepped in, and Jarrel Quansah played his parts when called on too; however, Liverpool needs to get a central defender in the current window.

Connor Bradley is a competent cover at right back while Kostas Tsimikas can deliver when Andy Robertson is unavailable. Of course, the contract situation with Trent Alexander-Arnold is something to worry about, but in the immediate, they will be fine.

Undoubtedly, Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation for the Kops this season. Ryan Gravenberch has been a revelation this season for the Kops; he’s up there with Mohammed Salah and Virgil Van Dijk as their best players, but Liverpool needs another body in midfield; they could suffer badly if the Dutchman picks up an injury.

Darwin Nunez, a Uruguayan, is a player Liverpool can loan out and still be fine. The Federico Chiesa thing hasn’t worked out, and we’re hearing the Italian’s contract could be terminated; Liverpool will be fine regardless.

For Liverpool to be champions, they just need to match their first half of the season performance and shouldn’t have a problem lifting the title by May; however, they would hope to be lucky with injuries, as one to Mo Salah, Van Dijk, or Gravenberch could derail them. They must sort out contract talks too.