An examination of Liverpool's secret to late magic under Arne Slot

Slot's men have scored late in all four league matches this season and are making a habit of turning potential dull draws into crucial late wins.
Burnley v Liverpool - Premier League
Burnley v Liverpool - Premier League | Stu Forster/GettyImages

Liverpool have a long and storied history with late winning goals, both in big crunch games and against a plucky underdog who are trying to steal a point.

Famous examples include a double dagger just a year apart against Newcastle where Robbie Fowler followed Stan Collymore's previous late winner in two big wins over the Magpies in the 90s.

Liverpool also have famous late wins in the Merseyside Derby, ahead of the next installment this weekend.

Alongside Divock Origi's crazy late header, Gary McAllister and Sadio Mane have also won against the old enemy with a late goal.

Big 6 Magic

Late winners against the 'Big 6" have also been common. Neil Mellor and Dominik Szoboszlai have late strikes against Arsenal, Dirk Kuyt famously lifted over Barthez to beat Manchester United and our beloved Diogo Jota had his finest hour when he ended a stunning Spurs comeback with a 95th minute winner.

Even the most unlikely heroes have emerged with late winners. Ragnar Klavan had his finest hour when he notched a late winner against Burnley.

Ragnar Klavan
Burnley v Liverpool - Premier League | Nigel Roddis/GettyImages

Fabio Carvalho spun on the volley to break Newcastle hearts and even Alisson Becker has his own historic late winner, heading home in a crucial victory over West Brom.

This season Liverpool have broken a late goals record as they became the first team in Premier League history to win four games in a row with a goal in the final 10 minutes.

Federico Chiesa volleyed home in the 88th minute on the opening day, Rio Ngumoha defied his tender age to win in the 100th minute at Newcastle, Dom Szoboszlai hit the most perfect of free-kicks in the 84th minute against Arsenal and Mohamed Salah smashed home a deadlock breaking penalty in the 95th minute against Burnley.

What is Slot's secret for late success?

Fitness - Liverpool have one of the fittest squads in the league, both at avoiding injures and being able to go the distance in games.

Mo Salah has energy of a man 15 years his junior and Szoboszlai is one of the longest runners in the game.

Dominik Szoboszlai
Burnley v Liverpool - Premier League | Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/GettyImages

It's perhaps no surprise that both of them have been involved in late winners already this season, Salah with two goals and his Hungarian teammate with a late winner and a delightful dummy to set up another.

The Squad - Liverpool have had an excellent summer window and have improved the squad in all areas. This allows big impact players to come off the bench to effect games late on.

However few may have thought forgotten man Fede Chiesa and 16-year old Rio Ngumoha would become effective tools off the bench this season.

Chiesa looked set to leave the club in the summer before coming on late in the day against Bournemouth and volleying his winner on Matchday 1.

Rio Ngumoha
Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League | George Wood/GettyImages

Ngumoha had an exceptional pre-season but still seemed destined for cameos after healthy leads, whilst he continues to grow and improve.

Cut to his famous cameo at Newcastle where he was chucked on to win a game despite a very hostile away atmosphere.

The composure he would show in the final seconds to slam home a finish was one that will be lauded over for the rest of his very long career.

Whatever the secret and no matter the hope for more comfortable victories to come... We will always hope for more late magic from Arne Slot as his Premier League champions.