Newcastle wobble a reminder that Liverpool must retain concentration despite strong lead at the summit

As excited as Arne Slot must have felt to assume the position as Liverpool manager in June, he would have been under no illusions about the pressure he would face in his new role.

Slot had established himself as a promising manager at Feyenoord having guided the club to a first Dutch league title in six years, a KNVB Cup triumph one year later and to the 2022 Conference League final, but whether he could hold his own outside the Netherlands nonetheless remained an unknown ahead of this season.

Both he and Liverpool would have understood that managing one of England’s and Europe’s biggest clubs would prove a far greater challenge than any in his career to date. 

Rising to the Occasion

As it turns out, Slot is more capable of handling that challenge than anyone, even the most optimistic Liverpool supporter, could have envisioned.

Prior to Wednesday’s 3-3 draw at Newcastle, Slot’s side had established a commanding nine point lead at the top of the table after 13 matches. Their advantage over four-time defending champions Manchester City was even greater at 11 points after the Reds dispatched them with ease on Sunday. 

Not even when Liverpool stormed to the title in 2019/2020 had they been this far clear at that stage of the campaign. With 13 matches played that season, the Reds sat eight points ahead of then-second placed Leicester and nine ahead of their closest competitor Manchester City.

They ended that campaign with the second highest-ever single season points total on 99, eighteen more than runners-up City and clinched the title in fewer matches than any other champion in Premier League history. 

There is still work to do

Liverpool’s wobble at Newcastle will remind them that their path to the title will not be anywhere near as smooth and even guaranteed, however.

24 fixtures still remain with 72 points still available. Liverpool must remain alert to the possibility that the Gunners and Manchester City will be ready to capitalize should any stumbles offer either side a route back into the title race.

Liverpool still hold a healthy lead over both despite dropping points late on at Saint James’s park, but their level of comfort will wane considerably from where it was just a week ago should Arsenal or City cut the gap any further. 

Liverpool’s agonizing shortcoming by a single point in 2018/2019 despite amassing a remarkable 97 points in the Premier League was no doubt what fueled their relentless and ultimately successful push for the title the following season.

Even as Liverpool’s lead grew larger and larger, beyond any even remotely conceivable reach of any other side, they retained their drive and intensity and did not take their foot off the gas until they mathematically secured the title. 

Slot’s task is now to motivate his side to compete with the same ruthlessness as they did in 2019/2020 and to not let complacency begin to creep in.

Fortunately for the former Feyenoord man, the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Allison, and Mohamed Salah were all part of Liverpool’s last title win and are familiar with their favorable position and well aware of the consistency necessary to maintain it. 

The Dutchman’s side eased through what initially appeared a daunting run of fixtures against Chelsea, Leipzig, Arsenal, Brighton, Leverkusen, Aston Villa, Real Madrid and Manchester City, winning all save for a 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates.

Their reward has been handsome with places atop both the Premier League and the Champions League in the competition's league phase as its only side to remain perfect after five matches. Liverpool’s fixture list over the next two months on paper presents an excellent opportunity to extend their Premier League lead.

It’s up to Slot to ensure that his side can seize that opportunity by continuing to play at the same exceptional level as they have over the last few weeks. 

After a magnificent series of performances against Europe’s top sides, including last season’s Spanish, English and German champions, Liverpool’s showing at Newcastle was certainly underwhelming.

They were ultimately fortunate that their numerous defensive lapses did not result in defeat. While that should not spell much concern as the Reds have faced a demanding several weeks and Newcastle had denied City and Arsenal maximum points earlier this season, the league leaders should take their draw at Newcastle as a warning that they have little room for error if they aim to keep City and Arsenal at an arm's length. 

Next up for Liverpool is a short trip across Stanley Park to Goodison Park, where Slot will get his first taste of the Merseyside Derby against Everton.

Liverpool are well clear of their local rivals in terms of quality on paper and in the league standings, where Everton sit 15th, but this fixture is rarely straightforward.

Liverpool have not won at Goodison since December 2021 and that victory itself was their first at the ground in five years. 

A rare defeat to the Toffees there in April all but ended Liverpool’s title hopes last season and Everton will be eager to once again deal their bitter rivals a blow this weekend.

Liverpool’s midweek frustration against Newcastle proved that Slot’s side cannot always count solely on the quality of individual stars to bail them out and they certainly cannot expect to get away with once again playing below their best football on Saturday.