LIVERPOOL: Arne Slot has joined an elite band by winning the Premier League at first attempt after succeeding Jurgen Klopp last summer.

A storming 5-1 victory over a poor Tottenham in a deliriously deafening Anfield saw the 46-year-old Dutchman emulate the achievement of Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho (2005), Carlo Ancelotti (2010) and Antonio Conte (2017) as well as Manuel Pellegrini at Manchester City in 2014. Even the trophy-laden Pep Guardiola cannot make that boast.

Anfield was silenced only briefly when Tottenham took an early lead through Dominic Solanke. Within 20 minutes the celebratory volume was switched back on by goals from Luis Diaz, Alex Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo. Mo Salah ended his own six-game goal drought early in the second half before a Destiny Udogie own goal rounded off the scoring.

Winning the record-equalling 20th title at Anfield, with four games still to play, was extra special not only for Slot and the club but for the fans. Liverpool had won the title at Anfield on 11 previous occasions but the last time, in pandemic-hit 2019-20, they did it in front of empty seats.

This time they did so in front of a 61,000 full house to hail a season in which Liverpool are being rewarded for mid-season consistency built on Slot’s insistence on a less frenetic playing style. That has also brought less selection and tactical disruption with fewer stress injuries than in the Klopp era.

Tickets sold for more £1,000 on the black market and an open-top bus parade has been proposed for May 26. This would be precisely 20 years after Rafa Benítez’s team toured the city with the Champions League trophy after the drama of Istanbul.

Then the focus of Slot and the club will turn in earnest to redeveloping his squad for the tasks ahead next season in both retaining the Premier title and a serious pursuit of the Champions League.

The most important signings have already been accomplished with the contract extensions of top scorer Mohamed Salah and captain Virgil van Dijk though, at 32 and 33, Liverpool are aware of the need for eventual replacements. Trent Alexander-Arnold, however, is expected to leave on the expiry of his contract.

Liverpool are reported to have scouted Bournemouth defenders Milos Kerkez and Dean Huijsen as well as Flamengo’s Wesley Franca while attacking options depend on the possible departures of the erratic Darwin Nunez and winger Luis Diaz.

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