Pep Guardiola dealt blow, Mo Salah signs Liverpool deal – Arne Slot's dream scenario

Arne Slot has quickly become a hit with the Anfield faithful, consistently exceeding expectations after stepping into the shoes of the iconic Jurgen Klopp. When Slot was first appointed in May, many supporters may have doubted his ability to fill the void left by Klopp, who brought plenty of success to Merseyside between 2015 and 2024.

The German genius led Liverpool to their first Premier League title in the 2019/20 season, as well as securing a Champions League trophy, a Community Shield and two FA Cup and League Cups before hanging up his crampons. So it's no surprise that fans are unsure what to expect under new manager Slot following Klopp's departure.

Although the 46-year-old enjoyed success in the Eredivisie with Feyenoord in 2022/23 and won the KNVB Cup the following year, triumphs in other leagues do not necessarily guarantee success in England's top flight. You only have to consider the difficulties faced by compatriots Erik ten Hag and Louis van Gaal at Manchester United to understand that the Premier League is a whole different kettle of fish.

However, Slot has so far managed to dispel all doubts. As things stand, Liverpool go top of the Premier League – seven points ahead of second-placed Chelsea. – with 11 victories, two draws and only one defeat. The club, under Slot's leadership, look increasingly set to recreate their fairytale 2019/20 Premier League victory, especially given Manchester City's inconsistent performances so far.

However, Slot's reign was not without its challenges. A surprising 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest in September raised eyebrows, given Liverpool were favourites. Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah are currently involved in a contract dispute and could leave Anfield on free transfers next summer.

In the meantime, Slot is aiming for the Premier League trophy in his first season. But what would an ideal 2024/25 season look like for Slot? Express sport provides the distribution…

City lose points again in one-horse race

Slot has made it clear that his goal for the Reds this season is “to improve the team and win as many games as possible”, and so far he appears to be delivering on his promises.

Despite a somewhat lackluster summer transfer window, where he missed out on Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi and only managed to secure Federico Chiesa from Juventus for £10.1million plus add-ons, as well that goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili – who will not join Valencia until the 2025/26 season – Slot got the most out of the team he took over from Klopp.

Yet despite limited reinforcements, Liverpool do not appear to need any significant changes, with Slot tapping into the team's rich vein of talent.

Football fans are well aware of Pep Guardiola's dominance in the Premier League with Manchester City since his arrival in July 2016. Guardiola has won six league titles with City in the last eight years, as well as two FA Cups, four League Cups, three Community Shields and a coveted Champions League title – making him the best club manager in the English Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson's heyday at Manchester United.

City have found themselves struggling this season, however, with eight wins, two draws and four defeats in 14 games, including the 2-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. With tough matches ahead, including Manchester United at home and Aston Villa away, Arne Slot will want Pep Guardiola to continue dropping points as Liverpool continue their impressive streak. The Citizens are also already nine points behind the Reds in the league.

New contracts emerge

The contract renewal saga is a pressing issue for Slot. Key men Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold have contracts expiring at the end of the season. While this contract uncertainty is not affecting on-field performances – as evidenced by Salah's 13 goals and eight assists this season – Slot is understandably eager for these issues to be resolved quickly.

The influential trio could begin negotiations with other clubs from January if their situations remain unresolved. Although they currently appear settled at Anfield, the lack of contract extensions could put a strain on relations. Salah's comment that he feels “more on the sidelines than in” highlights the urgency, especially given his outstanding contributions to the team.

Van Dijk is reportedly seeking a contract extension that would keep him on Merseyside until 2027, while Alexander-Arnold has consistently been linked with a move to Real Madrid. Ideally for Slot, he would retain all three and secure them contracts that would prove as beneficial to them as they were to the club – easing the pressure and scrutiny surrounding the future.

While Alexander-Arnold's position remains uncertain amid interest from Real, Salah and Van Dijk's apparent willingness to sign extensions gives Slot hope that his dream could become a reality.