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Liverpool are just weeks away from Premier League glory barring a meltdown but there is a palpable sense of anti-climax and uncertainty over the future after a chastening week for Arne Slot's men.
On Sunday the anaemic Reds lost the League Cup final to a hungry Newcastle team, just five days after Paris Saint-Germain ended their Champions League campaign.
At Wembley, Liverpool was out-strategized and outperformed by the Magpies, who reveled in claiming their first domestic title in seven decades in front of their fervent supporters.
Slot remained calm following the loss, acknowledging that Eddie Howe's team merited their victory.
"Facing top teams like the current powerhouse in European football and encountering a formidable side such as Newcastle United in the English league—both scenarios are integral parts of participating in this level of competition," he explained.
The Dutch manager aimed to redirect attention towards the Premier League, emphasizing Liverpool's substantial 12-point advantage with only nine matches remaining.
An additional sixteen points would secure the championship for Liverpool, even if Arsenal wins all their remaining matches; however, with Arsenal’s match at Anfield scheduled for May, it might end up being irrelevant.
It seems nearly unimaginable that Liverpool won’t match Manchester United’s record of 20 English top-flight championships, and team captain Virgil van Dijk mentioned they don’t require additional motivation.
The defender stated, 'We have nine more matches left, and I believe no additional motivation is required. What we need is to recognize that there’s still significant effort ahead and unfinished business.'
Should you manage to win five matches — which is undoubtedly an extremely challenging feat — you will become the English champions.
When the new season began, Liverpool supporters would have been thrilled with the prospect of winning only the Premier League duringJurgen Klopp's absence following his departure as their iconic team leader.
However, their outstanding performance during the group stage of the Champions League ignited hope that they might achieve something extraordinary this season, largely thanks to the prolific scoring of the unstoppable Mohamed Salah.
Rather, the mercilessness they displayed earlier in the campaign has vanished, at least for now.
Over their last ten games across various competitions, Liverpool has secured five wins, two draws, and suffered three losses, including a match decided by penalty kicks against Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite Salah's scoring drought continuing — as he has gone without a goal in four out of his last five games — and his subdued performance at Wembley, his influence remained minimal.
The Egyptian player is among the trio of stars whose contracts expire at the season’s end, alongside Van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Contract uncertainty
Throughout the season, Slot has faced constant queries about his players' futures, largely brushing aside reporter's efforts to devise new methods of inquiring about their plans.
However, their situation remains unsettled merely two months prior to the conclusion of the domestic season.
Last week, Van Dijk confessed that he was uncertain about whether he would stay at Anfield beyond this season.
There have been rumors about Salah potentially moving to Saudi Arabia for a profitable transfer, while reports continue suggesting that England’s Alexander-Arnold might be enticed to join Real Madrid.
Despite Liverpool's potential success in retaining one or more members of the trio, there is an underlying feeling that the squad may be approaching the conclusion of their current phase rather than embarking on a new one.
At 33 years old, Van Dijk is joined by 32-year-old Salah and goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Defender Andy Robertson is only one year his junior.
These players were instrumental in shaping the core of Klopp's squads, which persistently pressured Pep Guardiola's dominant Manchester City team, securing both the Premier League title and the Champions League during the tenure of the German manager.
WhenSlotarrivedlastyearto takeoverfromKloppatFeyenoord,hewasfacedwithalargelegacytounravel,buthedidnotexperiencelosuntillJanuary.
Unless they experience an unprecedented downfall, Liverpool will secure just their second Premier League title since 1990 in the upcoming weeks.
Slot will savor the moment yet simultaneously understand that the truly difficult tasks still lie ahead.
Provided by Syndigate Media Inc. ( Syndigate.info ).