Jurgen Klopp's recognition that his 2020 Premier League-winning Liverpool team 'almost perfect' had to be to lift the trophy, speaks volumes about the current state of the top flight
The title win of Liverpool five years ago under Jurgen Klopp was called 'almost perfect' by the German. But during their successful top campaign, the Reds of Arne Slot did not have to be close to error -free, with rivals being missing.
Another Premier League trophy will be raised in Anfield, and memories are again the last time that the title was won on Merseyside, in 2020. Under the iconic Klopp, an impenetrable group of players made up for a 97-point number up campaign in the previous term with a 99-tip-point.
During this Stint, only three games were lost and three, with 32 wins, which means that the title went to the Reds. After the award was won, Boss Klopp stated that his side should be 'almost perfect' in their pursuit of the trophy, with the Almighty Manchester City lurking.
Nevertheless, this time in a remarkable debut campaign for the Dutch Manager Slot, almost perfection was unnecessary and the pursuit package showed little fight.
“100 percent, we did it in the right way. We finished it at a peak,” Klopp pronounced five years ago, speaking after his team Net Newcastle had defeated in the last game of an extraordinary season.
“The football area of ​​the year was exceptional. 99 points. European Super Cup, Club World Cup, Premier League, 99 points after 97 last season. We had a bit of bad luck with 97 last year, but it was clear to win against this team, you have to be almost perfect, and the boys were almost perfect. It will certainly have a special place in my own memories.
'Today we needed a small wake-up call [Newcastle scored after 24 seconds]. From that moment the boys worked hard against the defensive wall of Newcastle. We not only win on a perfect day, the boys dig deep on the non-so-perfect days, and that is what I like. “
In stark contrast to that title-winning campaign and those for that, when 97 points were not enough to be crowned champion, this Premier League season does not require flawlessness.
On the way to a dominant title win, the men from Slot gathered a respectable 25 wins and 83 points before they play Crystal Palace on the last day of the season.
In contrast to the Klopp champions, however, the Reds have been signed eight times this season and cases to beat four times. Their cupboard day players, Arsenal, had opportunities to set up the pressure, but did not. Usual Kanshebbers City has passed a challenging year.
The Reds were not tough favorites to win the crown before the season started, many expected that both the city and the Gunners would renew a rivalry that spanned the last two campaigns.
Unfortunately, both parties and Liverpool benefited. They did not have to be perfect in the presence of no real title rivals, which indicates how the form of the competition has changed from Klopp's reign.
Looking ahead to the next period, Slot admitted that this season did not proven that his party has an elite mentality, and whether they will go back-to-back, will determine whether these are cohort serial winners.
“We have a lot to compete again for next season, but what I don't know yet – and that will be the interesting – is if we have this elite mentality, this serial winner – mentality, from the appearance after season after season,” Slot said.
“Many teams have once won the Premier League, but not many have won several seasons in a row – and that is for a reason. I think the competition has never been as strong as it is.”