FC Liverpool: A Song for Slot

The FC Liverpool beat Real Madrid on November 27, 2024, in the new league phase of the Champions League with a 2-0 (0-0) score, remaining the benchmark in Europe – 5 games, 5 wins. In the Premier League, "The Reds" are leading the table with an 8-point advantage. The 19-time English football champion is once again dreaming of major titles – thanks to the new coach Arne Slot. 

Arne Slot hadn’t even been to Liverpool yet, and he already had his own anthem. “Ar-ne Slot, na-na, na, na, na” – this echoed through the Anfield Stadium on May 19, 2024, after the 2-0 victory against Wolverhampton Wanderers, as Jürgen Klopp himself sang the praises of his successor. 

Arne Slot and his song – Eighties nostalgia enthusiasts will immediately recognize which song this latest cover version of "The Kop" originally comes from. Opus: "Live is Life".

The Austrian band Opus made the track a worldwide number one hit in 1985. "Live is Life" stayed in the German charts for 27 weeks, while in Austria, the band from Styria held the top spot for 25 weeks. 

"It's something special when they sing your name"

The FC Liverpool has not been at the top of the Premier League table for long, but "The Slot Machine," as it says on the banners at the famous fan stand "The Kop," has reinvigorated the Merseyside club.

And of course, the celebrated coach is honored by this tribute: “It’s always something special when they sing your name.”

Well, why not? Just ask Rafael Benítez, who led Liverpool to a Champions League victory in 2005 and was among the special guests during the match against Real Madrid! 

No other coach started better in the Premier League era than Arne Slot, who won 10 of the first 12 league matches and leads the table with an 8-point advantage before the top clash against defending champions Manchester City. 

In the Champions League, the record under his guidance is even better: 15 points from 5 games, never before has Liverpool entered a European season so strongly.

Since 2002, I have editorially followed many games from Anfield, whether on-site or at the news desk – but rarely has the emotion and atmosphere been as captivating as in this 2-0 victory over Real Madrid. An Anfield Night for the dictionary entry. 

Two lost Champions League finals (2018 and 2022) against "Los Blancos" have weighed on the Merseyside fans. The last win was in 2009, when a brilliant Steven Gerrard ("Oh Captain, my Captain!") and Fernando "El Nino" Torres led Liverpool to a 4-0 victory in the round of 16 second leg. 

Kelleher: Game of a Lifetime

Now came the turnaround – with him: Caoimhin Kelleher. The Irish goalkeeper for FC Liverpool played a match out of the "game of a lifetime" category. In the 61st minute, he saved a penalty from Real superstar Kylian Mbappé. "I didn’t focus much on the shooter," Kelleher revealed to TNT Sports, "I just felt confident, and luckily I went to the right corner."

Afterwards, to continue the wordplay, Real couldn't quite mbappé Liverpool's defense, but against the tactical discipline of FC Liverpool, the weakened "Royals" had no chance that night. "Pure Slot-Ball," wrote the portal ThisisAnfield.com, "the champion is overwhelmed at Anfield."

Confidence – this is what Arne Slot, seemingly calm on the sidelines, has instilled in Liverpool. 

Jürgen Klopp was in action for 90 minutes, his temperament transmitted to the team and the stands. Many games were won under him purely through mentality. Under Slot, it's different. Pragmatism, tactical discipline, and trust in their own strengths are the hallmarks of his game. 

"I don’t want to change too much," Arne Slot said at his first press conference in July. And he didn’t. Or did he? "For this, he turned down Klopp’s heavy metal football," wrote esteemed colleague Lukas Dombrowski in SPORT BILD (issue 48/2024), "Liverpool is more secure in defense."

Yes! The Liverpool Football Club plays in an offensive 4-3-3 system under Slot, following the classic Dutch football tactics school.

"No, because he’s Dutch"

With center-backs Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté, Liverpool has conceded only 8 goals in the Premier League (best record), and in the Champions League, they've allowed just one goal in 5 games (matchday 1, 3-1 at AC Milan). 

"He’s brought fresh wind," says Slot’s Dutch compatriot Virgil van Dijk, "he approaches things in his own way."

Liverpool keeps the ball moving, bringing calm to their play. Ryan Gravenberch plays the perfect interceptor in defensive midfield, world champion Alexis Mac Allister is the playmaker and scorer, scoring the decisive 1-0 against Real.

And nobody should say that Slot's press conferences lack humor. When asked if Gravenberch could be "the new Toni Kroos," the LFC coach replied: "No, because he’s Dutch…"

When does FC Liverpool play against Manchester City in 2024/2025?

Liverpool vs Manchester City takes place on December 1, 2024 (5:00 PM) at Anfield, with the return leg on February 22, 2025, at the Etihad Stadium. 

When is the Merseyside Derby against Everton FC?

FC Liverpool plays the first derby at Goodison Park against Everton FC on December 7, 2024, at lunchtime (1:30 PM), and will host the second derby on April 2, 2025, a Wednesday matchday. 

When does FC Liverpool play against Manchester United in 2024/2025?

The first leg at Old Trafford saw the "Reds" win 3-0, and at home they will face the "Red Devils" on January 5, 2025, at 5:30 PM to ring in the new year.