Gerard Houllier once boldly declared that his Liverpool team stood “10 games from greatness”.
It was the start of April 2002 and the French coach was back at the helm ahead of a Champions League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen after recovering from major heart surgery. Liverpool were also locked in a Premier League title race with Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
As Houllier’s side were dumped out of Europe by the Bundesliga outfit and subsequently trailed home seven points behind the Londoners domestically, those words were used as a stick to beat the manager with.
There were no such grand claims, no tempting fate from Arne Slot as he sets his sights on the run-in at a sun-kissed Kirkby on Tuesday. More understated is the Dutchman’s way.
“Everyone can understand the position we’re in,” he said. “We’re looking forward so much to the upcoming nine games. Wednesday night is very important, not only because it’s the Merseyside derby, but because we are in such a great position in the league.”
It shouldn’t take another nine matches for greatness to be bestowed on this Liverpool side and for Slot’s name to be installed alongside Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan, Kenny Dalglish and Jurgen Klopp as a title-winning manager at Anfield.
Even in the unlikely event of Arsenal not dropping a point in their remaining games, Liverpool only need a maximum of 16 points out of a possible 27 to be crowned champions. For context, Opta’s supercomputer has Liverpool finishing top in 99.1 per cent of their latest 10,000 season simulations.
However, the next eight weeks isn’t just about getting the job done. There is a scenario where Arsenal’s deficiencies effectively give Slot’s side a helping hand and they limp across the finish line come May. Their current 12-point cushion means Liverpool have plenty of margin for error.
But having been so good for so long this season it would be a huge shame if they didn’t win it in style by reminding the world why they have been the best team in England since August. There hasn’t been a title race all season, so don’t create one now.
It’s easy for recency bias to cloud people’s judgements. The week before the international break was a chastening one for Liverpool as they were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain and then lost the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle United at Wembley.
Mohamed Salah is dejected after the Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle (Justin Setterfield / Getty Images)
Remarkably, it was the first time Slot had suffered back-to-back defeats in his managerial career. If there was misfortune in losing on penalties to the impressive French champions, they were architects of their own downfall against Eddie Howe’s side. It was the club’s worst performance in a major final this century.
“I don’t think I have seen my players work as hard as they did for 120 minutes against PSG so maybe that was the reason why we looked tired in the final,” Slot said.
“I can’t blame any player for losing to PSG because we tried everything. I was more frustrated about the final because we deserved to lose that one. We were outworked and that I don’t like. We weren’t tough in terms of defending, we weren’t good with the ball.”
Liverpool won just 43 per cent of duels at Wembley and created precious little, despite having 66 per cent possession.
In a bid to rejuvenate his players after such a mentally and physically draining period, Slot gave his international contingent some extra time off following the end of their national team commitments last week. For some, that break was of life-changing significance, with Dominik Szoboszlai getting married to his partner, Borka. For most, it was just a chance to refresh: Luis Diaz, for example, headed to Paris for a short holiday.
The squad didn’t reconvene at Kirkby until Saturday, with Slot declaring they are “refreshed” and ready for Wednesday’s 246th Merseyside derby at Anfield.
Memories of February’s controversial clash at Goodison, when James Tarkowski equalised in the 98th minute, still linger. As emotions boiled over after the final whistle, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Curtis Jones, Slot and assistant coach Sipke Hulshoff were all sent off by referee Michael Oliver.
The burning sense of injustice in the Liverpool dressing room that night — captain Virgil van Dijk accused Oliver of “not having the game under control” — should provide an added incentive as the teams meet again 49 days on. Sam Barrott, taking charge of his first Merseyside derby, will be the man in the middle this time.
“I’m hoping I will act differently next time but I can’t promise,” Slot smiled. “I would be so surprised if I ever experienced eight minutes (in stoppage time) of so many controversial decisions to our disadvantage again. Even if it happens, I hope I act differently.”
Everton will adopt a similar approach to Newcastle with their physicality and the threat they pose from set pieces. Liverpool simply can’t allow themselves to be bullied again.
There is both glory and pride on the line. Their neighbours haven’t triumphed across Stanley Park in front of supporters since 1999 and David Moyes has never won at Anfield in 21 attempts as a manager with Everton, Manchester United, Sunderland and West Ham United.
With Alisson and Ryan Gravenberch ready for action after fitness scares on international duty, Liverpool need to show why they are unbeaten in 25 league matches — the fourth-longest top-flight run in the club’s history.
This is a team who could yet finish on 97 points. From back to front, they have set crazily high standards which nobody else domestically has come close to matching.
There’s a league title to be won and some are playing for their Anfield futures as summer recruitment plans are drawn up.
The mission is clear — finish with a flourish and leave no one in any doubt about why Liverpool are looking down on the rest.
(Top photo: Liverpool train ahead of the game against Everton; Nikki Dyer – Liverpool FC via Getty Images)