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Liverpool’s jubilant fans celebrated their team’s emphatic 2-0 win over Manchester City, knowing they were on the brink of something historic. With only 90 seconds left on the clock, chants of “We’re going to win the league!” echoed through the near-empty Etihad Stadium. The victory put Liverpool 11 points clear at the top of the Premier League, leaving little doubt about who will be crowned champions this season.

Manager Arne Slot’s seamless transition from Jurgen Klopp is paying off in spectacular fashion, and this win confirmed that Liverpool are set to claim the title that has eluded them for over three decades. For the legendary managers who shaped the club’s history—Bill Shankly, Bob Paisley, and Joe Fagan—winning the league was the ultimate prize. And now, it seems that Slot will join that elite list of Liverpool managers to lift the Premier League trophy.

A Step Towards Glory

Liverpool’s commanding 2-0 victory over Manchester City, combined with Arsenal’s unexpected loss at home to West Ham, has all but confirmed the league title for the Reds. With just 11 matches left to play, Liverpool’s 11-point lead is looking insurmountable. Even with Arsenal’s game in hand, it would take a remarkable series of results for the Gunners to catch up. Arsenal have struggled with consistency this season, and as the pressure mounts, it seems increasingly unlikely they will challenge Liverpool for the crown.

At Etihad Stadium, the mood was familiar but different. The stadium, often a venue for Manchester City’s title celebrations, saw Liverpool fans chanting, “hand it over,” signaling the end of the title race. In previous seasons, it had been City adding silverware to their collection, but this time, it’s Liverpool’s turn to shine.

Slot’s Cautious Optimism

Despite the commanding lead, Slot remains cautious. “In any other league, a lead like this would feel comfortable, but not here,” he said. “Every game presents a challenge. Even Plymouth Argyle tested us in the FA Cup. The fans can sing what they want, but we know the effort required.”

Slot is wise to remain grounded. Premier League history has shown that even sizable leads can evaporate, but few teams have surrendered a lead as commanding as Liverpool’s at this stage. The last comparable instance was in the 1997-98 season when Manchester United had an 11-point lead over Arsenal, only to falter. However, United had already suffered five defeats, while Liverpool’s lone league loss came at the hands of Nottingham Forest in September.

Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal were able to chase United down, but Mikel Arteta’s current Arsenal squad does not possess the same caliber of team or experience. With 11 points between them and Liverpool, it’s looking increasingly likely that Arsenal will have to settle for second place once again.

Guardiola’s Acknowledgment

While Pep Guardiola stopped short of declaring Liverpool champions, he acknowledged the magnitude of their achievement. When asked about Liverpool’s lead over Arsenal, he responded with two pointed questions: “How many points are they ahead of Arsenal? How many games have they lost?” The answers, of course, told the story—Liverpool’s dominance is clear for all to see.

Guardiola’s respect for Liverpool’s title credentials was evident when he warmly congratulated Slot at the final whistle and shook hands with every Liverpool player. As one of the most successful managers in football history, Guardiola knows a title-winning side when he sees one. And on this day, it was Liverpool’s turn to celebrate.

Salah’s Incredible Form

The man leading Liverpool’s charge for the title is Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward scored his 30th goal of the season before setting up Dominik Szoboszlai for the second goal, securing a vital win for his team. Salah has now reached 30 goals in five separate seasons for Liverpool, joining club legends Roger Hunt and Ian Rush in achieving this feat. With 21 assists this season, his total goal contributions have reached an astonishing 51 before the end of February.

Salah’s brilliance on the field continues to shine, and his ability to deliver in crucial moments has been one of the key reasons behind Liverpool’s title push.

A Tactical Masterclass

Liverpool’s victory at Etihad Stadium was a display of precision, professionalism, and tactical efficiency. Despite having only 33.9% possession—Liverpool’s lowest in a Premier League win since Opta began tracking data in 2003-04—the Reds were ruthless in their approach. City dominated possession with 16 shots to Liverpool’s eight, but goalkeeper Alisson had very little to do, and Liverpool’s defense stood firm throughout.

Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart described Liverpool’s performance as “professional.” He noted that the Reds had a plan for every potential threat, and even though City posed danger in some moments, Liverpool managed those situations well. The second half was largely a formality, with Liverpool maintaining a constant counter-attacking threat while City struggled to break through.

Looking Ahead: A Title is Imminent

As the season progresses, it’s becoming increasingly clear that Liverpool are in control of the Premier League title race. With seven of their remaining 11 matches at home, at Anfield, they are in an even stronger position to maintain their lead. While Arsenal’s game in hand could offer them some hope, it seems more likely that Liverpool will continue their dominance and march toward their first league title since the 2019-2020 season.

Slot’s clinical and composed approach to management has elevated Liverpool to new heights. The emotional rollercoaster of Klopp’s era has given way to Slot’s precision and efficiency, and the results are clear. Liverpool have already proven themselves to be the team to beat this season, and it’s only a matter of time before the red ribbons are wrapped around the Premier League trophy.

For more on Liverpool’s journey to the title and other football updates, visit Financial Mirror.