Arne Slot can help Liverpool keep a strong grip on the Carabao Cup

Mohamed Salah has helped Liverpool make a winning start to the new season (Picture: Reuters)

There has been no pumping his fist in front of the Kop to whip fans into a frenzy after a home win and no touchline histrionics after decisions have not gone his way. It looks like Arne Slot is a very different personality from Jurgen Klopp.

But the way Liverpool are going about their business has not skipped a beat and the Reds could be in for a very good season despite being under new management. 

There was some trepidation they would take time to settle under the command of the former Feyenoord coach but after beating Arsenal and Manchester United on their pre-season trip to the United States, Liverpool won their Premier League curtain-raiser at Ipswich before claiming maximum points from their home opener against Brentford.

They did so by scoring two goals in each game and keeping a clean sheet in both matches and although the opposition isn’t of the highest quality in the top flight, they have been highly efficient and easy on the eye.

The lack of business in the transfer market isn’t too much of a concern as there is depth to Slot’s squad, although there must be some worries about the long-term future with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk all entering the final year of their contracts.

Expectations are always high at Anfield and as long as the status of the three foundations does not become a huge distraction, the Reds should excel and could easily retain their grip on the Carabao Cup.

It’s business as usual at Anfield with Arne Slot at the helm (Picture: Getty Images)

They have won twice in the last three years, with victories over Chelsea both last term and two years before that.

In fact, it is 11 years since the first silverware of the season was won by a club other than Liverpool, Manchester United, Manchester City or Chelsea with Swansea being the last team to break the mould when they beat Bradford 5-0 in a one-sided affair in 2013.

Premier League clubs not involved in Europe this season enter the competition when the second round is held this week and there will be plenty of punters placing bets on the likes of Brighton, Newcastle and West Ham to win the Wembley final.

But the big guns really do take this seriously and Liverpool could give Slot something to get excited about by lifting the trophy at 10/1 with William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral and many others.

• Jack Draper can put the controversy surrounding his victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime at the Cincinnati Open behind him by making a strong start at the US Open in New York. The British No.1 is 3/1 with Ladbrokes, Coral and BoyleSports to win three sets to one over Zhang Zhizhen in his opening match.

• Fulham, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United and Watford form Tuesday’s Carabao Cup acca.


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