Maintaining their impressive form on the road this term could give Liverpool an edge in the Premier League title race.
Arne Slot has apparently done his homework. When the Anfield boss was grilled on the vital marginal gains that could help turn his team from title hopefuls into genuine contenders for the Premier League trophy, he was quick to point out Manchester City’s superior record on the road last season.
Peerless at home form in 2023/24, Liverpool amassed 48 points at Anfield, bettering the tallies of every other team in the top flight. Away from Merseyside, however, it was a different story altogether, with the Reds securing 10 points fewer from their 19 away fixtures.
The fact that Pep Guardiola’s side went on to wrap up the campaign nine points clear of Liverpool is pretty unequivocal evidence of how costly slip-ups on opposition turf can prove to be if you harbor legitimate ambitions of claiming the game’s biggest prizes.
“I think there are areas we have to improve and that is why it is so important to take control over every game, not only the home games but the away ones too,” Slot explained ahead of last weekend’s trip to Crystal Palace.
“Just to be very dominant in away games that is why I wasn’t very happy with the first 20 minutes at Wolves.
“I think the home and away games of Liverpool are quite similar but in general it is tougher to play away because the home fans cheer very hard if their team gets a chance, they get more confidence from that.
“You play against the same players (as you do at home) but they get more confidence from the fans which makes it a bit more difficult to win an away game.”
Noteceably Liverpool’s 1-0 victory at Selhurst Park on Saturday afternoon was anything but straightforward. Their early lead through Diogo Jota and dominating possession for most of the game still saw the Reds wilting under pressure in the second half, with Alisson Becker forced into a number of fine saves before being forced to withdraw with a hamstring injury.
However despite it not being Liverpool’s slickest showing, the Reds were still the only team in the Premier League to pick up an away win at the weekend, reinforcing Slot’s point about the immense effort required to gain three points on the road. In triumphing in the capital, Liverpool ensured they would be going into the October international break not only top of the table, but also with a 100% record on their travels this term.
Slot is the first Liverpool boss in history to win each of his first five away matches in charge, with victories at Ipswich Town, Manchester United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Palace, including a win over AC Milan in the Champions League. The Dutchman also became just the fourth manager in Premier League history to win his first four away games after Luiz Felipe Scolari, John Gregory and Bobby Gould.
Granted that it is still very early days but Liverpool’s increased robustness away from home could go a long way to helping dethrone a juggernaut like City, although Slot has also been quick to highlight that there will be much sterner tests to come.
The Reds impending trip to face Arsenal at the Emirates is likely to be a telling one, with Liverpool having failed to pick up a league point at the home of the Gunners in each of the last two seasons. It should stand them in very good stead as they prepare to embark on a grueling winter if Slot’s side manage to emerge with a positive result on October 27.
Arsenal finished seven points clear of Liverpool last term, picking up 42 points away from home, and have been similarly strong in away games so far this season, having only dropped points away to City. With the Reds’ two main competitors in the Premier League having largely excelled outside of their home turf in recent seasons, it is imperative Slot and his players keep up their own impressive record in the months ahead.
The last time Liverpool won their opening four away league games of a season, in 2019-20, they went on to win the title. Although the same fate may not await them this term, they have still made an excellent start that thy certainly need to maintain going forward.