Why Liverpool have been unstoppable in Premier League

Seldom in recent years has the English Premier League title been all but sealed as early as February. But such has been Liverpool's supremacy in a season where otherwise perennial winners Manchester City slipped into oblivion, and closest challengers Arsenal have endured untimely setbacks in the title race, that it looks good as done. Arne Slot's Liverpool, who made a thumping statement with the league double over defending champions City on Sunday, enjoy a 11-point cushion at the summit with about one-third of the season remaining. TOI analyses the key factors for the Reds' dominant run among Europe's elite leagues this term…

Fitting in the Slot: While Kop favourite Jurgen Klopp established a base for future success and left behind a fine squad for Slot to inherit, the Dutchman has surprised the sceptics by seamlessly adapting to the English game. In his maiden EPL season, Slot has gone toe to toe with the best, thanks to his flexibility and tactical tweaks - the 'relocation' of Cody Gakpo for one. The Dutch international is relishing his current role on the left wing after being used primarily as a striker under Klopp. "It felt a little bit like the 'old me'. I feel really good in this position," Gakpo, owner of eight EPL goals this season, said. On Sunday, Slot showed his tactical nous again, employing midfielders Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai up front in the absence of an out-and-out striker.

Run like the Egyptian: Mohamed Salah has been enjoying an extraordinary season, forever raising an already high bar. With 25 goals and 16 assists in 27 appearances, the north African has been the league's most productive player by a distance. For perspective, Salah's closest rivals (Alexander Isak (Newcastle United) and Erling Haaland (City)) trail him by six goals in the standings. "He gets the ball and does something special, that is sometimes difficult. But not many things seem difficult for Mo," Slot said of his 32-year-old spearhead. "We need another title. Me and the big guys in the team, we need another title," Salah, whose current deal is set to expire at the end of the season, said.

Ryan's gig: Ryan Gravenberch has proved indispensable to Slot's system, so much that even a slight dip in form has been overlooked. Forging a strong partnership with Alexis Mac Allister in the middle of the park, the Dutch midfielder has shone in his deep-lying defensive role. The 22-year-old has been handed a start in every EPL match thus far and Slot has used like-for-like replacement in Wataru Endo off the bench. "When you come to Liverpool, you always want to be in the first XI," Gravenberch had said. "When Slot told me that he sees me as a No. 6, I knew what I had to do. Of course, I have had to adapt a little bit, but it has been going really well," the youngster had added.

Moderate means more: Where everyone simply splashes the cash, Liverpool did not spend big in the last two transfer windows. The only senior arrival was Italian forward Federico Chiesa. Yet, despite not possessing a luxurious squad depth, Slot has managed available resources admirably. Liverpool have reaped the rewards of their emphasis on injury prevention, hardly losing key players to long-term injuries - nine players have made 25 appearances or more so far this season. Training sessions not being as intense as they were during Klopp's era and Slot's "patient" and "possession-based" style have greatly helped in this regard.

Virgil's vigil: Led by their talismanic centre-half Virgil van Dijk, Liverpool have the second-best defensive record in the league; they are behind Arsenal, having conceded 26 goals. The Reds are perched at the top of the 'clean sheets' table with 11 shutouts, despite not being at their best defensively in recent fixtures. "Clean sheets are one of the reasons why you win a lot," is the Slot maxim.

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