Why Liverpool are like CSK of 2023 vintage
A feat more difficult than winning the league title is perhaps defending it. In the Premier League era, only three managers have successfully defended the crown—Sir Alex Ferguson, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola. So when the shine of Liverpool’s coronation fades out and the reality of the title defence winks in next season, manager Arne Slot would be conscious of the need to renew, and maybe, retool his squad and reengineer his tactics so that he does not end up being comically hailed as a one-hit wonder. The squad he inherited from Jurgen Klopp was sufficiently healthy to reduce the title to a saunter in the end. But bells of alarm buzzed intermittently to ensure that Liverpool do need energy and freshness to build a dynasty, lest risking the cruel fate of being overshadowed by a vengeful...