Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images

Features

FeaturedFeaturesLiverpoolArsenalEnglish Premier League

How Arne Slot sides typically perform in second half of the season as Arsenal sit six points behind Liverpool

Billy Meyers

Mon 6 January 2025 16:45, UK

After Liverpool drew 2-2 against Manchester United on Sunday, Arsenal fans might be feeling quite optimistic.

Not only did the Reds drop two points from a winning position, but Trent Alexander-Arnold struggled tremendously amid rumours the England international could ditch Liverpool for Real Mad☂rid.

Virgil van Dijk could be seen screaming at the Liverpool No.66 on several occasions, and Mohamed Salah has since posted a cryptic photo ꧙of himself, the Dutchman and the Real Madrid target online, with all three currently set to leave for free when their contracts expire at the end of the season.

Arsenal fans may therefore feel like the wheels might be coming off over at Anfield – although Liverpool supporters should be confident about that not happening with Arne Slot at the helm.

Arne Slot usually amasses more points in the second half of a season

If Liverpool fans felt the first half of the 2024/25 camp🅠aign was f🌃un, the business end of the season has a good chance of being even more enjoyable.

In Slot’s three seasons at Feyenoord, the Dutchman won 12ꦆ4 poin✱ts in the second half of the season compared to 113 in the first half.

Of 🍎course, the 46-year-old never had to deal with the issue of having three superstars all facing uncertain futures at the same time, but in terms of getting everybody focused on the business end of a season, he historically seems to excel.

Slot lifted the Eredivisie title with Feyenoord in the 2022/23 cꦚampaign, before winning the KNVB Cup in 2024 prior to replacing Jurgen Klopp – so it would be a real surprise if he fails to win at least one of the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, FA Cup or Carabao Cup with Liverpool still involved in all four competitions, with a league game in hand over Arsenal too.

Arsenal have their own problems amid Liverpool contract issues

Having Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold all at risk of entering free agency i💯s hardly ideal for Liverpool,𝄹 but Mikel Arteta has his own headaches at Arsenal.

For one, Bukayo Saka could be out until March with his torn hamstring, while the 17-year-o🗹ld Ethan Nwaneri, who scored against Brighton last time out when standing in for the England international, is also now injured🔯.

The Gunners seemed bereft of attacking creativity in that 1-1 draw at Bright🐟on, so regardless of what happens over at Liverpool, Arteta has work to do if Arsenal are to ♕take advantage of any potential collapse at Anfield.