Eamon Dunphy column: Arne Slot needs to figure out if Liverpool can fight on four fronts
Mohamed Salah's recent interviews have been interesting in the way he's talked of the Reds not doing enough in the Premier League and Champions League. That is the right attitude. Those are the trophies that really matter.
When he was interviewed on the Anfield pitch after Saturday night's win over Aston Villa, Arne Slot was in relaxed mood.
He looked ahead to the international break, talking of spending some time in the Netherlands with his children who were doing exams, and maybe taking a few days holiday in the sun.
But it's a fair bet that, if Slot does take a few days off, he will do plenty of thinking. Something he should focus on is Liverpool's 2021/22 season. The Red went agonisingly close to an incredible quadruple under Jurgen Klopp.
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They won both the League and FA Cups but missed out on the Premier League to Manchester City on the last day of the campaign and went on to lose the Champions League final 1-0 to Real Madrid.
Klopp gave a recent interview where he spoke at length about the latter game in comical fashion. "That f***er Courtois had 12 hands in the final. His gloves were burning hot. I'll never in my life be able to explain that game."
It's easy to understand why Klopp is still so frustrated. Liverpool had 24 shots, nine on target - Real four shots, just two on target. But they made one of them count.
Would Liverpool, though, have been that fresher for the crucial business end to that season if they hadn't gone so far in the domestic Cup competitions?
Since then, the pressure on players and managers has only got greater - with extra internationals, Champions League group games and the Club World Cup on the horizon too.
Liverpool are in a fantastic position. Top of the Premier League and of the Champions League. There are plenty of tough games on the way after the international break - including a date with Manchester City, a tough trip to Newcastle United and a Merseyside derby.
But Slot's men have just negotiated a tough spell since the last international break - beating Chelsea, Brighton (twice), Red Bull Leipzig, Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa. The only points dropped were in an away draw with Arsenal - but that was a good result.
It is worth looking, though, at the complications that Liverpool could run into. They are in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals and the FA Cup starts in January. Exiting both competitions would give them breathing space that could be hugely important next May.
Liverpool won the Carabao Cup last season. They really don't need another one of them. Mohamed Salah's recent interviews have been interesting in the way he's talked of the Reds not doing enough in the Premier League and Champions League. That is the right attitude. Those are the competitions that really matter.
It's still very early in the season to make any conclusions but Liverpool could have a big chance of glory not just because of their own impressive form.
Things aren't right at Manchester City. Rodri is clearly a massive loss but Pep Guardiola is doing an awful lot of moaning too.
Again and again, he's lamenting the fixture schedule and the toll it takes on players. He's right, but he seems a bit distracted.
We know that City have always been stronger in the New Year but there is a sense of drift to them, at the moment, that needs to be halted soon.
What of Arsenal? They are nine points adrift of Liverpool, but Mikel Arteta is right to point out that they've already played most of their toughest away fixtures.
Arsenal have shown over the past couple of seasons that they were well capable of putting a long winning streak together.
The sight of Bukayo Saka going off injured at Stamford Bridge will worry Gunners fans, and they'll be hoping the international break will give him the time needed to get himself right.
It has been clear for a long time that Arsenal's biggest issue is the fact that they don't have a top class striker. Look at the difference that Salah makes to Liverpool. They have plenty of other attacking talent of quality but they wouldn't be title contenders without him.
The likes of Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard should be squad players, but they're often first choice at Arsenal.
The Gunners are chasing now, and when you're chasing, you need goals, and a consistent supply of them. Where are they going to come from?
Chelsea are a decent team, it has to be emphasised. You can already see the impact that Enzo Maresca has made on his squad.
He is an impressive character. He dropped Reece James yesterday and there was no pussyfooting when he was questioned about the call on TV.
In Moises Caicedo, Chelsea have the kind of player that champion teams often have. He is a tough nut, a real midfield leader. No wonder Liverpool were prepared to make him their record signing. He would give Liverpool an added dimension.
Arsenal drawing at Stamford Bridge may end up being a good result when we look back on the season with the benefit of hindsight.
That's because Chelsea are a team to be respected now. I think they have a great chance of finishing in the top four and, given their youth, they are only going to get better.
But Arsenal are dependent on a handful of key players. They need to get them fit and keep them fit.
That is going to be the mantra this season with all the top clubs. You've got to be careful with your top players. One game too many can cost you big time.
Even many of the most ardent Liverpool fans don't know how many League Cups they've won.
Liverpool don't need another one. There are enough talented young players at the club to play the League and FA Cup ties. They don't need to risk Salah and Co.
I watched City twice in the last week. I watched the recent Clasico in Spain. City look tired, Real Madrid look tired. That shouldn't be the case so early in the season.
With the demands on players, managing the load is crucial now. Whoever does this best could land the big prizes.
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