GOAL runs through the key signings, moves, matches and injuries during the Reds' triumphant 2024-25 campaign

Liverpool have done it! The Reds are champions of England for a record-equalling 20th time thanks to Sunday's 5-1 victory over Tottenham, which has given Arne Slot's side an unassailable 15-point lead over Arsenal at the top of the Premier League table with four rounds remaining.

We can safely say that nobody saw this coming at the start of the season – not with the club still coming to terms with the devastating departure of legendary manager Jurgen Klopp, who bid an emotional farewell to Anfield just under a year ago.

However, former Feyenoord boss Slot has done a sensational job dealing with the pressure of succeeding a Kop icon while at the same time getting the absolute maximum out of a squad that wasn't really strengthened at all last summer. So, how did the Dutchman do it?

Well, a couple of minor tactical tweaks certainly helped, but Slot was also aided by a couple of key characters putting incessant contract talk to one side to produce one influential display after another. Below, GOAL runs through the key moments in Liverpool's triumphant 2024-25 Premier League campaign…

Getty Images SportPerfect Klopp replacement

Where else but to begin than right at the start, because let's face it: Liverpool's appointment of Arne Slot was fundamental to their 20th top-flight success. Lest anyone forget, replacing a living legend like Jurgen Klopp was widely regarded as the impossible job – but Slot has proven the perfect replacement.

A lot of credit must, therefore, go to sporting director Richard Hughes. He may have copped plenty of subsequent flak for his transfer activity – or lack thereof – but he got the biggest call of his time at Anfield 100 percent correct. Xabi Alonso, Ruben Amorim and Roberto De Zerbi were all touted as possible Klopp replacements, but the Reds instead offered the job to the unassuming Dutchman doing a fantastic job at Feyenoord.

"The playing style that attracted us to Arne is based on subjective footballing opinion and data as well," Hughes explained at Slot's unveiling last July. "In all the metrics, Arne's Feyenoord team came out really well. They played real front-foot, attacking football with intelligence and passion, and I think those are all attributes that we would welcome here at Liverpool. I also think they lend really well with the current squad that we have, our supporters and the football club as a whole."

Hughes couldn't have been more right…

AdvertisementGetty Images SportGravenberch slots in

Martin Zubimendi's decision to reject a move to Anfield in favour of staying at Real Sociedad meant Liverpool still had a major problem in midfield. Slot solved it by redeploying Ryan Gravenberch as a No.6.

Although his potential was obvious, the Netherlands international had struggled to play with any great fluency during his first season at Anfield. However, he proved a revelation in his new defensive midfield role on the opening day of the season at Portman Road.

"I think he has the attributes to play there," Slot told after the 2-0 win over Ipswich. "He has to develop in that position, that's also clear, but he's comfortable with the ball, he can run, and he can keep running!"

Gravenberch impressed again in the 2-0 win over Brentford, but it was his classy performance in the 3-0 rout of Manchester United at Old Trafford on matchday three which proved that the Dutchman had finally found his best position.

Getty Images SportCity lose Rodri

This is certainly not an attempt to detract in any way, shape or form from Liverpool's championship success, but there is simply no denying that Rodri tearing his ACL against Arsenal on September 22 was one of the defining moments of the season.

Manchester City initially coped quite well without the Spain midfielder and they were still unbeaten in all competitions as we entered November. However, they then capitulated, as the devastating consequences of being shorn of the services of their most influential player were compounded by an injury crisis in defence and several key men suffering dramatic dips in form, including Phil Foden, last year's Premier League Player of the Season.

Indeed, it suddenly became very clear that Pep Guardiola had erred horribly in allowing the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan to grow old together at the Etihad. By the time City's billionaire owners moved to rectify the mistake by significantly strengthening the squad during a January spending spree, it was already too late. Liverpool had taken full advantage of Pep's lack of foresight during a blistering start to the season and had absolutely no intention of allowing their great rivals back into the title race.

Getty Images SportGakpo stars in preferred position

With Luis Diaz having made a blistering start to the new season and Diogo Jota fit and firing up front, Cody Gakpo began Liverpool's first six league games on the bench. However, by that point, Slot had already decided that his compatriot was most effective on the left flank – thanks in no small part to a fantastic display in the Carabao Cup win over West Ham on September 5.

So, when Gakpo did eventually start in the Premier League for the first time, against Crystal Palace on October 5, he did so in his preferred position and set up the winning goal for Jota inside the opening 10 minutes.

Gakpo never really looked back from there and was one of Liverpool's form players before picking up a niggling injury in February that checked his progress. Still, it's clear that the Dutchman has benefited enormously from being almost exclusively played out wide this season.