Liverpool manager Arne Slot has fired back at former Kop idol Michael Owen for suggesting recent cup exits may take the gloss off a possible Premier League title win.
Slot backed his skipper Virgil van Dijk’s response during a TV interview with Owen after the midweek Merseyside derby victory when the former striker suggested Liverpool were on course for “a really special season” until they were beaten by Paris St-Germain in the Champions League and Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.
“So you are suggesting this season is not going to be special any more? We have to change that narrative a little bit,” responded Van Dijk. “We are fighting for the biggest prize.”
Virgil shutting down Michael Owen.🤣 pic.twitter.com/vxuijWfxgx
— Liverpool News (@LFCVine) April 3, 2025
Owen later clarified he was not trying to undermine the importance of a Premier League win, just suggesting a treble to match that which the club won in 1984 had been a possibility.
Nevertheless, Slot backed his skipper’s pointed response.
“Let me understand it right, Virgil was a bit frustrated because it came across as it’s not enough to only win the Premier League?” said Slot.
“Michael did play for us, didn’t he? So he is aware of the fact that in 35 years we won the league once? There is your answer. If you can win the league with this club then nothing else matters.
“If you do it 10 times in a row, then I could understand that people say, ‘Oh, but you only won the Premier League’.
“If Manchester City only won the Premier League then I could understand people saying it’s not a good season for City. But if, at this club, you can compete for it and let alone win it, then it is a strange question to ask in my opinion.
“If Virgil has this opinion as well then I agree with him.”
Liverpool need 13 points to guarantee the title and head to Fulham on Sunday with a 12-point lead over Arsenal.
Slot insists the quality of this season’s Premier League is better than ever, despite the drop-off from champions City in this campaign.
“I think the league is better than it ever was, that is what people are always saying,” said Slot. “That’s what I hear a lot because the strength overall is getting better.
“I think even Pep [Guardiola] said there will not be a team again as long as he lives that gets more than 100 points and wins the league four times in a row because so many more teams are having ...
