Champions League

AT THE start of the season, title conversation centred around Manchester City’s seemingly inevitable dominance, Arsenal’s growth and a resurgent Chelsea.Yet here we are, with Liverpool at the summit of the Premier League, proving once again football is not played on paper — but on the pitch.Arne Slot has turned Liverpool into soon-to-be-champions in his first seasonCredit: EPASlot’s tactics have helped Mo Salah have his best campaign everCredit: AFPLiverpool have defied expectations, outgunned their rivals and shown themselves to be the rightful champions-in-waiting.It is often said that winning is about mentality as much as ability, and this Liverpool side is built on the kind of resilience that turns good teams into great ones.Their famous “mentality monsters” have re-emerged this season, grinding out results when it mattered most.Late winners, comeback victories and an insatiable will to win have become the hallmarks of this side.Read more football newsWhile City stumbled with uncharacteristic sloppiness, and Arsenal lacked the ruthlessness of true champions, Liverpool have been relentless.With Jurgen Klopp no longer at the helm, many expected Liverpool to struggle. Instead, they have adapted brilliantly.Under new manager Arne Slot, the team have maintained the high standards set under Klopp while implementing fresh tactical ideas.Slot, who arrived last summer from Feyenoord, has brought a dynamic, possession-based style of play that emphasises high pressing and fluid attacking movement.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSHis philosophy aligns well with Liverpool’s aggressive ethos, making the transition smooth and effective.This speaks volumes about the club’s long-term planning and the resilience of the squad.Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes promise after he’s charged for his role in heated Merseyside Derby chaosEven so, Slot and his assistants have created a fully tutored team, one that seems to skilfully cover every blade of grass.Many paths lead to leading scorer Mo Salah, who at 32 is playing sharper football than at any time in an exceptional career.He has abandoned his wild hairstyle, smiles like a happy lad and tidied up his appearance in readiness, I hope, to receive the Ballon d’Or he so cherishes. Watch him, this jinking little fellow cutting in from the right and ­swinging his left-foot shot into the far corner of the net.  It has become one of the great sights in football. Much has been made of Liverpool’s evolution this season. Unlike Arsenal’s over-reliance on key players or City’s struggles without Rodri at times, Liverpool have navigated their absences with minimal disruption.The team subtly tweaked its tactical approach, shifting from the famed ‘heavy-metal football’ favoured by Klopp to a more controlled and balanced system.Trent Alexander-Arnold’s hybrid role has added a new dimension, while the emergence of young talents like Harvey Elliott and Curtis Jones has injected fresh energy into the squad.Slot has also reinforced defensive stability while ensuring the attack remains as potent as ever. Liverpool have found ways to win matches in different styles.They can blitz teams with intensity or manage games with composure.Mikel Arteta and Arsenal have struggled do deal with injury problemsCredit: GettyLiverpool have defied fears they might struggle after Klopp’s exitCredit: GettyAnd that adaptability has turned Liverpool into the most well-rounded side in the Premier League.While injuries have tested Liverpool’s squad depth, their recruitment and squad management have ensured they have the right players at the right time.Unlike Arsenal’s over-reliance on key players or City’s struggles without Rodri at times, Liverpool have navigated their absences with minimal disruption.The return of key players for the final stretch of the season will only strengthen Liverpool’s charge towards the title.While City’s dominance has been built on an empire of limitless spending, Liverpool have had to be smarter. They have built a team, a culture, and an identity that stands apart in modern football.This title, should they complete the job, will be a testament to the squad’s character and the club’s refusal to back down against financially superior rivals.While City’s dominance has been built on an empire of limitless spending, Liverpool have had to be smarter. They have built a team, a culture, and an identity that stands apart in modern football.READ MORE SUN STORIESAs the business end of the season arrives, one thing is clear: Liverpool have the hunger, mentality and quality to reclaim their crown.The writing is on the wall… and it is written in red. More

LIVERPOOL lost a record £57MILLION last season – despite an all-time revenue high.The £9.6m cost of paying off Jurgen Klopp and his coaching staff at the end of a campaign without Champions League football meant the Anfield side posted the loss even though the club grossed £614m in income.Liverpool lost a stunning £57million last season – despite producing an all-time revenue highCredit: AFPThe departure of club icon Jurgen Klopp had a small part to do with the huge lossesCredit: GETTYKlopp and his coaching staff were paid £9.6million at the end of the 2023/24 seasonCredit: GETTYBeing out of the European elite represented the bulk of the £38m drop in broadcast income.Wages rose by £14m to £386m, with the arrivals of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch.But the losses – up by more than £40m from 2022-23 – were mitigated by the opening of the new Anfield Road Stand adding £22m to matchday revenues.There was also a substantial uptick in commercial income, up by £36 million to £308million after four new global partner sponsorship deals were struck.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLLiverpool are on course to make £100m-plus from their Champions League campaign if they get past PSG in this month’s last 16 tie.Chief Financial Officer Jenny Beacham said: “Operating a financially sustainable club continues to be our priority.”And with the continued increase in costs, it’s essential to grow income streams year on year to maintain financial stability.“The global appeal of this football club continues to be phenomenal and is the underlying strength and opportunity we have for continued growth.Most read in FootballJOIN SUN VEGAS: GET £50 BONUSThe arrivals of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister contributed to a £14million increase in club wagesCredit: Rex“We will continue to operate in accordance with football’s financial rules and regulations while maintaining investment opportunities in our operations, infrastructure and players.“Our focus right now is to finish this season as strong as possible, both on and off the pitch, to fulfil our collective ambitions for success.”Ex-Liverpool boss and heavy metal fan Jurgen Klopp soundproofs £6m mansion in Germany’s ‘Beverly Hills’Prem table-toppers Liverpool will be back in action on Wednesday, travelling to Paris to take on PSG in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie. More