New Liverpool manager Arne Slot is working wonders with the Merseyside club a few months after assuming the reins as new manager.
The Dutch has seen off Liverpool to a perfect start to the season. And not only that, he has joined two other former Premier League managers – Jose Mourinho and Sven Goran Eriksson – who have won their first three Premier League games in a season without conceding a goal.
The conversation is now on whether the Dutch can become the first Premier League manager to win his first four league games without conceding. But first, let’s take a look at how Mourinho and Eriksson recorded the feat in the English top flight.
Jose Mourinho
The Portuguese tactician was recruited by Chelsea going into the 2004-05 season from Portuguese club Porto to replace former boss Claudio Ranieri. The Portuguese had quite an impressive CV before his move to England, arriving in London as the reigning European champion manager.
Chelsea fans knew they had signed an enigmatic manager when he declared himself ‘The special one’ on his first day at the club, and the quote didn’t turn out to be a bluff.
Chelsea hit the ground running under their new boss. A 1-0 victory against league champions Manchester United on 15 August 2005, kick-started a new era at the club. Eiður Guðjohnsen’s 14th-minute goal was enough to separate the two sides, 1–0.
The result was followed by another 1-0 away win at Birmingham a weekend later, the solitary goal from substitute Joe Cole proved to be enough for the blues. A few days later, a trip to London neighbors Crystal Palace was next for the Mourinho boys. A debut goal and an effort from Didier Drogba and Tiago respectively were enough to down the eagles, ensuring Chelsea maintained their 100 percent start.
Sven-Goran Eriksson
The swedish gaffer was brought to the English top flight by Manchester City, following his disappointing run with England national team a year before.
He signed with the Manchester side on July 6, 2007, becoming the first Swedish tactician in Premier league history. He got into action almost immediately, recruiting stars like striker Rolando Bianchi, along with midfielders Gélson Fernandes, Geovanni, Martin Petrov, and Elano, and defenders Vedran Ćorluka and Javier Garrido, to bolster his squad.
A trip to West Ham was the first challenge for the new boss. Goals from Rolando Bianchi and Geovanni to secure a 2-0 victory meant he would have a winning start to his Manchester City career.
They played host to Derby County in his next game in charge. Micheal Johnson’s strike meant the City boss’ strong start with his new side would continue in a 1-0 win.
The 100 percent start would extend into their next game against league champions and local neighbors Manchester United. Geovanni grabbed the only goal of the game for the hosts. The result saw Eriksson win all first three games in charge. He was awarded the Premier League manager of the month award for his efforts.
Arne Slot
The Dutchman signed with Premier League and European football giants Liverpool in the 2024-05 season. He joined the Merseyside club following the departure of former manager and club legend Jurgen Klopp.
Despite the lack of reinforcements from Liverpool in the market to back their new manager except Federico Chiesa, Slot has made a strong start to the current campaign.
Premier League new boys Ipswich City were the first test for the Dutchman. Goals from Diogo Jota and Mohammed Salah saw them dispatch the new boys with ease.
They played host to Brentford in their next game, beating the London club by the same scoreline. Luis Diaz and Mohammed Salah grabbed the goals this time.
A trip to Manchester to take on arch-domestic rivals Manchester United followed. A Luis Diaz’s brace and Mohammed Salah’s strike ensured a 3-0 victory and extended Arne Slot’s perfect start to the campaign.
Can Arne Slot become the first manager to win the first four games with a clean sheet?
Not too many people saw Arne Slot starting the season as strongly given his not-so-stellar managerial background.
However, the Liverpool boss has made very good use of available resources at his disposal to churn out results. The likes of Mohammed Salah, Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil Van Dijk to mention a few, have rediscovered excellent form under the dutch manager and not too many would bet against him extending his winning start of the season into four games.
They play host to Nottingham Forest, a game where another win and probable clean sheet will make the Dutch the first Premier League manager to win first four league games without conceding a goal.
