Liverpool manager Arne Slot said it is completely normal for his side to be viewed as favorites to retain their Premier League crown, citing last campaign’s success rather than their close-season transfer activity.
Liverpool, who won the Premier League last season to secure a record-equalling 20th English title, have bolstered their squad with the arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and others.
The Merseyside club, however, have also had Trent Alexander-Arnold leave for Real Madrid, Luis Diaz move to Bayern Munich and Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen, while their Portuguese forward Diogo Jota died in a car crash last month.
“It’s completely normal that we are one of the favorites, because we won it last season,” Slot told reporters ahead of Sunday’s FA Community Shield showdown against Crystal Palace.
“And we brought in good players. Like all the other teams did, by the way. This is what makes this league so nice.”
Liverpool had only signed forward Federico Chiesa from Italian side Juventus in the close-season window last year.
“Every team in the Premier League is spending money. So if we are only favorites because we’ve spent a bit, I would see that as weird because we’ve lost a lot as well. But that we are favorites because we won it last season and we played so well, that’s clear,” Slot said.
“And the ambitions haven’t changed, because the ambition of this club is always to compete for every trophy.”
Liverpool, eyeing a 17th Community Shield title, face FA Cup winners Palace at Wembley.
Slot says Liverpool title favorites due to last season’s triumph, not spending spree
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Slot says Liverpool title favorites due to last season’s triumph, not spending spree
- “It’s completely normal that we are one of the favorites, because we won it last season,” Slot told reporters ahead of Sunday’s FA Community Shield showdown against Crystal Palace
‘Honor of a lifetime’: Kash Shaikh to step down as chairman and CEO of Baseball United
- Baseball United co-founder led the league for nearly four years from its inception through its inaugural season
- Kash Shaikh: It’s been the honor of a lifetime to carry Baseball United from dream to reality alongside so many dedicated and passionate people
DUBAI: Kash Shaikh, co-founder, chairman and chief executive officer of Baseball United, will step down as chairman and CEO from March 1, the league announced on Wednesday.
Shaikh has guided Baseball United since its founding in 2022, launching the first professional baseball league in the history of the Middle East and South Asia, headquartered in Dubai.
Baseball United board members paid tribute to Shaikh, saying that under his leadership the league had built a global brand and fanbase, executed historic events, constructed the region’s first professional baseball ballpark, partnered with international broadcasters and sponsors, introduced regional franchises and official merchandise, and completed an inaugural season that reached nearly 100 million viewers worldwide.
Shaikh said of his time at the helm: “It’s been the honor of a lifetime to carry Baseball United from dream to reality alongside so many dedicated and passionate people. Together, we created something from nothing, and that impact will be felt for years to come. I’m deeply grateful to all of our Baseball United fans, players, coaches, partners, investors and team members who believed in this vision and helped bring it to life. Your names will be forever etched in history as the pioneers who brought professional baseball to Arabia.”
Shaikh also worked closely with national teams, baseball federations and government organizations across Asia and the Middle East to help develop baseball infrastructure, showcase emerging players and energize local communities.
Baseball United co-founder, hall of famer and board member, Barry Larkin, said: “On behalf of the board of directors and the Baseball United organization, I want to express our sincere appreciation to Kash for his service as chairman and CEO. Kash’s hard work and efforts played an important part in establishing Baseball United and bringing professional baseball to the region. We are grateful for the dedication Kash showed in helping to launch this worthy initiative. We wish Kash continued success in his future endeavors.”
Baseball United co-owner, World Series champion and board member, Matt Barnes, said: “On behalf of Baseball United’s board of directors, I want to sincerely thank Kash for his leadership and significant contributions to Baseball United and to the growth of baseball globally. Kash’s work ethic, expertise and passion played a central role in building our brand, launching the league and delivering a historic inaugural season. His range of skills and love of the game were apparent in all of his work, and the foundation built during these formative years will be felt on baseball fields across the Middle East and South Asia for years to come. We congratulate Kash on his successful tenure and wish him and his family all the best in his next chapter.”
Following this month’s transition, Shaikh plans to relocate to Texas with his family before focusing on future entrepreneurial pursuits. Baseball United will continue operations as planned, with further updates about leadership and next steps expected in the coming weeks.
