Liverpool Face Uncertain Future Even As Premier League Title Beckons

Liverpool are just weeks away from Premier League glory barring a meltdown but there is a palpable sense of anti-climax and uncertainty over the future after a chastening week for Arne Slot's men. On Sunday the anaemic Reds lost the League Cup final to a hungry Newcastle team, just five days after Paris Saint-Germain ended their Champions League campaign. Liverpool were out-thought and out-fought at Wembley by the Magpies, who celebrated their first domestic trophy in 70 years in front of their passionate fans.

Slot was sanguine after the defeat, admitting Eddie Howe's men deserved their triumph.

"This is part of playing football, especially if one of them is when you face the best team in Europe at the moment and the other one is facing Newcastle, which is a very strong team in England," he said.

The Dutchman sought to switch the focus back to the Premier League, highlighting Liverpool's yawning 12-point lead with just nine games to go.

Sixteen more points would guarantee Liverpool the title even if second-placed Arsenal win every game -- the Gunners' visit to Anfield in May is likely to be academic.

It is almost inconceivable that Liverpool will not go on to equal Manchester United's record of 20 English top-flight titles and captain Virgil van Dijk said they do not need extra incentives.

"We have nine games to go and I don't think there's any motivation needed," said the defender. "What is needed is we have to realise there is hard work and still a job to do.

"If you win five games -- obviously that's a very difficult job -- you're going to be champions of England."

At the start of the season Liverpool fans would have been delighted to win just the Premier League in the first campaign after the departure of talismanic