Better than the Special One! Jose Mourinho warned ‘greatest managerial debut season’ about to be eclipsed as Arne Slot & Liverpool threaten to overshadow exploits of ex-Chelsea boss

Liverpool are sitting 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League table and look certain to go on and claim the crown in their first season since Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp at the helm. The Reds are also into the final of the Carabao Cup and will take on Newcastle at Wembley.

The Reds were the strongest team in the first round of the Champions League, too, finishing top of the 36-team table. Should the Anfield side go on to claim both trophies, ex-midfielder Danny Murphy is sure it will see Slot overshadow Jose Mourinho's domestic double-winning debut campaign with Chelsea in 2004-05.

"If Slot can win the domestic title and enjoy success in Europe, it will have to go down as the greatest managerial debut season we’ve ever witnessed, surpassing Jose Mourinho when he burst through Chelsea’s doors as the ‘Special One’ back in 2004," he wrote in The Daily Mail.

"But the statistics don’t lie. Liverpool have lost only four matches all seasons. Two of them — against PSV and Tottenham — didn’t matter because they are still in the Champions League and reached the Carabao Cup Final anyway. It was a virtual reserve team that lost at Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup which makes the home Premier League defeat against Nottingham Forest, back on September 14, the only consequential loss with a full line-up.

"What is even more worrying for Liverpool’s rivals is they’re not running out of steam. They had as much energy against Newcastle on Wednesday night as in any other game this season. It is a testament to the way Slot’s sides control matches. This Liverpool don’t waste resources — the balance between attack and defence has been perfect."

Liverpool had the weekend off due to their early elimination from the FA Cup and are next in action against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.