I played under Bob Paisley at Liverpool - Arne Slot can win the title but must do one thing

Liverpool icon Mark Lawrenson reckons Arne Slot has a squad capable of winning the Premier League, but he faces an ongoing challenge to keep all of his players happy. Slot has won his first three games as Reds boss, having kept a clean sheet in each to maintain a perfect record.

There have been tempered expectations for Liverpool this season amid their transition in the dugout - from Jurgen Klopp to Slot - with caution placed over a proposed charge for the title. Ahead of the season, most analysts placed Arsenal as the main competitors to Manchester City.

However, some are now considering whether or not Liverpool could upset those predictions after their promising start under Slot. While acknowledging that the campaign is indeed still in its formative stages, Lawrenson says the Reds look capable of going all the way.

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Asked whether he thought the title could be won in Slot's maiden campaign, the ex-Liverpool defender told the Liverpool Echo: "Yes. [Slot is] in a great position, he's an intelligent man and he knows he's in a great position.

"He's started off very well and in those games he's trying to give everybody minutes, which will give you a happy dressing room. Even if they are only playing 10 or 20 minutes, it makes such a difference.

"He must walk into the AXA training ground and think; 'Wow, how well have I done'. He's got big boots to fill, but what a tremendous opportunity for him.

"The way they are playing is very similar to the way that Klopp was. So far so good, [but] we've only played three games... We should win at the weekend and you just keep going."

Lawrenson - who was managed by the likes of boot room heroes Bob Paisley, Joe Fagan and Sir Kenny Dalglish while he was at Anfield - says a top-three finish, and perhaps a trophy, would still denote a good season. He also outlined the importance of player work ethic for match-goers.

He said: "What counts as a good season? Top three, I don't think that will be a problem - unless we have massive injuries and to win a trophy... If they get another one, even better.

"I was lucky to be in a position where we won loads and loads [at Liverpool], but when it was the old boot room, should they come into the dressing room and someone said you will win one trophy this season, they would have snapped your hand off.

"If you won two great, or three, fantastic. Also, the way that you play [is important].

"Punters will accept things like occasionally not playing too well, which happens. But, by the same token, if you're all trying like hell to make it work, they'll accept that."

The summer signing of Federico Chiesa at Anfield means Slot has six attackers at his disposal, which increases to seven when Harvey Elliott - who has been side-lined for around six weeks with a foot injury - is included. And this week, back-up goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher admitted he's eager to leave the club in search of regular game-time with first-choice Alisson, seemingly, immovable between the posts.

Given this, five-time title winner Lawrenson - who similarly played in a Liverpool squad blessed with talent under Paisley and his successors - said there is one piece of advice he would offer Slot regarding his tenure. "[You've got to] keep everybody happy," he went on.

"He's got fabulous players there and a fabulous dressing room, which is a massive thing. If he can keep all of those players happy, especially the lads who are in-and-out a little bit, we've got a chance of winning anything."

Mark Lawrenson was speaking courtesy of Freebets.com the home of betting sites.