LIVERPOOL, England -- When Liverpool head coach Arne Slot addressed the media ahead of the Premier League clash with Southampton last weekend, he described the fixture as "the first of three finals."
It was a rallying cry to both players and fans, setting the stage for a week that looked destined to define Liverpool's season. Ultimately, the 3-1 comeback win over Southampton -- coupled with more dropped points for second-place Arsenal in a 1-1 draw against Manchester United on Sunday -- put Slot's side 15 points clear at the top of the table and, with nine games left to play, the Reds are closing on what would be only a second league title since 1990.