All is well and good in the Liverpool camp as they have made a smooth transition to life under Arne Slot.
Indeed, the Reds maintained their perfect start to the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League campaign with a thoroughly deserved 2-0 win over reigning champions Real Madrid. Anfield was rocking on the night as Liverpool had previously suffered their fair share of anguish against Los Blancos in recent years, but they were far better than Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
The hosts were on top from start to finish and there was no surprise when Alexis Mac Allister swept home a 52nd-minute opener following a terrific one-two with Conor Bradley.
Cody Gakpo headed in a reassuring second and Liverpool’s dominance was emphasised by Caoimhin Kelleher who saved Kylian Mbappe’s penalty. On the other hand, Mohamed Salah’s miss from 12 yards only added to the drama, but the Reds were not made to rue that opportunity.
Madrid were kept quiet going forward as Mbappe failed to perform in the kind of game he was signed to be able to shine in. This defeat now becomes Madrid’s third from five games so far in the Champions League as they find themselves clinging onto the final playoff position in 24th, and are in danger of missing out on the knockout phase entirely.
This reality is something that would have been unthinkable given where they were just a few months ago as defending Spanish and European champions who just bolstered their ranks with the best player in the world.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have all but sealed a top-eight finish in the league phase, meaning they should progress directly to the Round of 16. Slot’s side are also clear at the top of the Premier League table and with 17 wins from 19 games in all competitions this season, they look like the real deal under the Dutchman.
The Liverpool manager is not lost on the significance of this result especially as he is still in the opening months of his tenure.
“I wouldn’t say it’s the same as any other one as you know how special it is to play against a club that have won the Champions League so many times, reigning champions as well and dominated Europe for the last few years and were a pain in the backside for Liverpool many times as well”. Slot said after the game.
“We knew it was a big week but if this week is over, next week is a big week again. Not only the result but the way we played, was pleasing to see.
“I didn’t have a schedule in terms of the amount of points. If you start at a new club you want to implement your style of play as soon as possible. That was not that difficult as the playing style is so similar to Jurgen’s, especially without the ball.
Indeed, Slot’s preference for continuity rather than ripping up most of Jurgen Klopp’s blueprint has worked a masterstroke for the Reds who have remained as competitive as ever.
It really feels like a continuation of Jurgen Klopp’s winning machine, but age and time is not on their side as Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s contracts enter the final six months and big decisions need to be made.
Those three remain fundamental to Liverpool’s fortunes this term and their attentions will be best served on the pitch where the Reds are on the verge of achieving something special this season.
Slot has made some interesting tweaks to Liverpool’s build-up play, however, by often inverting the full-backs and making the reinvigorated Ryan Gravenberch a key man in the deep-lying midfield role.
The results have been excellent as Liverpool have beaten Chelsea, avoided defeat at Arsenal, dismantled Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 and now holders Real Madrid are the latest to come short to the Anfield side within the last month.
The Reds are on top of the world
Another test is hot on the heels of this sensational triumph against Los Blancos as Slot’s side come up against Pep Guardiola’s disgruntled Manchester City this weekend. Liverpool are eight points ahead of the second-placed Cityzens who are on a six-game unless run.
The four-time Premier League champions squandered a three-goal lead against Feyenoord who roared back to claim a remarkable draw, leaving City in 17th place in the Champions League league phase.
Following five successive defeats, Guardiola’s side were cruising thanks to a goal from Ilkay Gundogan and a double from Erling Haaland, but they capitulated in the final 15 minutes. Anis Hadj-Moussa, Santiago Gimenez and David Hancko all got on the scoresheet to spoil what would have been the perfect preparation ahead of facing Liverpool.
City became the first team to throw away a three-goal lead after the 75th minute in Champions League history, they are desperately lacking in confidence with each passing game.
Meanwhile, City’s tally of 23 points after 12 Premier League games is their second-worst start to a season and they will be looking to find their customary groove as the second half of the season approaches. There is a feeling that their problems cut deeper, City are scoring fewer goals than ever before under Guardiola and while Erling Haaland has kept delivering the goals, the overall output has been overwhelming.
Phil Foden has been disappointing this season and a lot more is expected of the reigning Premier League Player of The Year.
Elsewhere, a leaky defence is increasingly a big issue for the struggling champions who have shipped in more goals, registered more expected goals against and faced more shots on target than in any other season under Guardiola. There have also been six errors leading to goals in the Premier League and Champions League this term – two more than the whole of last season.
With an all-important win against City on Sunday, Liverpool now have a chance to go 11 points clear of their perennial title rivals to amplify their position as the best team in England, and arguably the best team in Europe too.
Slot’s side have most benefitted from the disrupted seasons Man City, Arsenal and now Real Madrid are suffering and they are best positioned to capitalise. Yet they must be wary of an injury crisis or loss of form disrupting their fantastic momentum.
Everything is looking up for the Reds and the early title showdown against City will point the direction of the title race for the festive period.
