Arne Slot known as for a repeat of Liverpool's efficiency towards Actual Madrid when the Premier League champions go to Manchester Metropolis and can little question repeat himself within the coming days. For Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior on Tuesday, learn Erling Haaland on Sunday. Nullifying one other of the sport's most interesting strikers, whereas holding a 3rd clear sheet in a row, would reinforce Slot's post-Madrid message that Liverpool stay within the chase for the most important prizes. They don't embody the Carabao Cup.
The Champions League victory over Xabi Alonso's La Liga leaders, who had 13 wins from 14 video games earlier than their arrival at Anfield, was the right treatment for a Liverpool staff trying to heal the injuries of the worst run of Slot's reign. It was additionally excellent preparation for what awaits on the Etihad Stadium: an opponent that desires to play out, that won't sit in a low block and carries an apparent, rampant risk.
Slot's directions to his staff at Anfield included containing the supply of 18 of Madrid's 26 targets in La Liga this season, Mbappé and Vinícius, each of whom might be glad of a break from Conor Bradley. Offering Bradley hasn't tracked them again to Spain, that's. Liverpool succeeded convincingly, turning into solely the third staff to stop Mbappé from scoring towards them in a season by which the France worldwide has produced 18 targets in 15 appearances for his membership. Haaland has 17 in 13 video games for Metropolis earlier than his reunion with Borussia Dortmund within the Champions League on Wednesday – plus 9 in three outings with Norway. The target is evident for Liverpool of their makes an attempt to stage a repeat on Sunday.
“Will probably be comparable a bit of bit,” stated Virgil van Dijk, who dominated Haaland at Anfield final season when Liverpool adopted up a 2-0 win towards Madrid with a 2-0 defeat of Pep Guardiola's staff. “We face a really in-form staff like immediately and a striker, like immediately, who was in kind. When that occurs you need to be spot-on and I feel we confirmed we have been good as a staff defensively. Defensively we have been very stable. We created good alternatives they usually had a goalkeeper that saved them a few instances.”
Slot's checklist of causes for why issues went proper for Liverpool towards Madrid – and Aston Villa on Saturday for that matter – have been constant together with his explanations for why issues went flawed throughout a run of six defeats in seven video games: extra restoration time between video games, not conceding first and having to take extra dangers, and the bettering health of gamers reminiscent of Alexis Mac Allister and Bradley after injury-hit pre-seasons. They backed up his earlier arguments and resolution in impact to sacrifice the Carabao Cup by fielding a weakened squad towards Crystal Palace. Liverpool's depth and work fee on Tuesday have been noticeably superior to current weeks.
Different causes, particularly linked to a second clear sheet in succession after 10 video games with out one, went unsaid. The return of final season's midfield core of Dominik Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch enhanced the safety to Liverpool's backline. The overdue return at left-back of Andy Robertson, who has began every of Liverpool's previous three wins, restored calmness and authority to a defence that additionally benefited from constant choice. Florian Wirtz loved one other good night time within the Champions League however not within the No 10 function he has occupied within the Premier League. Szoboszlai was once more Liverpool's driving affect within the centre. The Hungary captain is flourishing this season and has established himself as a frontrunner in Slot's facet.
“What you see is what you get from Dom,” stated Van Dijk. “He is essential. The vitality he brings on the pitch is unimaginable, the standard that he has is excellent and he's studying each sport. He's growing into the participant all of us really feel like he might be. He's already exhibiting that for the nation he's enjoying for and it's about holding on doing it for the remainder of the season.”
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Szoboszlai began up entrance alongside Curtis Jones and scored on the Etihad final season as Slot caught Metropolis chilly by switching to a 4-2-2-2. Victory on that February day took Liverpool 11 factors clear on the summit with 11 video games to play. On Sunday they are going to be enjoying catch-up however, as Slot reminded everybody within the wake of defeating Madrid, there may be loads of highway left for Liverpool to stage a restoration.
