On Wednesday against Real Madrid, Manager Arne Slot expressed his peeve that Liverpool had beaten the Spanish club for the first time in 15 years but did however, maintain his composure appreciating the fact his team had made a perfect start to the tournament.
The game caught fire in the second half as Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo won the clash for the Reds as they bagged a victory against the champions league holders for the first time since 2009.
“As Liverpool found out the hard way many years, it is never easy when faced with a team that has lifted the champions league trophy so many times. That was gone, Slot said in admiration as his squad extended their record to five wins out of five in Europe’s prominent club competition.
“Winning a game is something that’s always desirable, and a big game such as this one is even more desirable because one is confronted by many great players,” he continues. “Five games in the new format is all we have played, we are content with our position, but it’s not a cause for hysteria.”
Surprisingly, two League titles in two rounds make Slot the most winning coach in the history of the Club, even though he succeeded Juergen Klopp, who made great efforts to balance the team and ensured high levels of activity in midfield and attack, which does not deter effective play in defense.
“About the amount of points I needed, I hadn’t planned any, and as it relates to implementing any system of play, one always seeks to do that very quickly. It is not a problem as it was not so different from what Juergen was doing,” he said.
MAN CITY UP NEXT
Bradley, who had the Anfield supporters applauding after sliding in on Kylian Mbappe during the first-half, was singled out for praises by Slot and so was Kelleher, who saved a penalty from the Real forward during the second-half.
Another goalscorer, Mac Allister, already warned about the danger of overconfidence that comes with some, suggesting that Liverpool are now viewed as potential ‘favourites’ to win the Champions League.
“But it is pleasant,” he noted, “but at the same time it doesn’t mean anything because it’s only the first phase,” concerning the recent introduction of new 36-team league format followed by knockout stages.
“Obviously, we are satisfied with our performance, that is the important thing and we will continue to do so.”
Liverpool face Manchester City on Sunday in the Premier League where they have the opportunity to extend the distance with their close domestic competitors to eleven points.
Kelleher commented, “Man City have not been on the best run at the moment but what a team. So we’re going to expect a really tough test again and it’s important we keep winning in the (domestic) league as well to keep that gap.”