After Neutralizing Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, Rejuvenated Liverpool Target Haaland
Liverpool's manager has called for another performance like the team's showing versus Real Madrid when the Premier League champions travel to Manchester City on Sunday. For Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in midweek, read Erling Haaland on Sunday. Neutralizing one more of the game’s finest strikers, while keeping a third clean sheet consecutively, would reinforce the manager's post-Madrid message that Liverpool are still in the chase for the major trophies.
Perfect Remedy for Poor Form
The Champions League victory over Xabi Alonso’s La Liga leaders, who had 13 victories from 14 games before their arrival at Anfield, was an ideal solution for a Liverpool team aiming to recover from the wounds of the worst run of Slot’s reign. Additionally, it served as excellent groundwork for the challenge ahead at the Etihad Stadium: an opponent that prefers to attack, which doesn't defend in a defensive block and carries an obvious, rampant threat.
“It will be similar a little bit,” stated Virgil van Dijk, who mastered Haaland at Anfield last season. “We are facing a very in-form team like today and a striker, like today, who was on fire. When that happens you have to be spot-on and I think we showed we were good as a team defensively.”
Key Factors
The manager's reasons for the successful performance against Madrid as well as Villa last weekend – aligned with his explanations for why things went wrong during a run of six defeats in seven games. More recovery time, avoiding early goals, and better conditioning of players such as Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley following disrupted preparations were cited. This supported his earlier points and decision to prioritize less the Carabao Cup by using rotated players against Crystal Palace.
- The return of the familiar midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch enhanced the protection to Liverpool’s defense.
- The overdue return at full-back of Andy Robertson, who has started each of Liverpool’s past three wins, brought composure and leadership to a defence.
- Florian Wirtz impressed again in the Champions League but not from the No 10 role he has occupied in the Premier League.
Dominant Display
Szoboszlai was again Liverpool’s driving influence in the centre. The Hungary captain is excelling this season and has established himself as a key figure in Slot’s side.
“What you see is what you get from Dom,” said Van Dijk. “He is very important. The energy he brings on the pitch is remarkable, the quality that he has is outstanding and he is learning with every outing.”
Looking Ahead
Szoboszlai started in attack with Curtis Jones and scored at the Etihad last season as Slot caught City cold by switching to a 4-2-2-2. Victory on that February day put Liverpool well ahead at the summit with 11 matches to play. This weekend they will be chasing the leaders but, as the manager emphasized after defeating Madrid, there is a long way to go for Liverpool to mount a comeback.
