After Containing Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, Resurgent Liverpool Target Haaland
Arne Slot demanded a repeat of the team's showing against Real Madrid as the Premier League champions face Manchester City on Sunday. In place of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior on Tuesday, read Erling Haaland this coming weekend. Shutting down another of the world's best attackers, while keeping a third clean sheet in a row, could strengthen the manager's declaration that Liverpool are still in contention for the major trophies.
Ideal Cure for Poor Form
Their European win over Xabi Alonso’s La Liga leaders, who had 13 victories from 14 matches before their arrival at Anfield, was an ideal solution for a Liverpool team aiming to recover from the wounds of a difficult spell of Slot’s reign. Additionally, it served as perfect preparation for what awaits at the Etihad Stadium: a rival that wants to play out, that will not sit in a low block and carries an obvious, rampant threat.
“There will be some similarities,” stated Virgil van Dijk, who mastered Haaland at Anfield the previous campaign. “We are facing a very in-form team like today and a striker, like today, who was in form. When that happens you have to be spot-on and I think we showed we were solid collectively defensively.”
Key Factors
Slot’s list for why things went right against Madrid – and Aston Villa on Saturday – aligned with his analysis of why things went wrong during a run of six losses in seven games. Additional rest, avoiding early goals, and better conditioning of players such as Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley after injury-hit pre-seasons played a part. This supported his previous arguments and choice to prioritize less the Carabao Cup by using rotated players against Crystal Palace.
- The return of last season’s midfield core of Dominik Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch boosted the defense to Liverpool’s backline.
- The welcome reappearance at left-back of Andy Robertson, who has started the last three victories, restored calmness and authority to a back four.
- Florian Wirtz impressed again in the Champions League but not from the No 10 role he usually plays in the Premier League.
Szoboszlai’s Influence
Szoboszlai was again Liverpool’s engine in the midfield. His national team skipper is flourishing currently and has cemented his place as a leader in the team.
“Dom is consistently reliable,” commented Van Dijk. “He is very important. The energy he brings during matches is remarkable, the quality that he has is exceptional and he is learning with every outing.”
Looking Ahead
The midfielder started up front with Curtis Jones and found the net at the Etihad last season as Liverpool surprised City by adopting a alternative formation. That win in February took Liverpool well ahead at the top with 11 matches to play. On Sunday they will be chasing the leaders but, as the manager emphasized after beating Real, there is plenty of road left for Liverpool to mount a comeback.
