Following Stifling Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, Resurgent Liverpool Hone In On Haaland
Arne Slot has called for an encore of the team's showing versus Real Madrid as the title holders face Manchester City this weekend. For Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in midweek, substitute Erling Haaland this coming weekend. Stopping one more of the world's best attackers, while keeping a third clean sheet in a row, would reinforce the manager's post-Madrid message that Liverpool remain in contention for the biggest prizes.
Ideal Cure for Recent Woes
Their European win over Xabi Alonso’s La Liga pace-setters, who had 13 victories from 14 games prior to coming at Anfield, was the perfect remedy for a Liverpool team aiming to recover from the wounds of a difficult spell of his tenure. Additionally, it served as perfect preparation for the challenge ahead at the Etihad Stadium: a rival that prefers to attack, that will not sit in a low block and poses an obvious, rampant threat.
“It will be similar a little bit,” said Virgil van Dijk, who dominated 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 why things went right against Madrid as well as Villa on Saturday – aligned with his explanations for why things went wrong during a run of six losses 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 played a part. They backed up his earlier points and choice to sacrifice the Carabao Cup by fielding a weakened squad against Crystal Palace.
- The comeback 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, brought composure and authority to a back four.
- The German playmaker impressed again in the Champions League but not in the attacking midfield position he has occupied in the Premier League.
Dominant Display
Szoboszlai was again Liverpool’s engine in the centre. The Hungary captain is excelling currently and has established himself as a leader in Slot’s side.
“Dom is consistently reliable,” commented Van Dijk. “He is very important. The work rate he brings during matches is incredible, the quality that he has is outstanding and he is learning with every outing.”
Looking Ahead
The midfielder started in attack alongside Curtis Jones and scored at the Etihad last season as Liverpool surprised City by switching to a alternative formation. Victory on that February day took Liverpool 11 points clear at the top with 11 games to play. On Sunday they will be playing catch-up but, as the manager emphasized after defeating Madrid, there is a long way to go for Liverpool to mount a comeback.
