Liverpool's Dutch striker Cody Gakpo (second left) celebrates scoring the team's second goal against Real Madrid with teammates. — AFP
Jude Bellingham said Real Madrid were beaten by "the best-performing team in Europe" as Liverpool's dismantling of the Spanish giants set a new benchmark in Arne Slot's impressive start at Anfield. Beleaguered Manchester City are next to face the formidable Reds on Sunday as Liverpool sense a chance to deliver a decisive blow to Pep Guardiola's men in the Premier League title race.
Slot has won 17 and drawn one of his 19 matches in all competitions since replacing the iconic Jurgen Klopp. Liverpool enjoy an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League and are on the brink of reaching the last 16 of the Champions League, being the only team with a perfect record from five games. Defeating Madrid was the most satisfying victory so far, as Slot achieved what Klopp couldn't during his illustrious tenure by leaving the Champions League kings with a bruised ego.
Liverpool had not won in the previous eight encounters with Madrid, including losses in the 2018 and 2022 Champions League finals. "You know how special it is to play against a club that has won the Champions League so many times, is the reigning champion, and has been a thorn in Liverpool's side many times," said Slot. "We are pleased with where we are, but we are not getting carried away by just winning a group-stage game. This club wants more than just winning group-stage games."
Slot described the back-to-back matches against Madrid and City as an "incredible week." Halfway through, they remain unbeaten and are strong favorites to take a significant step towards their second league title in 35 years on Sunday. Even at their peak under Guardiola, City have not won at Anfield since 2003. This version of the English champions is winless in six games and grappling with a crisis of confidence.
City squandered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with Feyenoord on Tuesday, marking Guardiola's first-ever five-game losing streak as a coach. Liverpool have often been at the receiving end of City's relentless consistency in the Guardiola era. Twice, Klopp's teams finished second by the narrowest of margins despite accumulating 97 points in 2018/19 and 92 three years later. Now, they have the opportunity to open up an 11-point lead, a gap that even Guardiola admits would be too wide for his side to overcome.
"Man City is Man City. They are having a tough time now, but they have great players," said Liverpool's top scorer Mohamed Salah. "We have a game against them, so hopefully, we win it and go 11 points clear." In contrast to Manchester United's struggles after the departure of Alex Ferguson, Liverpool have flourished despite losing the much-loved and charismatic Klopp. The German manager explained that part of his decision to step down was that he was leaving the club in a strong position.
Liverpool were on course for a quadruple last season before faltering in the final months due to injuries and fatigue. However, Klopp had rebuilt the team in his final year, and Slot is now reaping the benefits. Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo scored the goals against Madrid, neither of whom were part of Klopp's major triumphs in winning the Champions League and Premier League in 2019 and 2020 respectively. Slot also praised the club's academy for providing depth to his squad after Caoimhin Kelleher and Conor Bradley shone against Madrid, compensating for the injuries to Alisson Becker and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
"We know that the players who come in are crucial to finishing the games, and if you want to win trophies, you need them," said Mac Allister. "Of course, you don't want to be on the bench, but we know that every player here, when he comes in, gives his best for the team." All three teams that have ever held an eight-point lead at the top of the Premier League after 12 games went on to win the title. On current form, Liverpool appear to be an unstoppable force that a struggling City seems incapable of handling.
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