Arne Slot has no hair left to lose however the man celebrating his forty seventh birthday might need been left feeling a couple of years older as his Liverpool crew put him via the wringer once more.
Ultimately, nonetheless, Liverpool had been in a position to make it many blissful returns for his or her head coach – however not earlier than one other dose of late drama that has characterised their successful begin to this season.
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The outdated cliche that 2-0 is probably the most harmful lead in soccer is being given new which means by Liverpool, who’ve misplaced this benefit twice within the Premier League this season – to Bournemouth and Newcastle United – and did so once more towards Atletico Madrid within the Champions League.
On every event, nonetheless, Liverpool have pulled again from the brink to win.
Such is the sheer drive of will in Slot’s aspect, in addition to the facility of Anfield on Champions League nights, that there was virtually an inevitability about Virgil van Dijk’s towering header deep into stoppage time that
The Dutchman’s 93rd-minute winner was the fourth objective Liverpool have scored within the ninetieth minute or later throughout all competitions this season, with six of their eight second-half targets this season being scored from the 88th minute onwards.
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Slot was in a position to have fun wildly in his technical space as soon as extra, as he has completed as Liverpool have gained all their video games this season within the final 10 minutes and into stoppage time, however even in triumph he should want that Liverpool wouldn’t depart him and their followers knee-deep in chewed fingernails earlier than they’ll have fun.
Even Liverpool, for all their attacking prowess, won’t be able to carry out this trick each time. Their carelessness can be a priority for Slot, even when they’ve proven 5 instances this season that they’ve what it takes to tug themselves out of hassle.
“A recreation like this could not have gone to a late winner,” Slot mentioned.
“I perceive that is the story of this recreation and the final 5 video games, however for me it’s a totally different recreation than those we performed earlier than. We had so many nice assaults immediately the place we may have scored the third objective.”
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All eyes on Isak however Salah returns to finest
Liverpool’s new £125m striker Alexander Isak confirmed some good touches on his debut however will develop in affect [Reuters]
All eyes had been on £125m British file signing Alexander Isak as he made his Liverpool debut following his transfer from Newcastle United.
He confirmed some candy touches however, inevitably, drained earlier than being substituted after 58 minutes. Isak’s final aggressive membership recreation was on 25 Could for Newcastle, so it’s comprehensible Liverpool are dealing with him with care – and the striker seemed rusty.
If Isak is the brand new Liverpool celebrity, one of many outdated guard confirmed he’s not prepared to face apart simply but as Mohamed Salah shrugged off some early season lethargy to return to his sensible finest.
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He was a relentless menace, additionally hitting the publish after Marcos Llorente pulled one again for Atletico.
Anfield has a particular place in Llorente’s coronary heart after he additionally scored twice when Atletico gained 3-2 in a Champions League last-16 tie in March 2020.
Within the aftermath of that win, Llorente named the canine he gave to his mom ‘Anfield’, and confirmed once more why that is his favorite stadium with an equaliser 9 minutes from time.
Liverpool, as is their wont this season, had been to not be denied.
This time it was Van Dijk who snatched the win for Liverpool – permitting Slot’s birthday celebrations to be accompanied by victory relatively than a irritating draw.
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Isak eases his method into Liverpool life
Isak, understandably, was a way from his finest however confirmed sufficient in 58 minutes to present a golden trace to what riches his future could supply.
Liverpool had been truly 2-0 forward earlier than Isak acquired his first contact in a purple shirt after 10 minutes and there have been anxious groans round Anfield when he was left banging his hand on the turf in agony after Atletico defender Robin Le Normand’s late problem made painful contact with the highest of his foot.
Isak progressively labored his method into the sport, however began to look leggy as the primary half got here to an in depth. He got here out for the second half, but it surely was no shock when he was withdrawn to a beneficiant standing ovation earlier than the hour.
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Slot mentioned: “Within the 60 minutes he performed, he appeared to be fairly match to me. It wasn’t as if after 10 minutes he was already very drained. He may play at this stage fairly nicely after one or two weeks of crew periods.
“He can play soccer and he is a pleasure to observe. That isn’t a shock to me. He was fitter than I anticipated. however the followers cannot get their hopes too excessive. We play thrice per week and that is a bit an excessive amount of for him nonetheless.
“Now we have two nice quantity nines [Isak and Hugo Ekitike] and we’ll use each of them all through their profession right here.”
Isak had two photographs which introduced saves from Atletico keeper Jan Oblak, however probably the most vital takeaway was his hyperlink with one other Liverpool new boy, £116m playmaker Florian Wirtz.
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The pair dovetailed beautifully within the first half to create an opportunity for Jeremie Frimpong, which he couldn’t convert, then Isak’s instinctive flick – together with his again to objective and with out a look – was performed straight into the German’s path, bringing roars of approval from Liverpool’s followers.
Isak and Wirtz linked up 9 instances within the recreation, this small pattern measurement of their work collectively suggesting they are going to be a formidable weapon in Liverpool’s armoury.
It was a quiet introduction for Isak – however sufficient to point out what he’ll deliver.