Arne Slot has good recollections in Marseille. It was right here in 2022 when his Feyenoord facet held on to safe a spot within the Europa Convention League remaining.
On the eve of this week’s sport within the bowels of the Stade Velodrome, he was requested about these recollections. He was additionally bizarrely and rudely requested about Xabi Alonso’s hyperlinks to the Liverpool job.
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Any noise surrounding the way forward for the Liverpool boss was quietened by a trademark European away efficiency from his facet, who added Marseille to Eintracht Frankfurt and Inter Milan because the groups they’ve crushed on their travels this season.
Their unbeaten run of 13 matches (W7 D6) in all competitions might have been uninspiring for the massive half however it’s the longest ongoing streak of any group from Europe’s large 5 leagues. In itself, credit score have to be due for that. Liverpool final misplaced a sport in November.
Crucially for Slot, it was a primary win in a sport that Mohamed Salah began for Liverpool since November 4, after they beat Actual Madrid within the Champions League. It now appears like a line has been firmly drawn after Salah’s interview at Leeds and each participant and supervisor can transfer on for the betterment of the soccer membership.
The fact is that each want one another. Pre-match, Slot instructed TNT Sports activities: “The moments after I did not play him, I used to be making an attempt one thing totally different. We have now missed objectives from all of the ball possession. If there’s one participant within the historical past of Liverpool that may rating objectives, it is Mo Salah.”
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It was an evening the place Salah didn’t add to his membership document of 46 Champions League objectives for Liverpool, despite the fact that he actually ought to have when he fired extensive within the second half, however the assurance with which Liverpool performed in a 4-2-2-2 setup will depart Slot delighted and should properly give him meals for thought for the approaching weeks.
“It says loads about how large an expert he [Salah] is that he will be away for greater than a month with a distinct group and be so match to play 90 minutes for us after someday of coaching,” stated Slot. “He was so near a purpose. It might normally be a purpose from him, but it surely did not hurt us as a result of we scored three.”
With Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai working behind Hugo Ekitike and Salah, it was left for Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez to offer the width down the flanks.
The 2 summer time signings thrived in that respect, with Frimpong’s vitality permitting Salah to give attention to his attacking duties. That stated, the Egyptian did put in a shift out of possession.
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“Salah slotted in properly into Liverpool’s form,” stated Steven Warnock on Match of the Day. “If you wish to get the perfect out of him, you want continuity and consistency, so I feel Slot will use him like this once more. It takes away that defensive accountability, of getting to trace again so far as when he’s out extensive.
“It leaves him brisker and extra harmful when he isn’t working as a lot. Tonight it nearly felt like he was on the shoulder of his defender on a regular basis, sniffing for probabilities, and he received two nice alternatives the place he ought to have accomplished higher.
“Each full-backs had actually good video games, stepping into each instructions. In possession, they have been very excessive. They have been those giving Liverpool the width and being requested to do this facet of the sport. Clearly they’ve to do the defensive facet of issues as properly, they usually each did properly.”
For Slot and Liverpool, the problem stays cope with a low block. Even when former captain Steven Gerrard insisted that Slot should cease speaking about it.
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“I am actually happy for him. It could’t be simple while you’re below that strain,” stated Gerrard. “His ways have been spot on tonight. He deserves a whole lot of reward and credit score. He must cease mentioning low blocks. Low blocks have been occurring in opposition to Liverpool since I used to be enjoying. That is simply the best way it’s.”
“I do know why we’re not constant and that’s primarily to do when a sport is open, it’s utterly totally different than enjoying in opposition to a low block,” Slot instructed TNT Sports activities. “You can’t evaluate that with the sport tonight when each groups wish to press and play out from the again. If we’re inconsistent, it is as a result of we wrestle with low blocks.”
It is unlikely to think about Bournemouth establishing with a low block on Saturday however Andoni Iraola might properly have a look at Liverpool’s latest struggles and determine to take action.
However within the right here and now, this was an evening for Liverpool to savour. And one other great reminiscence for Slot within the south of France.