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Liverpool's manager requested an encore of Liverpool’s display against Real Madrid as the Premier League champions travel to Manchester City on Sunday. For Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior on Tuesday, read Erling Haaland this coming weekend. Shutting down another of the game’s finest strikers, and securing a third clean sheet in a row, would reinforce Slot's post-Madrid message that Liverpool are still in contention for the major trophies.

Perfect Remedy for Poor Form

The Champions League victory over the Spanish side's La Liga pace-setters, who had 13 wins from 14 matches prior to coming at Anfield, was the perfect remedy for a Liverpool team looking to heal the wounds of the worst run of Slot’s reign. Additionally, it served as excellent groundwork for the challenge ahead at the Etihad Stadium: an opponent 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,” stated Virgil van Dijk, who mastered Haaland at Anfield the previous campaign. “We are facing a high-flying side like today and a striker, like today, who was in form. When that happens you have to be precise and I think we showed we were good as a team defensively.”

Key Factors

Slot’s list for the successful performance against Madrid – and Aston Villa last weekend – were consistent with his analysis of why things went wrong during a run of six defeats in seven matches. More recovery time, not conceding first, and better conditioning of players such as Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley after injury-hit pre-seasons played a part. They backed up his previous arguments and choice to sacrifice 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 defense.
• The welcome reappearance at full-back of Andy Robertson, who has started each of Liverpool’s past three wins, restored calmness and leadership to a defence.
• The German playmaker impressed again in the Champions League but not from the No 10 role he usually plays in the Premier League.

Dominant Display

Szoboszlai was again Liverpool’s driving influence in the midfield. The Hungary captain is excelling currently and has cemented his place as a leader in Slot’s side.

“Dom is consistently reliable,” commented Van Dijk. “His role is crucial. The energy he brings on the pitch is incredible, the skill that he has is outstanding and he is learning each and every game.”

Looking Ahead

The midfielder started in attack alongside Curtis Jones and scored at the Etihad last season as Slot caught City cold by adopting a 4-2-2-2. That win in February took Liverpool well ahead at the summit with 11 matches to play. This weekend they will be chasing the leaders but, as Slot reminded everyone after beating Real, there is a long way to go for Liverpool to stage a recovery.