Arne Slot applauded the Kop, embraced Darwin Nunez and then blew two kisses to his proud family in the Main Stand before heading down the tunnel.
What a week for Liverpool’s head coach.
Having masterminded the downfall of European champions Real Madrid, he celebrated another statement triumph, piling more misery on Manchester City in a 2-0 win.
An appreciative, jubilant Anfield left his parents Arend and Fennie, brothers Edwin and Jakko, wife Mirjam and children Isa and Joep in no doubt about their affection for him. They will head home to the Netherlands having witnessed the fruits of his labour and been royally entertained.
Replacing an icon is laced with danger but Slot’s transition, following in the footsteps of Jurgen Klopp, has been seamless.
The former Feyenoord boss has been fortunate to inherit a gifted squad with room for development but he has shaped the talent at his disposal. Played 20, won 18. The reigning champions of Germany, Spain and England have been swept aside by a combined score of 8-0. That isn’t normal.
No fist pumps, no wild goal celebrations, Slot’s understated demeanour is so different from his predecessor. Where Klopp wore his heart on his sleeve, the Dutchman keeps his emotions in check.
But there’s an authenticity to him that supporters have increasingly warmed to. That bond has grown organically since August. As for the players, they love his subtle tactical tweaks, his attention to detail and the clarity of his instructions. They know exactly where they stand with him.
The Anfield crowd salute Slot and Mohamed Salah (Carl Recine/Getty Images)
He’s the man with the Midas touch, juggling his resources effectively and repeatedly making astute substitutions.
A cherished victory over City extended Liverpool’s commanding lead at the top of the Premier League to nine points — the biggest margin anyone has enjoyed at the summit after 13 games since Manchester United (11 points) in 1993-94. But, typically, Slot is ensuring that feet remain firmly on the floor.
“Playing against Real Madrid and Man City, teams that have been and are so good, with managers that have won so many trophies, it’s always nice to come out in both situations as a winner,” he said.
“But the reason these teams won so many things is not that they won once or twice — they were able to win every three days. Winning once or twice — even against these big teams — is not enough to win anything at the end of the season.
“Let’s not get carried away. It’s all about consistency until the end of the season, keeping the players fit and playing with this much energy. There’s a long way to go and so many challenges.”
There are still 75 points up for grabs and injuries remain a concern following the loss of defenders Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley as they prepare for trips to Newcastle United and Everton.
But Liverpool find themselves in a position of strength and even if they stumble, it surely won’t be City relentlessly reeling them in this season. Arsenal and Chelsea are looking like more credible challengers.
Pep Guardiola said he did not expect Anfield’s collective glee at his team’s plight as he was treated to a booming rendition of, “You’re getting sacked in the morning“, but he shouldn’t have been surprised.
Liverpool have suffered so much at the hands of City in the modern era, particularly those title races in 2019 and 2022 when they were agonisingly edged out by a solitary point. They were never going to hold back as they revelled in their rivals’ misfortune.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Slot deserves huge credit for the game plan he assembled. Recalling Cody Gakpo on the left and playing Luis Diaz through the middle worked a treat. Joe Gomez became the latest fringe player to effortlessly fill a void as he started a Premier League game at centre-back for the first time since September 2023 in place of Konate. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s comeback was timely, with Bradley missing, and the vice-captain’s passing range helped expose City’s vulnerabilities.
The first half was the best 45 minutes under Slot. It was reminiscent of Liverpool at their finest under Klopp as they flew out of the traps and swarmed all over Guardiola’s side. They should have been out of sight but somehow only had Gakpo’s close-range finish from Mohamed Salah’s perfect delivery to show for their efforts.
Slot’s fingerprints were all over this dominant performance. Liverpool were sharper in all departments. There was Ryan Gravenberch, reinvented as a swaggering No 6, pulling the strings at the base of the midfield. It was telling how direct Liverpool were as they sought to exploit the space behind City’s overworked back line. The shot count at the break was 10-1.
“I’ve already experienced a few nice moments here as a manager,” Slot said. “But today stood out with the energy we delivered on the pitch and the energy the fans delivered for us. Only being 1-0 up at half-time, we would have loved to see a bigger margin.”
The second half showcased the structure, organisation and sense of control that Slot has installed as the tempo slowed. He has quickly fashioned this team in his own image — calm, confident and measured. Sunday showed they can crank it up or turn it down when required.
City had 66 per cent possession after the interval but barely laid a glove on Liverpool. The visitors didn’t have a shot on target until after Salah’s penalty had put the result beyond doubt, with Liverpool’s domination illustrated in the game timeline graphic below.
Aside from his late error — when Caoimhin Kelleher saved the blushes of his captain, who had lost possession to Kevin De Bruyne — Virgil van Dijk was immense. Erling Haaland, who had just 16 touches throughout, was expertly shackled. Van Dijk repeatedly sensed danger and dealt with it.
The score flattered City. The difference in expected goals (xG) between the teams was even greater than when Liverpool thrashed Manchester United 7-0 in March 2023. Back then it was 2.78 versus 0.82 but on Sunday, it was 3.43 versus 0.83 (below).
As the contract sagas of Salah, Van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold rumble on, Richard Hughes still has much to sort out but the sporting director nailed his first important decision when recruiting Klopp’s successor.
Slot looks the part in every facet of the job, continually underlining his credentials. He is a class act and his Liverpool juggernaut will take some stopping.
(Top photo: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
