Liverpool flip script on Man City to take commanding Premier League lead
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Liverpool manager Arne Slot after the 2-0 Premier League win over Manchester City.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
LONDON – Liverpool have been used to second best during Pep Guardiola’s era at Manchester City, but a 2-0 victory over the champions on Dec 1 left little doubt who are the team to beat in this season’s Premier League title race.
As the Reds head into their next game at Newcastle United on Dec 4 top of the table, City host Nottingham Forest after a sixth defeat in a seven-game winless run.
Arsenal and Chelsea are now Liverpool’s closest challengers, nine points behind, with City 11 back and almost certain to finally lose their grip on the English top flight after an unprecedented four consecutive titles.
Virgil van Dijk says much of Liverpool’s phenomenal success this season is down to the players’ willingness to “go to war” for each other.
Arne Slot’s team have 18 wins in their 20 matches in all competitions and the captain believes the mentality within the squad is a crucial factor, just months after the departure of Jurgen Klopp.
“I think it was always going to be difficult to replace Jurgen for everything he did for us, as players and for the club, but he (Slot) has come in, done it his own way,” said van Dijk.
“Together with the staff, he started working and making sure we have the quality to improve and win games. He makes sure we keep working, are not satisfied, focus on what is ahead of us next and keep improving.”
Liverpool have indeed stepped up a level under Slot.
Klopp brought the Reds back to the top of English and European football – his title triumph in 2019-2020 was the club’s first for 30 years and the only blot on City’s dominance in recent times.
He did much of the groundwork himself, rejuvenating the squad over his final 18 months in charge with the signings of Cody Gakpo, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch.
Slot’s only summer signing, Federico Chiesa, has barely featured due to injury.
But the injection of fresh blood, mixed with the experience of title winners in the prolific Mohamed Salah, van Dijk, Andy Roberson and Trent Alexander-Arnold has proved a winning combination.
Slot has been keen to give Klopp’s legacy credit, but the Dutchman deserves his success for his tweaks so far.
Robertson and Alexander-Arnold’s narrower positions have left Liverpool less vulnerable in transition and contributed to them having the best defensive record in the league.
Gravenberch has shone since being transformed into a holding midfielder, while Gakpo is finally delivering on his potential under his compatriot.
Slot has also managed to keep Liverpool’s momentum rolling despite constant speculation over the futures of Salah, van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold, all of whom are out of contract at the end of the season.
“Now it’s Newcastle (on Wednesday) and (it’s about) doing everything in my power and our power to be ready for a big one there as well,” added van Dijk.
Liverpool are also top of the Champions League with a perfect record from five games, including a memorable 2-0 win over Real Madrid on Nov 27.
Victory over City capped a dream week, but former Feyenoord boss Slot was still keen to use the European and English champions as the benchmark for his side’s aspirations.
“Real Madrid and Manchester City have been and are so good, with managers that have won so many trophies, so it is always nice to come out of those situations as a winner,” he said.
“They were able to win every single three days. We understand what we want to achieve is more than this winning once or twice, if you want to win big things.”
City defender Ruben Dias, meanwhile, believes his team have the character to come through this rough patch of form.
City have been hit hard by injuries to key players such as Rodri, Mateo Kovacic and John Stones but Guardiola has been able to guide the side through injury crises in previous seasons.
“It is a difficult moment, I did see a lot of character,” Dias said after the loss to Liverpool.
“We have been able to be versatile, adapt and keep on moving forward and thinking one game at a time... That is what we need to get back to.” AFP, REUTERS
