Following Neutralizing Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, Rejuvenated Liverpool Focus On Haaland

Arne Slot has called for an encore of the team's showing against Real Madrid when the Premier League champions travel to Manchester City on Sunday. For Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior on Tuesday, substitute Erling Haaland this coming weekend. Neutralizing another of the game’s finest strikers, and securing a third clean sheet consecutively, would reinforce the manager's declaration that Liverpool remain in the chase for the biggest prizes.

Perfect Remedy for Recent Woes

Their European win over the Spanish side's La Liga pace-setters, who had 13 wins from 14 matches prior to coming at Anfield, was an ideal solution for a Liverpool team looking to heal the wounds of a difficult spell of his tenure. Additionally, it served as excellent groundwork for what awaits at the Etihad Stadium: an opponent that prefers to attack, which doesn't defend in a defensive block and carries an obvious, rampant threat.

“It will be similar a little bit,” said Virgil van Dijk, who mastered Haaland at Anfield the previous campaign. “We're up against 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.”

Reasons for Success

The manager's reasons for the successful performance against Madrid – and Aston Villa on Saturday – aligned with his analysis of why things went wrong during a run of six losses in seven games. Additional rest, avoiding early goals, and the improving fitness of players such as Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley following disrupted preparations were cited. They backed up his earlier points and choice to prioritize less the Carabao Cup by using rotated players against Crystal Palace.

• The return of the familiar midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch enhanced the protection to Liverpool’s backline.
• The overdue return at full-back of Andy Robertson, who has started each of Liverpool’s past three wins, brought composure and leadership to a defence.
• Florian Wirtz enjoyed another good night in the Champions League but not from the attacking midfield position he has occupied in the Premier League.

Szoboszlai’s Influence

Once more, Szoboszlai served as Liverpool’s driving influence in the midfield. The Hungary captain is excelling currently and has established himself as a key figure in the team.

“What you see is what you get from Dom,” commented Van Dijk. “His role is crucial. The work rate he brings on the pitch is incredible, the skill that he has is outstanding and he is developing each and every game.”

Next Challenge

The midfielder started up front alongside Curtis Jones and scored at the Etihad previously as Liverpool surprised City by switching to a alternative formation. That win in February put Liverpool 11 points clear at the top with 11 games to play. This weekend they will be chasing the leaders but, as the manager emphasized after defeating Madrid, there is plenty of road left for Liverpool to stage a recovery.