Liverpool exhibited a blend of disorder followed by a display of composure. The ideal combination of Jurgen Klopp’s high-octane football and the more measured approach of his successor, Arne Slot, creates a fascinating contrast in styles.
Manchester City, the dominant force in contemporary domestic football, appeared trapped in a perfect storm, seemingly adrift and out of the running for a fifth consecutive Premier League title.
Slot’s Liverpool has adopted a more measured and composed strategy, contrasting sharply with the more emotional and impulsive tactics often associated with Klopp. The duo proved to be an overwhelming force that Pep Guardiola’s City struggled to manage.
Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Manchester City has significant implications for the standings, leaving City 11 points behind their rivals. Meanwhile, Liverpool maintains a nine-point lead over Arsenal, who sit in second place.
December has only recently arrived. The Premier League season is in its early stages, completing just 13 matches. Despite the circumstances, it appears highly unlikely that any team could surpass Liverpool, given their current form.
Guardiola and City are in a challenging period, enduring seven games without a victory and facing four consecutive league losses. However, the intensity of the opening onslaught from Liverpool was striking, showcasing a level of ferocity that was captivating and formidable.
Liverpool launched a fierce attack against City, capitalizing on their weakened opponents. In a pivotal moment, goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, stepping in for the sidelined Ederson, was tested early on as Virgil van Dijk’s header struck the post. The breakthrough came when Cody Gakpo capitalized on a precise pass from Mohamed Salah, nudging the ball home at the far post.
The event unfolded in just 12 minutes.
The initial 25 minutes of the match evoke strong memories of Klopp’s most prosperous days, a testament to the team’s potential. In contrast, the subsequent 65 minutes highlighted the tactical control and composure the Dutch manager instilled in the talented squad he took over from his predecessor.
Liverpool’s initial onslaught left City disoriented
In a post-match statement, Slot acknowledged that his team was “close” to achieving perfection.”Ultimately, the outcome is what matters most, but the performance was impressive,” he stated during an interview with BBC Match of the Day.
To win against a formidable opponent such as City, a team must excel in every aspect of the game. The discussion encompasses various defense elements, including high and low defending and build-up strategies, covering the full spectrum of tactical approaches.
The challenges they present are numerous. In every game, teams strive to begin on a solid note; however, our start needed to align with our expectations. The importance of a strong start cannot be overstated, as a poor beginning can turn fans against the team. “A strong opening provides a boost of energy to the players,” one source noted. The presence of the crowd provides an additional boost of energy.
The atmosphere at Anfield was electric as Liverpool launched an early assault that left Manchester City stunned and struggling to respond.
During the opening quarter, Liverpool dominated with 61% possession and registered seven shots, while Manchester City failed to record any goal attempts. Guardiola’s team experienced a notable drought in offensive action, taking 39 minutes to register their first goal attempt. This marked their most extended wait for a shot in a Premier League match since 2010.
Until that moment, the situation had been dominated by relentless assaults, each one following the last in a continuous barrage.
Liverpool’s first-half dominance was evident, with goalscorer Gakpo recording eight touches in the opposition box—equaling the total number of touches by the entire City team during the same period.
Liverpool’s performance throughout the match compelled Manchester City to cover more ground, with Guardiola’s team recording a distance of 111.1 kilometers, while the home side managed 107.2 kilometers. City appeared to need help progressing during a challenging encounter at Anfield.
A blend of traditional Klopp and contemporary Slot
During the 2019-20 season, Liverpool surged ahead to secure their sole Premier League title, amassing 37 points from 12 victories and a draw at this point in the campaign. They held an impressive eight-point lead over Leicester City and a nine-point advantage over Manchester City.
The season has unfolded like a procession, culminating behind closed doors, and it appears that the chasing pack will need something extraordinary to alter this narrative in the current campaign.
Liverpool currently holds a nine-point lead, marking their most significant advantage at the top since the conclusion of their victorious campaign, during which they secured the title with an 18-point margin.
The Liverpool performance exhibited a direct and frantic energy, departing from their usual gradual approach to games. Instead, they unleashed a relentless assault that left Manchester City struggling to respond. Defensive duo Kyle Walker and Ruben Dias found themselves in animated discussions early in the match, seeking solutions to counter the onslaught.
The search for answers remains elusive as Liverpool substitute Darwin Nunez intercepted the ball from Dias, allowing Luis Diaz to break free before being fouled by Ortega. Salah finalized the necessary procedures with just 12 minutes remaining in the match.
The statistics indicated that Liverpool adopted a more direct and pressurized strategy, as evidenced by 14.8% of their long passes, a significant increase from their season average of 9.1% before this match.
This represented a notable shift, blending elements of the traditional Klopp approach with the innovative style of Slot.
Liverpool’s transition from Klopp to Slot has proven successful, securing qualification at an early stage. Specifically, while the situation appeared favorable, one must question the caliber of opponents they had faced.
In a striking display at Anfield over five days, Liverpool decisively overcame both Champions League holders Real Madrid and reigning Premier League champions Manchester City. However, the identical 2-0 scorelines fail to capture the extent of Liverpool’s dominance on the pitch.
Slot’s influence is evident throughout the squad from which Klopp departed
In a dramatic exchange, Guardiola countered the jeers from Liverpool supporters, who chanted that he would be “sacked in the morning,” by raising six fingers, symbolizing his impressive tally of Premier League titles.
He may have indicated the number of defeats he has experienced at Anfield as Manchester City manager during his ten visits, including three draws and just one win—a 4-1 victory achieved behind closed doors during the lockdown in February 2021.
Anfield has consistently posed challenges for Guardiola, and this latest encounter was no exception, leaving City surprisingly outside the Premier League’s top four.
In stark contrast, Slot is enjoying an exceptional start to his season, boasting 18 victories in his initial 20 matches.
Defender Joe Gomez, stepping in for the injured Ibrahim Konate, expressed admiration for Slot and Klopp during an interview with Match of the Day. He remarked, “I think the biggest thing is that he is not trying to fill Jurgen’s shoes or be Jurgen.”
Jurgen’s legacy is firmly etched in the annals of this club’s history, an indelible mark that remains unaltered. Slot has remained true to himself. The atmosphere has been invigorating, with the coaching staff maintaining an optimistic outlook.
“The work is not done.” All victories have yet to be achieved. The initial progress is promising, and he consistently encourages us to pursue further efforts. He is aware of the experience present in the squad and is holding us accountable.
Slot’s influence has permeated the squad left by Klopp, and on this vibrant, victorious occasion, Liverpool and their fans relished the advantages of both legacies.
