Arne Slot Has Just Received the Boost He Needed the Most, as Liverpool’s Change Continues to Yield Positive Results
Arne Slot expressed his satisfaction after his team secured another Champions League victory. Darwin Nunez netted the decisive goal for Liverpool, although he was not the only standout player on the night.
Liverpool have now played twelve matches in this new chapter, winning 11 of them. Slot’s strong start continues to impress, with the loss to Nottingham Forest seeming increasingly unusual with each passing week.
This time, Liverpool triumphed over RB Leipzig, a high-performing team from the Bundesliga. Nunez provided the game’s only goal, while Liverpool’s defence once again proved resilient.
Since Slot took charge, the team has conceded just six goals across all competitions, averaging one every two games.
The new-found stability is undoubtedly the most significant improvement compared to last season. While Jurgen Klopp’s tenure often brought more thrilling matches, they were less consistently conducive to winning trophies. That criticism certainly cannot be leveled at the current setup under Slot.
Liverpool managed to secure a victory in eastern Germany, though some might say they were a bit fortunate towards the end.
Lois Openda struggled with offsides, similar to how Darwin Nunez can at times, and if Xavi Simons had made a couple of better decisions, the result might have been different.
Caoimhin Kelleher had to make a series of remarkable saves, while Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk were more involved than usual.
Nevertheless, Liverpool showed confidence in their defence, managing to keep another clean sheet. So far this season, the team has achieved six clean sheets; last season, it took until November 30 to reach the same milestone, with two of those shutouts coming in relatively easier Europa League group stage games. Excluding matches against Union SG and LASK, Liverpool didn’t get their sixth clean sheet until December 17.
Near the end of the first half, referee Sandro Scharer missed a clear foul on Nunez, which could have led to a 2-0 advantage for Liverpool and potentially ended the contest early. Despite the controversial decision and a lack of intervention from VAR, the error did not affect the outcome of the game.
It remains uncertain whether Diogo Jota will recover in time for the upcoming match against Arsenal, but it seems unlikely. If Jota isn’t available, Nunez will likely continue to lead the attack.
Given the importance of the match at the Emirates Stadium, the potential absence of Jota in the week leading up to it could have raised major concerns.
However, thanks to Nunez’s recent form, the situation seems less worrisome. His performances against Chelsea and Leipzig was outstanding.
In the latter game, Nunez not only scored the crucial goal but also contributed defensively, providing a timely boost for the team.
Since his arrival this summer, Slot has been pushing Nunez to improve various aspects of his game. The two have held regular discussions aimed at elevating his performance. It appears these conversations are already yielding positive results.
Liverpool’s tactical change have led to more frequent clean sheets compared to last season, underscoring the importance of converting scoring opportunities.
At the moment, Slot’s defence, along with Nunez and the other forwards, are forming an impressive and unstoppable unit.
In other news, ‘He is a Brilliant Footballer’: Sky Pundit Says Liverpool Have a Superb Young Talent in Their Ranks; Could Start Tonight
