Arne Slot’s right selections as he passes first Anfield check with Liverpool win
Any doubt about Arne Slot‘s appointment at Liverpool was washed away on Sunday evening.
Liverpool looked like they did under the glory days of Jurgen Klopp as they carved open Brentford on the counter attack – beating the Bees 2-0. Luis Diaz channelled his inner Sadio Mane, while Diogo Jota slot in for the Roberto Firmino role, and, of course, there was Mohamed Salah.
And as the Reds impressed, taking three points off Brentford, Daily Star Sport looks at what Slot got right as he passed his first Anfield test with flying colours.
Luis Diaz is a brilliant footballer
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
There aren’t too many footballers like Luis Diaz these days, players who just seem like they’re just having fun.
However, Diaz is one of those. He was excellent on Sunday evening, and he thoroughly deserved to net the opening goal for the Reds – using his blistering pace to smash the ball home on a counter attack.
“Diaz is so good its incredible. Carries our attack,” one fan posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. While a second said: “Beautiful footwork. the counter attack is just so amazing!”
Utilising Trent Alexander-Arnold’s passing
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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It’s always the same old story for Trent Alexander-Arnold, we’re full of praise for him going forwards but there are always questions about his defensive ability.
However, that can almost be overlooked by just how good Alexander-Arnold is on the ball. Slot, in two games, is already showing signs of using the Liverpudlian going forward in a way that Gareth Southgate had hoped over the summer.
“There are very few passers that make you go ‘wow’. Trent Alexander-Arnold is one of them,” one fan posted. While a second said: “Trent is ridiculous man! Rivals will tell you he can’t defend which is just a lie! And the guy can spray balls it’s incredible!”
Not wilting under Anfield’s lights
(Image: Getty Images)
Were Anfield’s lights switched on at 4:30pm on a balmy August afternoon? We’re getting off topic here, a first Anfield clash for a new Liverpool manager is a daunting task.
And Slot passed this one with flying colours.
Slot played his own brand of counter attacking football, that earned him so much success in the Netherlands, that left football fans in the stands and on social media gushing.
Unlocking Ryan Gravenberch
(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Back at Ajax, Ryan Gravenberch was touted as the next great central midfield talent set to rule over Europe.
However after an ill-advised move to Bayern Munich and a poor first season on Merseyside, Gravenberch was looking of like a shell of the man he could have become. However, that has all changed under Slot, with Sunday’s clash playing to the beat of the Dutchman.
“Gravenberch is a fine baller. He’s showcasing his quality in that six role,” one said. And another added: “We recreated Rodri in the aggregate with Mac and Gravenberch…”
