Liverpool’s title chances were given a huge boost following their 2-0 win at Manchester City.
The Reds hadn’t won at the Etihad for ten years, that however didn’t seem to phase Arne Slot’s men at all as they eased past the reigning champions.
Slot’s change of formation ultimately worked a treat as the Reds stifled City’s threat all evening, with a smart set-piece routine and a clever Dominik Szoboszlai finish enough for the three points.
Liverpool only averaged 34% possession against the Citizens, with Slot’s side intent on soaking up the City pressure and hitting them on the break – something Frank Leboeuf has been keen to praise.
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Frank Leboeuf speaks on ‘majestic’ Arne Slot
Gary Neville praised Liverpool’s adaptability at the Etihad, with the former Man United man claiming that the Reds handled the game expertly.
Fellow former Premier League star Leboeuf has also sung the praises of Liverpool, even claiming their victory was a passing of the torch between Slot and Pep Guardiola.
Speaking on ESPN, the ex-Chelsea defender stated the era of Manchester City’s possession-heavy football is now over.
“The era of Manchester City has proven to be over. I love that, the way I see football has finally won against the way Guardiola sees football. The era of possession, possession and possession – to be annoyed and be bored about watching a game.
“Contrary to Mr Klopp and now with Mr Slot, we see vertical football, fast football, fast reaction and efficiency. Not just possession – that’s what I like. Arne Slot has been majestic everywhere, the tactics today and the personnel he used to win, the set pieces when Salah scored, everything was spot on. Everything was perfect.
“He has shown that the era of success from Guardiola is over. We are now starting a new era where football has to be rethought.”
Steve Nichol says Slot tactics ‘worked a treat’
Manchester City are of course not the giant threat they once were, but to beat them so easily in their own backyard, should not underestimated.
Appearing alongside Leboeuf on ESPN, former Reds defender Steve Nichol put the victory down to Slot’s tactics on the day.
“They have got themselves in this position because of Arne Slot. Today he made the decision not to play a centre-forward, I thought he would have because Jota is fit.
“I understood previously switching Gakpo and Diaz in there because there was only Nunez and Jota, having had their injury problems. But today he decided not to do that and he had Jones and Szoboszlai in between the midfield and the frontline, and it absolutely worked a treat from a defensive point of view.
“Obviously Robertson and Alexander-Arnold were the targets for Manchester City but everyone got around them and made sure they never got the opportunity to hurt Liverpool. Going forward Szoboszlai was running in behind as we saw for his goal. They just got everything right. The tactics were spot on.”
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