Arne Slot’s first game in charge, against Manchester City, was held at Anfield. Liverpool were top of both the Premier League and Champions League, while City came into the big game in the worst possible light, having lost five out of six games prior to the game.
The game was at Liverpool’s pace from the outset, with a first half that broke even with a single goal, but it was a game that could have been a multiple-goal affair. In the second half, the home team slowed down their pressing, but did not let the penalty area do the work for them and took a penalty on the counter to extend their lead to two goals.
Liverpool finished the game as they did, extending their lead to ‘11’ points over City and ‘9’ over second-placed Arsenal. David Moyes, who managed West Ham United until last season, was full of praise for Dutch defender Filsil van Dijk, who made his presence felt in the crucial game.
“His performance today was superb all round. Just with his general play and his positioning. I didn’t see the Liverpool centre-halves go and walk around too much, certainly Van Dijk.”
“He did a great job dealing with the balls coming into the box. Positional-wise, whether it be defending corners or clearing the ball, we all know his strengths are so good but I thought today when he was needed he came up trumps.”
“They never hit the ball in behind very often, Man City, but when they did, Van Dijk’s covering was excellent He’s a brilliant reader of the game, all round he’s a top centre half and everyone’s aware of that. But for me it’s the basics.”
“He’s winning his headers that he should do, he fought Haaland throughout the game, defended the box when he needed to do so, played high when he needed to do so, and actually had a couple of headed chances himself. He was a huge help in both boxes today.”
Match of the Day