Arne Slot could serve as a dictionary definition for cool, calm, and collected – yet even he must experience moments where his accomplishments at Liverpool leave him surprised.
Perhaps it hits him while he sits in his Aston Martin, caught in the inevitable traffic during his daily commute. Or maybe when he’s confined to his office analyzing clips.
Seven victories from seven and into the knockout stages of the Champions League without a single flaw, top of the Premier League with just one loss, and still competing in both domestic cups. The ‘Q’ word won’t be discussed just yet, but soon it will become a challenging conversation to avoid.
French team Lille, who played the last half hour with 10 men after Aissa Mandi was dismissed, were the latest guest at the so-called ‘Slot penitentiary’ after goals from Mohamed Salah and Harvey Elliott maintained Liverpool’s flawless record in Europe under the Dutch manager.
As the final whistle blew at Anfield, Liverpool appeared set to secure the top position, but a late goal in Lisbon, with Barcelona dramatically coming from behind to win 5-4, meant they would have to wait until next week’s match against PSV Eindhoven to confirm their status as league champions.
How significant that is remains to be seen, as does Liverpool’s desire to win the group stage of this new-style Champions League – the Swiss model system that fans, players, and managers still seem uncertain whether they love or dislike.
Mohamed Salah scored his 50th Champions League goal for Liverpool on Tuesday night.
It was seventh heaven for Arne Slot, who boasts a 100 percent record in the Champions League.
Harvey Elliott (right) played a crucial role in Liverpool’s seventh consecutive win in Europe this season.
Lille may not be a household name at Europe’s top level, but Bruno Genesio’s team is no pushover – fifth in Europe and third in Ligue Un – and arrived at Anfield on a 21-match unbeaten streak. While that run included nine draws, it’s fair to say the 2021 French champions are a tough challenge.
There had also been a created debate regarding Salah’s form after the Egyptian had gone three matches without a goal or assist. Admittedly, after scoring 38 in his first 27 matches of the season, a two-week drought feels like a full-blown crisis for a player of his caliber.
However, tough times never linger long for Salah, and he soon returned to doing what he does best: curling a shot from the right side of the box with his left foot. Curtis Jones deserves recognition for slicing through the defense like a hot knife through butter with his pass from deep.
That marked Salah’s 50th European goal for Liverpool – he already leads that list in the club’s history, nine ahead of Steven Gerrard – and it should have been 51 just before halftime as Lille was again opened up by a long ball, this time from Luis Diaz, but he shot wide.
‘Special, that is the word to describe Mo’s performance at this club,’ said Slot. ‘He has been exceptional at this club for so many years.’ When asked if he could score another 50 European goals for Liverpool, Salah himself replied: ‘I’m not sure about that, but I’ll give it my best!’
Salah, Darwin Nunez, Jarell Quansah, and Alexis Mac Allister lined up to miss opportunities to extend the lead, and it felt like it was just a matter of time before a second goal came. Those thoughts intensified on the hour when Mandi received a second yellow card for a poor tackle on Diaz.
Down to 10 men and a goal behind at Anfield, it felt like Lille had a monumental task ahead. Yet out of nowhere, with their very next action, they equalized with their first shot on target.
Salah’s opener set the Reds on the path to a hard-fought victory over the French team.
Jonathan David leveled the score in the 62nd minute when Lille were down to 10.
Liverpool didn’t have a standout game, but as it seems to be in the Slot era, they didn’t need to.
Lille struggled at Anfield but still caused some issues for Liverpool – whether they had 10 or 11 men on the pitch.
Their challenge was heightened when Aissa Mandi received his marching orders after a poor tackle on Luis Diaz.
Slot has quickly become the envy of Europe as his Liverpool team continues to dominate both at home and away.
Hakon Haraldsson saw a shot blocked by Tsimikas, and Jonathan David, a regular in transfer gossip columns, followed up to net the rebound.
Those who traveled from northern France were now in good spirits, but their team led for only five minutes. Substitute Elliott unleashed a bold effort from 25 yards after a clearance fell to him, and, with the help of Ngal’ayel Mukau’s unfortunate outstretched leg, it found the net.
