Arne Slot has detailed the tactical approach that guided Liverpool to another memorable Champions League victory over Real Madrid.
Alexis Mac Allister’s 61st-minute header from a Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick proved decisive as the Reds claimed a 1-0 triumph over the Spanish giants at Anfield on Tuesday evening.
The result marked Liverpool’s second consecutive win, following their 2-0 Premier League success against Aston Villa on Saturday, which ended a difficult run of six defeats in seven matches. It was also just their fourth clean sheet of the season.
Slot credited the team’s defensive organisation and focus for the victory, particularly their efforts to neutralise Real Madrid’s key attacking threats.
“I told the players they had scored 26 goals in La Liga and Vinicius and Mbappe had 24 goal contributions together,” the Reds head coach said.
“I don’t think you can ever control these two completely but you can do a few things well. We did almost the maximum you can do against these two individuals.
“If you want to have any chance of winning a game you have to defend set-pieces well but great individuals can score goals as well.”
Asked about Liverpool’s back-to-back wins, Slot said: “Both teams played quite similar against us.
“Maybe the difference was that I told the players today that I wanted them to either press really high or go to a low block because Vinicius and Mbappe are for so many reasons incredible players but their timing of deep runs and pace is next level.
“Don’t give away any space in behind and that’s what our last line did very well tonight.
“A very solid defensive performance in both games but it also helps you are not 1-0 or 2-0 down when we had to take extra risks and sometimes a bit exposed.”
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