Wednesday night at Anfield bore witness to a masterclass in modern football as Arne Slot’s Liverpool side dismantled Bayer Leverkusen 4-0 in the Champions League. The emphatic victory left opposition manager Xabi Alonso, himself a former Red, in awe of what he described as a “complete team”.
Slot’s Tactical Triumph
Under the stewardship of Arne Slot, Liverpool have quickly established themselves as a formidable force both domestically and in Europe. The Dutchman’s tactical acumen was on full display against Leverkusen, with his decision to deploy Luis Díaz as a central striker paying rich dividends.
I only have four strikers available at the minute and with the fixture list it is almost impossible to play them all the time. And I think [Jonathan] Tah is one of the best defenders in Germany, if not the best, and he likes to play against a target man so I chose to play Lucho [Díaz] from the left and the middle to surprise him with runs in behind.
– Arne Slot on his tactical setup
Díaz Dazzles with Hat-Trick Heroics
Díaz repaid his manager’s faith in spades, netting a scintillating hat-trick to put the game beyond doubt. The Colombian’s movement and finishing prowess proved too much for Leverkusen’s defense to handle, with Slot singling out Curtis Jones’ pass for the opener as a moment of pure quality.
Alonso’s Painful Homecoming
For Xabi Alonso, the return to his former stomping ground proved a chastening experience. Despite the warm reception from the Anfield faithful, the Spaniard couldn’t hide his disappointment at the result, admitting that the margin of defeat made it difficult to fully appreciate the fans’ welcome.
I have bitter feelings with the game which mean I can’t enjoy the reception too much, but I really appreciated it and was thankful that even after so many years that I come here and I have this bond with the club.
– Xabi Alonso on his Anfield return
Liverpool’s Strength in Both Boxes
Alonso, however, was effusive in his praise for Slot’s side, highlighting their ability to excel in all facets of the game. From their defensive solidity to their clinical finishing, the former midfielder sees a team primed for success.
I think they are a complete team. They are able to defend, to score, they have power in both boxes, they can keep clean sheets and they are able to score with not many chances.
– Xabi Alonso’s assessment of Liverpool
A Promising Season Ahead
With Liverpool sitting atop both the Premier League and their Champions League group, Alonso believes the signs are promising for a memorable campaign at Anfield. While cautioning that it’s still early days, the Leverkusen boss couldn’t help but be impressed by what he saw.
That is a great strength in the Champions League, especially in the next round. They have this power but it is still too early to tell. The team has a good balance. The coach is doing great work so far. It’s looking a promising season but we are still in November.
– Alonso on Liverpool’s prospects
Embracing the Pressure
For Slot, the pressure that comes with managing a club of Liverpool’s stature is something to be embraced rather than feared. The Dutchman recognizes that expectations are always high at Anfield, but believes that this is what makes the club so special.
If you work at any club there is always pressure. We embrace this pressure because that’s what we want, to compete for everything. If you work or play for Liverpool then you have to accept that. The other side is if you work or play here then you can enjoy incredible evenings like this and enjoy it.
– Slot on dealing with pressure at Liverpool
A Night to Remember
Wednesday’s win over Leverkusen will certainly go down as one of those incredible evenings, with Slot waxing lyrical about the atmosphere generated by the Anfield crowd. Even by the stadium’s lofty standards, the Liverpool boss felt that this was a special night.
Last Saturday the atmosphere was impressive, but this was even more impressive.
– Slot on the Anfield atmosphere
The Road Ahead
As Liverpool continue to navigate a packed fixture list that sees them competing on multiple fronts, performances like the one against Leverkusen will only serve to fuel belief that this could be a season to remember for the Reds. With Slot at the helm and a squad brimming with talent, the sky appears to be the limit for this “complete team”.
For Alonso and Leverkusen, the focus will now shift to domestic matters as they look to regroup from this chastening defeat. The Spaniard will undoubtedly have learned much from his evening at Anfield, not least the scale of the task facing any side that comes up against Slot’s well-oiled machine.
As the dust settles on a memorable European night, one thing is clear: Liverpool are a force to be reckoned with, and Xabi Alonso’s seal of approval only serves to underline their credentials as potential Champions League winners. The road ahead may be long and fraught with challenges, but on the evidence of performances like this, few would bet against Slot and his men going all the way.
