A draw would not be a bad result in the grand scheme of things, but the Reds cannot pass up the chance to heap more misery on Pep Guardiola
Arne Slot is not messing about. With a massive Premier League game to come against Manchester City on Sunday, the Liverpool boss would have been forgiven for resting some star players for Wednesday's Champions League clash with Real Madrid. But he resisted that temptation.
Slot, though, saw an opportunity to not only maintain the momentum his side have built up over the past few months, but also heap more misery on a team responsible for some of Liverpool's most devastating defeats in recent years – and he took it.
There was simply no let up from the relentless Reds. In fact, they only increased their intensity after a goalless first half. At a time when Slot could have been considering making some changes with one eye on the City showdown, the Dutchman sent his side back out for the second half with even more aggression in their game.
The net result was a stirring 2-0 victory over the reigning European champions that has dealt a serious blow to their hopes of a top-eight finish in this season's league phase. Indeed, as it stands, Madrid are 24th and occupying the final play-off berth ahead of an intimidating trip to Bergamo to face Atalanta.
Of course, that's of little relevance to Liverpool. The only thing that matters to the club and its followers right now is Slot's Reds showcasing the same ruthless streak against City on Sunday by delivering an even bigger blow, a potentially fatal one in fact, to their other great rivals…
GettyNo side-effects
Having won 16 of their 18 games under Slot, Liverpool could have hardly been in better shape going into Wednesday's clash at Anfield. Certain figures in the media were concerned by the effect that Mohamed Salah's contract bombshell might have on the players going into two massive matches – but the misguided Jamie Carragher-led criticism of the Egyptian was actually a source of amusement for the players rather than a distraction.
"Carragher's been getting a bit of stick in the changing room, that's for sure!" left-back Andy Robertson revealed on after Madrid had been swept aside with the kind of stirring second-half showing that is becoming synonymous with Slot.
AdvertisementGettyEgyptian King is key
Of course, Salah squandered a spot-kick during the game, but it was a penalty he had won himself by embarrassing Ferland Mendy with his Lionel Messi-esque footwork, and his overall performance was exemplary.
Salah may have been accused of selfishness by Carragher, but he worked tirelessly for his team all evening, and even picked poor Kylian Mbappe's pocket at one point. The two superstars had something in common in the sense that both missed a penalty on the evening in question but, in terms of effort and efficacy, Salah was operating on a whole other plane to the suddenly fragile Frenchman.
So, there's zero reason to worry about Salah's form being in any way affected by the fact that his contract is up at the end of the season – particularly when one considers that Liverpool's Egyptian King often saves his very best performances – and goals – for games against City.
Getty ImagesDoubts over Darwin
Still, while there are no doubts over Salah's starter status, the same cannot be said for Darwin Nunez. The Uruguayan led the line well against Madrid and annoyed the hell out of Antonio Rudiger & Co. with his movement, pressing and (often embarrassing) histrionics. Slot may well ask him to produce a repeat performance against City.
However, there is a strong case to be made for rewarding Cody Gakpo for another impactful introduction off the bench with a starting spot on Sunday. The Dutchman has been in and out of the team this season, and is playing more in his preferred role on the left wing, and yet he's still scored seven goals – four more than Nunez.
There's a chance, then, that Slot will consider moving Luis Diaz into the middle to accommodate Gakpo out wide – as the Dutchman did to devastating effect against Bayer Leverkusen, when the Colombian winger hit a hat-trick in a 4-0 win.
At this particular point in the time, the rest of the team picks itself – unless injuries intervene.
GettySweating on Konate
There was always a chance that Slot fielding his strongest side against Madrid might end up costing Liverpool against City. After all, it was always going to be a high-quality encounter, and thus physically demanding. Only on Sunday will we really know how much overwhelming the champions of Europe took out of the Reds.
We're also still in the dark over the fitness of both Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley. The former finished the game on Wednesday, but was in real discomfort as he hobbled off after the full-time whistle after seemingly jarring his knee in a collision with Madrid substitute Endrick.
There have been mixed reports over the Frenchman's current condition, but Slot unquestionably needs Konate at 100 per cent, given he's played with an uncharacteristic level of consistency since coming on at half-time in the season-opening win at Ipswich, and his partnership with Virgil van Dijk is one of the key factors in Liverpool's fantastic form.
If Konate is not deemed fit to start against City, Jarell Quansah or Joe Gomez could come into the centre of defence – but neither man boasts anything like the same level of physicality, which will be vital when it comes to containing Erling Haaland.
