LIVERPOOL made it two wins from two in this convoluted start to the new Champions League season.
Arne Slot’s Reds are now fifth out of 36 teams in the group phase table and are one of seven teams to still boast a perfect record after two games.
Whatever the foibles of this new Champions League format, Liverpool could not have asked for a better start under their new manager, having defeated AC Milan away from home in their opening game.
On top of this, Liverpool top the Premier League table after six games, but Slot is not taking anything for granted and believes Liverpool can still improve.
“You are always aiming for perfection, but you will probably never reach this, but we can improve, we have to improve, that’s clear,” Slot said after goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah gave Liverpool a 2-0 win.
“There are also many positives to take from tonight and also from the other games. There was a spell in this game that we didn’t control, and they were threatening us more than I would like to see, but again this is normal.”
Slot is now the first Liverpool manager in history to win eight of his first nine games.
Though he looked pleased with the achievement, he played it down, hoping that he will be remembered for something more than what he did in his first nine games.
“I don’t draw many conclusions, but it is nice because so many incredible managers have worked here doing so many special things,” he said.
“I am hoping to do more special things than winning eight out of nine games! But it says a lot about many things.
“It also says a lot about how Jurgen [Klopp] left this club, the squad I inherited, how much work the players put in and how much my staff helped me to get these results.”
Liverpool now face a busy few months with two or three games per week most weeks and more difficult tests than those they have already faced.
By the end of December, we will know much more about this new Champions League format and also know more about how Slot is able to manage such a hectic, demanding schedule.
