Arne Slot insisted he’ll proceed to take a look at “one sport at a time” after main Liverpool to a 4-1 victory over Bayer Leverkusen within the Champions League on Tuesday.
Luis Diaz’s second-half hat-trick together with Cody Gakpo’s 63rd-minute strike spoiled Xabi Alonso’s Anfield return, shifting the Reds prime of the 36-team standings.
Liverpool have now received all 4 of their Champions League video games underneath Slot. It’s solely the second time that they’ve received all 4 opening video games in a single season of the competitors.
The Reds at the moment are prime of each the Premier League and Champions League tables, although Slot was eager to deal with the following process, which comes within the form of Aston Villa on Saturday.
“I don’t know if it was that a lot to do with depth, however we took extra danger,” Slot mentioned.
“They overloaded the midfield so much, and we adjusted at half-time and took the chance to play one v one throughout. We had higher possibilities within the first half and so they weren’t a purpose risk.
“As a lot as this time, how good they’re in Europe, typically a robust goal man is healthier than somebody a bit sooner.
“Curtis Jones did an unimaginable move, after which you’ve got somebody with the tempo of Lucho to complete it off. The move was pretty much as good because the purpose, for my part.
“You don’t look forward as a supervisor within the subsequent three months. You’re all the time one sport at a time. We’ve bought Aston Villa on Saturday, one other robust sport.”
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 5, 2024
Diaz’s treble noticed him turn into solely the second Colombian participant to attain a hat-trick within the Champions League, after Faustino Asprilla for Newcastle in opposition to Barcelona in 1997.
And he insisted that issues have began brightly for Slot at Anfield, however mentioned his team-mates should proceed to carry out to have one thing to point out for it on the finish of the season.
“An important factor is the three factors on this version of the Champions League so we will hold progressing within the competitors,” Diaz mentioned.
“Issues have gone so effectively with the brand new supervisor, it wasn’t straightforward for him to return in and fill Jurgen Klopp’s sneakers.
“Hopefully, we’ll have one thing to point out for it on the finish of the season.
“We’ve got top-quality gamers everywhere in the pitch and I actually loved taking part in in that place at the moment. I’m simply completely happy to be on the pitch.
“I have to go and discover that ball now as a result of I have to hold it someplace particular at dwelling.”
Lucho’s first hat-trick for the Reds pic.twitter.com/BRtD5npq98
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 5, 2024
For Leverkusen, in the meantime, it marked a primary Champions League defeat since 2022, whereas additionally they conceded 4 or extra objectives in an away match within the competitors for the primary time since a 4-2 loss in opposition to Manchester United in 2013.
“It’s painful the end result greater than the efficiency, most likely,” Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso instructed Amazon Prime.
“However that is the Champions League, that is the very best stage, and at the moment it wasn’t sufficient for us.”
However Alonso, who was among the many favourites to take over from Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool in the summertime, was complimentary of Slot’s revolution on Merseyside.
“It’s too early to inform, however I can see that Liverpool have an excellent stability, a really full staff,” he mentioned.
“They work with 11 gamers, and so they have the ability to carry a clear sheet, which is essential within the Champions League.
“Within the Premier League, let’s see. It’s early to inform but it surely’s trying good.”
Alonso, who received the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005, was additionally serenaded by the house supporters at Anfield through the contest.
“I attempted to separate the sport and the ache from the end result from the great emotions to return again. I’m actually completely happy and grateful for that reception,” Alonso concluded.