Reds humble Real and Slot does what Klopp could not

A few weeks ago, it was possible to look at Arne Slot’s seemingly impressive start at Liverpool, adopt a sceptical tone and ask who they had really beaten.

- RICHARD JOLLY

And now an eloquent answer can be provided in two words: Real Madrid. The kings of Europe, to borrow Pep Guardiola’s phrase, the Champions League holders, the side even Jurgen Klopp never beat.

Some 19 games into his reign, Slot has 17 wins. He already has two great Anfield European nights, the champions of first Germany and now Spain defeated, and Liverpool top the Champions League, their claim to be the best team in Europe right now reinforced not merely by victory but by the manner of it. More energetic and more ambitious than Real, they overcame them for the first time in 15 years.

They did so with starring roles from two of Slot’s understudies. Conor Bradley set up a goal, Caoimhin Kelleher saved a penalty, from Kylian Mbappe no less. Yet even as Mohamed Salah equalled Mbappe in an unwanted respect, spurning his own spot kick, he outworked him, setting the tone for the evening by tracking back to dispossess the Frenchman in the fourth minute and instigating a move that ended with Darwin Nunez having a shot cleared off the line by Raul Asencio.