‘ Liverpool , Liverpool, top the league,’ was the booming chant from the Kop. Arne Slot responded with a clenched fist in their direction. The Dutch coach has enjoyed some exhilarating moments since succeeding Jurgen Klopp.
He’s already tasted glory at Old Trafford and San Siro. He’s watched his side defeat Chelsea at home and rally to secure a precious point at Arsenal . Advertisement But this victory over Brighton felt different.
This was the first time he truly felt the power of Anfield. For 45 minutes, Slot’s Liverpool were appalling. Their lifeless, disjointed, error-strewn first-half performance was devoid of any redeeming qualities.
The loss of Ibrahima Konate after his left arm was accidentally trodden on by captain Virgil van Dijk was the cherry on the top of a tasteless cake. The only saving grace at the break was that Brighton had somehow failed to add to Ferdi Kadioglu ’s sweetly-struck opener. “We didn’t show up at all in the first half.
We were not there,” admitted Slot. The sense of collective angst in the stands was unmistakeable. Arsenal had been beaten at Newcastle and Manchester City were lurching towards a shock defeat at Bournemouth .
There was a growing threat that a golden opportunity to take advantage was going to be carelessly squandered. But then came the transformation. Both on and off the pitch, Liverpool were a different beast in the second half.
Slot’s players triggered it with more urgency, playing with greater tempo and inte.
