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Arne Slot demanded a repeat of Liverpool’s display against Real Madrid when the Premier League champions face Manchester City on Sunday. For Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior on Tuesday, substitute Erling Haaland on Sunday. Shutting down another of the game’s finest strikers, while keeping a third clean sheet in a row, could strengthen the manager's post-Madrid message that Liverpool are still in the chase for the major trophies.

Ideal Cure for Poor Form

Their European win over Xabi Alonso’s La Liga pace-setters, who had 13 victories from 14 matches prior to coming at Anfield, was an ideal solution for a Liverpool team looking to heal the wounds of a difficult spell of his tenure. Additionally, it served as excellent groundwork for the challenge ahead at the Etihad Stadium: an opponent that wants to play out, that will not sit in a low block and poses an clear and dangerous attacking prowess.

“There will be some similarities,” said Virgil van Dijk, who dominated Haaland at Anfield last season. “We are facing a very in-form team like today and a striker, like today, who was in form. When that happens you have to be precise and I think we showed we were solid collectively defensively.”

Key Factors

The manager's reasons for the successful performance against Madrid – and Aston Villa on Saturday – were consistent with his explanations for why things went wrong during a run of six losses in seven games. Additional rest, not conceding first, and better conditioning of players such as Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley after injury-hit pre-seasons played a part. This supported his previous arguments and choice to sacrifice the Carabao Cup by using rotated players against Crystal Palace.

• The return of last season’s midfield core of Dominik Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch boosted the defense to Liverpool’s defense.
• The welcome reappearance at full-back of Andy Robertson, who has started each of Liverpool’s past three wins, restored calmness and authority to a defence.
• The German playmaker impressed again in the Champions League but not from the attacking midfield position he usually plays in the Premier League.

Szoboszlai’s Influence

Once more, Szoboszlai served as Liverpool’s driving influence in the centre. His national team skipper is flourishing this season and has cemented his place as a leader in Slot’s side.

“Dom is consistently reliable,” said Van Dijk. “He is very important. The work rate he brings during matches is remarkable, the quality that he has is outstanding and he is developing with every outing.”

Next Challenge

Szoboszlai started up front alongside Curtis Jones and scored at the Etihad previously as Slot caught City cold by switching to a alternative formation. Victory on that February day took Liverpool well ahead at the top with 11 games to play. On Sunday they will be chasing the leaders but, as Slot reminded everyone after defeating Madrid, there is plenty of road left for Liverpool to mount a comeback.