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August 25, 2024

Arne Slot Makes Impressive Anfield Debut as Liverpool Defeats Brentford with Ease – EPL

Liverpool now stand alongside Manchester City, Arsenal, and Brighton as the only teams to have secured maximum points from their first two matches of the new Premier League season.

Credits to English Premier League Image Gallery

Arne Slot marked his debut as Liverpool manager with a solid victory at Anfield, as Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah secured a 2-0 win over Brentford on Sunday. Liverpool now joins Manchester City, Arsenal, and Brighton as the only teams to have earned total points from their first two Premier League matches. Slot faces more challenging tests ahead as he takes on the significant task of succeeding Jurgen Klopp, with a trip to Manchester United set for next weekend. However, the early indications are promising for the Dutchman, as his team has yet to concede a goal and demonstrated a substantial array of attacking talent led by Salah.

“Most players are quite used to what we want because it is not too different to what Jurgen did in the past,” Slot remarked, reflecting on their performance after securing a win at Ipswich in the opening weekend.

“We still have to prove a lot against teams that can end up in the top six.”

Slot is anticipated to introduce a style emphasizing possession more than Klopp’s approach, which dominated his nearly nine-year tenure.

Nonetheless, Liverpool’s opening goal was a classic example of Klopp’s signature approach, showcasing his distinctive style.

From a Brentford corner, Salah played a precise pass to Diogo Jota, who then delivered an impeccably timed ball to Diaz. Diaz charged forward and struck a powerful shot into the top corner in the 13th minute.

Salah Stars as Liverpool Edges Brentford; Slot’s Vision Prevails

Beyond that moment, there were only sporadic glimpses of the football style Slot aims to implement during the first half.

Brentford once again felt the absence of Ivan Toney, who is anticipated to depart the club before the transfer deadline on Friday.

Despite missing the England striker, the Bees remained a threat and should have equalized 10 minutes into the second half.

Nathan Collins connected with Mathias Jensen’s inviting cross with a powerful header, but Alisson Becker made a superb save to keep it out.

That near-miss jolted Liverpool into action early in the second half.

Moments later, Collins made a crucial defensive block to prevent Jota from converting Trent Alexander-Arnold’s low cross into a goal.

Vitaly Janelt then made a crucial intervention, using his foot to deny Salah from finishing off a fluid team move.

Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken then made an outstanding save, deflecting Diaz’s powerful shot away from the goal.

As is frequently the case, the Reds relied on Salah to deliver the decisive finish that secured the points and ensured the victory.

This time, the impressive Diaz assisted while Salah timed his run impeccably to stay onside and delicately lift the ball over Flekken.

“In the first half, there is more energy in the other team, then in the second half, it eventually leads to gaps that open up,” added Slot.

“In the end, Brentford no longer had the legs to defend us.”

In the final moments, Slot was celebrated by the 60,000-strong crowd chanting his name—just as Klopp had encouraged them to do during his farewell in May.

Throughout much of last season, Liverpool seemed poised to give Klopp a fitting farewell as they battled City and Arsenal for the title, only to falter in the campaign’s final weeks.

Liverpool supporters have expressed frustration over the absence of new signings as the transfer window approaches its final week, leaving the squad unfortified.

However, they appear to be in the strongest position to challenge City and Arsenal once more if a three-way title race emerges.