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Liverpool’s Solid 1-0 Victory Over RB Leipzig: Step Closer to Champions League Knock-Out Round

Liverpool’s 1-0 win away to RB Leipzig in the UEFA Champions League last night provided a glimpse of the team’s evolving style under manager Arne Slot. The Red Bull Arena in Leipzig witnessed a match filled with intensity, frustration, and ultimately, relief for Liverpool fans, as the Reds maintained their perfect record in the group stage. On the latest Post-Match RAW podcast from Anfield Index, host Trev Downey was joined by Dave Hendrick and Guy Drinkel to delve into the game’s key moments, praising the resilience and defensive solidity of the Liverpool squad.

Cagey Start From Both Sides

Trev Downey opened the discussion with a candid admission: “It was an awkward enough watch at times,” he said, reflecting on a game that seemed to lack fluidity early on. Liverpool’s performance was marred by “sloppy play,” a recurring issue that Downey felt was the main cause of Leipzig’s early chances. “We seemed to be the authors of our own misfortunes,” he remarked, pointing to several defensive lapses that could have cost the Reds dearly.

Hendrick agreed, noting that Liverpool struggled in the opening minutes: “The first 15 minutes, we were a little bit slow to get out of the blocks,” he said. RB Leipzig pressed aggressively and managed a few early shots on goal, with Hendrick observing that Liverpool lacked width in their play: “We didn’t seem all that comfortable getting it wide.”

Liverpool’s Defensive Masterclass

Despite the early jitters, Liverpool’s defensive line, led by Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk, once again stood out. Hendrick was quick to praise the duo, labelling them as “just unbelievably good… they’re on a different level to every other centre-back on the planet.” The defensive pairing was crucial in neutralising Leipzig’s attacking threats, particularly the dangerous Xavi Simons and Benjamin Šeško.

Guy Drinkel chimed in on the effectiveness of Liverpool’s high line, noting that Leipzig’s strikers were frequently caught offside: “They don’t know the offside rule,” he joked, referring to Leipzig’s repeated attempts to break through, only to be flagged offside. He added that Leipzig’s lack of discipline in attack ultimately worked in Liverpool’s favour: “It saved us a few times.”

Nunez and Salah: Winning Combination

The game’s only goal came in the 27th minute, courtesy of Darwin Núñez. However, Mohamed Salah played a vital role in the build-up, with Downey highlighting Salah’s brilliant header: “Mo is sort of moving backwards, gets a really nice directed header… Darwin comes along and blasts it in from half a yard, just to make sure.”

While some may have felt Núñez was ‘stealing’ the goal from Salah, Downey dismissed such concerns: “I couldn’t give a ****… If Nunez hadn’t gone for it and the ball hadn’t gone in, we’d be wondering why he didn’t.” The goal, Downey argued, was a product of teamwork and quick thinking, emblematic of Liverpool’s new attacking fluidity under Slot.

Photo: IMAGO

Frustration with Refereeing Decisions

The podcast also touched on some contentious refereeing moments. Leipzig’s Orban escaped punishment for a clear foul on Núñez in the box, a decision that left the panel baffled. Drinkel was particularly scathing: “I just don’t understand how that’s not a penalty… he literally boots him.”

Refereeing controversies have become a familiar theme in Liverpool’s European campaign, and Downey expressed frustration at the lack of VAR intervention: “Is European clear and obvious a different thing? Who knows, it’s all very strange.” Hendrick humorously suggested that perhaps the referee was “worried the Hungarian army would come marching across the hills” if he gave the penalty against Orban.

Slot’s Tactical Approach and Squad Management

The hosts also discussed Arne Slot’s tactical setup and his reluctance to rotate players. Hendrick praised Slot for keeping key players fit, particularly Ibrahima Konaté, who has had his share of injury troubles in the past. “It’s working,” Hendrick said, “this must be the most amount of minutes Konaté has played consistently for Liverpool. Why would we change that?”

Drinkel added that Slot’s approach, though unconventional, was paying dividends: “We’ve won 11 of 12. If it’s working, keep at it.” The lack of heavy rotation may worry some fans, but as Hendrick noted, Slot’s focus on fitness management has kept the squad healthy and performing well across all competitions.

Perfect Start to Champions League Campaign

Liverpool’s victory over RB Leipzig secured their place at the top of their Champions League group, with nine points from three games. Hendrick summed up the result perfectly: “When you go away in Europe and come home with a 1-0 win, that’s perfect… the result is all that really matters here.”

Liverpool’s defensive resilience, combined with the attacking flair of players like Salah and Núñez, gives hope that Arne Slot’s team could be a force to be reckoned with in this year’s Champions League. As Downey put it, “It’s a really powerful start for this new manager.”

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